Binocular/s at the ready as Crewe travel to Yorkshire to see them play at Rotherham. Here’s a quick guide as to how to get there and suggestions as to where to go.

How to get there

Directions by road

Leave the M1 at Junction 34 and take the A6178 towards Sheffield City Centre. Keep straight on the A6178 (Attercliffe Road) and you will reach the stadium (you can see the floodlights in the distance) on your left. After passing the stadium turn left at the next traffic lights into Worksop Road and then left again for the stadium entrance. There is matchday car parking available at Pic Toys, which is on Worksop Road. The car park which costs £3 per car is sign posted. Otherwise there is plenty of street parking to be had on the right hand side of the Attercliffe Road, opposite the stadium.

Please note that Junction 34 is also the turn off for the Meadowhall Shopping Centre. So allow a little extra time for your journey, as the traffic can be quite heavy coming off the motorway.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Meadowhall which is slightly closer than Sheffield Station which is around  two and a half miles away. It is then four stops on the Supertram to Don Valley from Meadowhall.

However most fans are likely to end up at Sheffield Station.  Travelling from Crewe most journeys require a change at Stockport and then on to Sheffield.   Again it s probably easiest to take the 15 minute journey on the Supertram from the station to the stadium. For adults the cost is £3 return.

Drinking around the Don Valley

Just outside the main stadium entrance are two pubs more or less opposite other, one called the Cocked Hat and the other called Faras'. However the Cocked Hat is for home supporters only, whilst Faras does allow in away fans.  Also close to the stadium is the Britannia on Worksop Road, which runs up to the back of the Stadium’s Main Stand. Its a fairly average pub. If fans travelling on the tram from the city centre, stay on the tram for one more stop past the stadium, or for those driving in from Meadowhall and the M1, then there are few more family orientated pubs, including one with a Wacky Warehouse'.

The area along Attercliffe Road towards the city centre, has a number of pubs and eating establishments, but is quite run down and isn't that welcoming. There are also a number of 'establishments' dotted along this road, which probably sums up the mood of the area. One exception though is the Carlton at 563 Attercliffe Road, which is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, and is located not that far away from the Attercliffe tram stop, or around a 15 minute walk away from the stadium. The pub is a small two roomed pub, that has six hand pulled real ales on offer, that were in good condition and reasonably priced too. To get to this pub, then on the main Attercliffe Road with the stadium behind you, turn left along this road (passing the handy 'Don Valley' chippy) and eventually near some shops you will reach the pub on your right. A lot closer to the stadium at 882 Attercliffe Road is the Greyhound.

Going along Attercliffe Road heading away from the city centre (back towards the Motorway) are also a number of pubs in walking distance. There is the large Arena Park, which also does food. A little further on and set back on the left is the Wentworth, which is a small pub with a beer garden, that also shows Sky Sports. Further still is the interesting Carbrook Hall, which is reputedly haunted. Unfortunately this pub does not admit children Under 14 and doesn't open until 7pm on weekday evenings. You can find out more information on the Carbrook Hall website. Also in this area are KFC and McDonalds outlets. Otherwise alcohol is on sale inside the stadium.

Alternatively, have a drink around Sheffield prior to getting the tram to the ground.  Numerous pubs around the railway station which cater for all needs.

Ground Facilities

Away fans are housed in a separate block of seating to one side the Main Stand. Away fans on arriving at the stadium main entrance, are directed to a walkway that goes along the back of the Main Stand car park, to the other end of the Main Stand, where there is a block of turnstiles. After the game away fans do not exit by the same route, but are directed around the inside of the stadium and leave via an exit gate across the end from where the away fans are located, bringing you back down onto the main Attercliffe Road.

As the stadium is sunken into the ground, then this means that you enter the stadium, half way up the Main Stand. The rear of the away section is covered, with open seating in the lower tier. Fans are set well back from the pitch because of the running track surrounding it, which is not great. Also apart from a few of the most popular games, only the Main Stand and away section is open, meaning that you look out onto an empty looking stadium. The leg room is fine and the stewarding relaxed. Atmosphere, as to be expected really, with small crowds and a largely empty ground, isn't great, although the acoustics in the away end are not bad.

The facilities inside the stadium are modern, clean and pretty good. The Club have put together a makeshift bar in an indoor area behind the stand. A range of Pukka Pies are usually on offer . Alcohol is also available on draught in the form of Strongbow, Carlsberg and Tetley Bitter and Wine.