Parking & Pubs for Hillsborough

A few tips for folks coming down the A61 next Tuesday.
Parking
Street parking restricted once you’re past Wadsley Bridge WMC. Residents only, or pay for parking.
The area around Leppings Lane has changed a fair bit since we last played there. The retail park on the left as you approach is 3 hours parking maximum, and is one of those camera surveillance car parks. Same with the new Sainsbury’s. You can risk Hillsboro Leisure Centre, but they do check sometimes when you park up. That said, a lot of folks seem to park on the pavements around the leisure centre and get away with it. You can pay for parking in Hillsborough Park.
Pubs
Basically there is no official away fans pub at Hillsborough for local derbies (The Railway Tavern used to be it but I think they try and avoid it for local games)
The White Horse (formerly Mr Qs) which was always a sh*thole is now boarded up. No away fans allowed any closer. The Norfolk Arms on the A61 at Grenoside has recently changed hands and now serves Stancil Ales. It’s much improved. The Red Lion over the road is freezer food pub grub. Much better is the Old Red Lion in the Village where you’ll get a really nice home cooked meal, with guest ales and wines. The Angel and The Old Harrow are a bit rough these days, but The Cow and Calf (Sam Smiths) is good for a cheap a pre match beer. There's also a WMC, but I've never been in.
There’s The Fox and Hounds pub at Fox Hill which is about as close to the ground as you’ll get, but it is real Wednesday territory, and in a pretty rough area. Loads of Reds fans in there last time though, but ended up with a police escort. It’s about there that street parking turns into police cordoned areas.
Other options for pubs are the ones nearer town around Kelham Island. (Fat Cat, Kelham Island). The New Barrack Tavern is good but always packed. Avoid anything near Hillsborough Corner.

 

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