While England is known for being football crazy, our passion for sports extends far beyond the back of the net and into the realms of horse racing, rugby, cricket and tennis too. The south west is home to a large variety of sports venues and stadiums that are bursting with exciting events for you to attend.
So, whether you’re a football fanatic or go crazy over cricket, check out our list of must-see sports venues in the region. Find out more about which venues are the most popular, the types of events that place in each and how to get there with South Western Railway.
Horse Racing Venues
Ascot
Queen Anne Enclosure
Loved by the Royals and known best for its world-famous Royal Ascot, Ascot Racecourse should be top on the bucket list of all horseracing fans. Ascot’s 600,000 yearly guests include celebrities, sports stars and members of the royal family, making it the place to be if you’re after a day out with a touch of glitz and glamour.
Ascot is your nearest station, and from there it’s just an 7 minutes’ walk to the venue.
Epsom Downs
Races at Epsom Downs Racecourse
As the biggest horse racing venue in the UK, Epsom Downs Racecourse can certainly draw in a crowd—120,000 people a year to be exact. From days filled with thrilling, top-quality races, to concerts on a balmy summer’s eve, this venue has so much to offer.
Epsom Downs is located in Surrey, and Epsom is the nearest SWR station to the racecourse. From here, you can catch the E5, 460 or 480 bus to the sports arena.
Kempton Park
From the biggest UK venue to one of the smallest, Kempton Park Racecourse only has the capacity for 750 guests-- ideal for those looking for a more intimate, exclusive feel. With almost 100 meetings every year and a unique track that sees riders race on the right-hand side, there’s plenty to do for families and groups of all ages.
The closest station to the racecourse is Kempton Park, in Surrey. From here, it’s a short, five-minute walk to the sports venue.
Sandown Park
Parade Ring
Ideally located just 15 miles from the centre of London, Sandown Park Racecourse makes for a fun day out or weekend activity this summer. Like Kempton Park, Sandown Park also features a smaller capacity and a right-handed racetrack for a distinctive racing experience.
A renowned favourite of the Royals, Sandown Park was often frequented by the Queen’s mother, so a day out to the racecourse might even find you in royal company.
The nearest train station to this sports venue is Esher, which is just a 15 minutes’ walk away from the racecourse.
Rugby Stadiums
Twickenham
Rugby match at Twickenham Stadium
As the official home of England Rugby, Twickenham Stadium is the number one place to visit if you’re a fan of this sport. Hosting some of the biggest games in rugby including the Rugby World Cup final back in 2019, Twickenham has an unsurprisingly large capacity of 82,000, meaning that when the stadium is packed, you can expect an electric atmosphere.
Twickenham station is the closest train station to the sports venue, which is just 13 minutes away by foot.
Wembley Stadium
This internationally recognised, world-class sports arena is best known for its iconic arch, which stands at 133-metres tall and is visible right across London. You might be aware that Wembley serves as both a football and rugby stadium, but aside from making a top sporting ground, Wembley also hosts concerts by some of the biggest artists in the world.
The closest SWR train station to Wembley is London Waterloo. From there, you can take the Jubilee line on the underground to Wembley Park station, which is just a 15 minutes’ walk away from the stadium.
Football Stadiums
Plough Lane Stadium
Not to be confused with the home of the famous tennis tournament, Plough Lane Stadium is home to football club AFC Wimbledon and is virtually brand new, having only being built back in 2020. With a capacity of 9,300, the stadium is the perfect host for the winter’s exciting league games.
Earlsfield and Wimbledon are the closest stations to the stadium. Whilst Earlsfield is within walking distance of the gates, the 493 bus takes you directly from Wimbledon station to the stadium in under 10 minutes.
Huish Park Stadium
Any football fan will tell you that nothing beats the buzz of supporting your team from the stands alongside your fellow fans, and Huish Park Stadium certainly provides the atmosphere. Home to Yeovil Town F.C, the stadium was completed back in 1990 and has seen many national and international games played there since. With a drummer and trumpeter present for many of the games, you’ll be able to belt out your team’s chants to your heart’s content.
The nearest station to the sports stadium is Yeovil Pen Mill, which is two bus rides away from the sports venue. From the station, take the X11 bus to Kingston For Hospital and change onto the 51 bus from here to Ford Park. Ford Park is a nine-minute walk away from the stadium.
Vitality Stadium
As the chosen grounds of Bournemouth Football Club, Vitality Stadium—otherwise known as Dean Court—is currently the smallest Premier League sports stadium. But what it lacks for in size it makes up for in character, and you can always expect packed stands and a great atmosphere in Vitality Stadium.
Pokesdown is the nearest station, and it’s a 17-minute walk to the venue from the station. Alternatively, the number 2 bus or Unibus U3 can both get you there in about 12 minutes.
Tennis Courts
All England Club
There’s nothing more classically British than a day out at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, and as the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, it’s a sporting event that you don’t want to miss.
Wimbledon is the nearest station to the tennis courts. The sports venue is 21 minutes away by foot, or you can take the Wimbledon Tennis Shuttle bus, which will get you there in around six minutes.
Cricket Grounds
The Oval
Some of the world’s most famous international cricket games have taken place in The Oval, which is the home of Surrey County Cricket Club. If you know someone who’s a big fan of cricket, when why not treat them to one of The Oval’s fascinating grounds tours, where you can retrace the footsteps of some of cricket’s sporting legends.
The closest station to The Oval is Vauxhall. From there, it’s a nine-minute bus ride. You can take either the 36, 185 or 436 bus from Vauxhall Bus Station to Oval Station, then it’s just a three-minute walk.
Motor Racing
Thruxton Circuit
As the UK’s fastest track for motor racing, Thruxton Circuit is the perfect place to go for some heart-pumping, adrenaline-filled action. Hosting iconic motorsport events including British Touring Cars and Formula 3 racing, this venue is strictly for the thrill-seeking sports fans.
Grateley is the nearest station to Thruxton Circuit. From Grateley station you can get the number 5 bus to a stop called War Memorial, which is a 20-minute walk from Thruxton Circuit.
The many stadiums, venues and arenas in the south west provide the perfect entertainment for sports fans of any age. Explore our flexible range of ticket types to find the right one for your journey. Find cheap train tickets to your chosen sports venue by going off-peak, and those with a Railcard or travelling in a group could save even more.
