Selhurst Park - Nottingham Forest 10/11

[PatFromSouthCarolina]

Looking for advice here. My wife and I will be making the pilgrimage to Selhurst Park for the Forest match on 10/11. We want to have the full Palace experience as this is the bucket list trip and something we've been planning and saving for a few years now. With the game at 2pm, what time should we leave London (staying in the Tower Bridge/Bermondsey area)? Obviously we want to take in the whole pregame atmosphere. Clifton Arms is still the place to be? What are the chances of us getting in? What do we need to experience at or around the stadium before we go in, etc? Hopefully the construction isn't too bad yet that we miss out on anything.

And full disclosure here before I get accused of being a dumb American Johnny-Come-Lately Tourist...I became a Palace fan of May 5, 2014. I stumbled on a Premier League match between Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst on ESPN. Liverpool was at the top of the table or close to it and up 3-0. Pretty boring late, then all of a sudden Palace scored 3 goals in like 10 minutes. I never heard a stadium so loud on TV before. I decided right then that I was a Palace fan and Damien Delaney was my favorite player. Fast forward to 2021, I watched When Eagles Dare and it was the first time I really understood the club's history, and it became an obsession and I havent missed a match since. Hell, I bought season tickets two years in a row to MLS here in America and drove 100+ miles each way to Charlotte just to be able to see Wilfried Zaha play in person for Gods sake.

I don't know how many foreigners generally come to the matches, but if anyone runs into two people who look lost and have very southern American accents, please say hello.

Sorry in advance for taking up space on the board, but this is a huge deal for us, and any help is appreciated.

 

[ASCPFC]

I drink in Croydon, get a breakfast, walk to the ground and get a pint or two in the ground. There are a load of choices about what to do. Where are you staying? I always stay in Premier Inn East Croydon. So handy from Gatwick. I walk it slowly and drink on the way. Then at the ground, then after. That's the true experience - all day drinking. Eat some crap (or go somewhere like the Oval Tavern). Home for Match of the Day. Or not when we lose. I only watch it when we win.
I'm not sure there's only one way to watch the games these days. I'd say Wetherspoons but think it could still be closed for refurbishment. Cheap drink, cheap pretty rubbish food, awful place, cheap drink, cheap drink.

 

[MrRobbo]

Looking for advice here. My wife and I will be making the pilgrimage to Selhurst Park for the Forest match on 10/11. We want to have the full Palace experience as this is the bucket list trip and something we've been planning and saving for a few years now. With the game at 2pm, what time should we leave London (staying in the Tower Bridge/Bermondsey area)? Obviously we want to take in the whole pregame atmosphere. Clifton Arms is still the place to be? What are the chances of us getting in? What do we need to experience at or around the stadium before we go in, etc? Hopefully the construction isn't too bad yet that we miss out on anything.

And full disclosure here before I get accused of being a dumb American Johnny-Come-Lately Tourist...I became a Palace fan of May 5, 2014. I stumbled on a Premier League match between Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst on ESPN. Liverpool was at the top of the table or close to it and up 3-0. Pretty boring late, then all of a sudden Palace scored 3 goals in like 10 minutes. I never heard a stadium so loud on TV before. I decided right then that I was a Palace fan and Damien Delaney was my favorite player. Fast forward to 2021, I watched When Eagles Dare and it was the first time I really understood the club's history, and it became an obsession and I havent missed a match since. Hell, I bought season tickets two years in a row to MLS here in America and drove 100+ miles each way to Charlotte just to be able to see Wilfried Zaha play in person for Gods sake.

I don't know how many foreigners generally come to the matches, but if anyone runs into two people who look lost and have very southern American accents, please say hello.

Sorry in advance for taking up space on the board, but this is a huge deal for us, and any help is appreciated.

I wouldn't say there is anything around the stadium to experience. But I suspect you may want to go to the club shop etc, and might want to be in the ground earlier.

Personally I'd I'd skip breakfast and get to East Croydon for about 10.30. Go to Boxpark (next door) for some grub and a couple of pints, and then hop back on the train to Selhurst. Its 10 mins in the opposite direction from the ground, but my favorite pub is the Pawsons. Get there for 12ish, drink there until 13:30 and then wander up the ground.

 

[mileend]

I guess you have the international members package to guarantee you can get some seats. You've chosen a good match as there will be extra spice to this game given our recent history, almost all off the pitch, with Nottingham Forest. Actually I'd call them Notts Forest just to annoy them. They hate that.

I don't think supporters resent foreign visitors coming to the games in principle except the capacity at Selhurst means tickets are harder to get. So the club misses out on casual local fans getting them which doesn't help build the fanbase. The annoyance is particularly for tourists who've paid a lot of money to see ANY premier league game. You have built a connection so that's great. Crystanbul was an excellent place to start.

For your visit I guess the fanzone will still be gone and some of the bars in the main stand are not open due to construction. Other posters will know more.

Likely you will get the train from London Bridge if you are around Bermondsey. There are direct trains to Norwood Junction. They only take about 15 minutes. Not sure about the Sunday service though. As for not missing out on the traditional pre-match experience a lot of that depends on how much alcohol you consider is normal to consume and if you are deeply concerned about the source of exact ingredients in football food.

All the pubs nearby will be packed. From Norwood Junction Station there is the Cherry Trees opposite the station. The Yeha Noha bar up on the right and the Craft Beer cabin around the corner on Selhurst Road. If you want to meet other Palace fans then maybe strategically you could get there early. Say, noon, grab a table with empty spaces and you are sure to have people wanting to sit down next to you.

I hope you have a great experience. If you do that means we will have won or at least not lost and for this game that result will be on an emotional level one of the most important of the season. Can't guarantee you'll see any amusing Tifo though.

 

[est1905]

Looking for advice here. My wife and I will be making the pilgrimage to Selhurst Park for the Forest match on 10/11. We want to have the full Palace experience as this is the bucket list trip and something we've been planning and saving for a few years now. With the game at 2pm, what time should we leave London (staying in the Tower Bridge/Bermondsey area)? Obviously we want to take in the whole pregame atmosphere. Clifton Arms is still the place to be? What are the chances of us getting in? What do we need to experience at or around the stadium before we go in, etc? Hopefully the construction isn't too bad yet that we miss out on anything.

And full disclosure here before I get accused of being a dumb American Johnny-Come-Lately Tourist...I became a Palace fan of May 5, 2014. I stumbled on a Premier League match between Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst on ESPN. Liverpool was at the top of the table or close to it and up 3-0. Pretty boring late, then all of a sudden Palace scored 3 goals in like 10 minutes. I never heard a stadium so loud on TV before. I decided right then that I was a Palace fan and Damien Delaney was my favorite player. Fast forward to 2021, I watched When Eagles Dare and it was the first time I really understood the club's history, and it became an obsession and I havent missed a match since. Hell, I bought season tickets two years in a row to MLS here in America and drove 100+ miles each way to Charlotte just to be able to see Wilfried Zaha play in person for Gods sake.

I don't know how many foreigners generally come to the matches, but if anyone runs into two people who look lost and have very southern American accents, please say hello.

Sorry in advance for taking up space on the board, but this is a huge deal for us, and any help is appreciated.

You're very welcome. Enjoy the experience. And when you return say Hi to Bonecrusher Smith. The only guy I've ever met that is from South Carolina. Gave our Frank Bruno one Hell of a headache back in the mid Eighties!

 

[BromleyMonkey]

You're very welcome. Enjoy the experience. And when you return say Hi to Bonecrusher Smith. The only guy I've ever met that is from South Carolina. Gave our Frank Bruno one Hell of a headache back in the mid Eighties!

Actually I think Pat’s picked a good one, it should be a bit ‘lively’ outside and inside the ground with all what’s happened

 

[PatFromSouthCarolina]

Actually I think Pat’s picked a good one, it should be a bit ‘lively’ outside and inside the ground with all what’s happened

Yeah, I didn’t choose this game based on the opponent, it just happened to be the only week in the fall that we could make it happen. Just makes it that much better…As soon as I got confirmation from the ticket office that we were good to go, I booked it. Hate I’m missing the HF though. Any suggestions for the Arthur Waite stand? All I know is we’ll be in block Y.

 

[PatFromSouthCarolina]

I guess you have the international members package to guarantee you can get some seats. You've chosen a good match as there will be extra spice to this game given our recent history, almost all off the pitch, with Nottingham Forest. Actually I'd call them Notts Forest just to annoy them. They hate that.

I don't think supporters resent foreign visitors coming to the games in principle except the capacity at Selhurst means tickets are harder to get. So the club misses out on casual local fans getting them which doesn't help build the fanbase. The annoyance is particularly for tourists who've paid a lot of money to see ANY premier league game. You have built a connection so that's great. Crystanbul was an excellent place to start.

For your visit I guess the fanzone will still be gone and some of the bars in the main stand are not open due to construction. Other posters will know more.

Likely you will get the train from London Bridge if you are around Bermondsey. There are direct trains to Norwood Junction. They only take about 15 minutes. Not sure about the Sunday service though. As for not missing out on the traditional pre-match experience a lot of that depends on how much alcohol you consider is normal to consume and if you are deeply concerned about the source of exact ingredients in football food.

All the pubs nearby will be packed. From Norwood Junction Station there is the Cherry Trees opposite the station. The Yeha Noha bar up on the right and the Craft Beer cabin around the corner on Selhurst Road. If you want to meet other Palace fans then maybe strategically you could get there early. Say, noon, grab a table with empty spaces and you are sure to have people wanting to sit down next to you.

I hope you have a great experience. If you do that means we will have won or at least not lost and for this game that result will be on an emotional level one of the most important of the season. Can't guarantee you'll see any amusing Tifo though.

Yes on the International Membership. I’ve had it a few years just to keep up with the press conferences, and listen to non-Premier League matches, etc. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the people at the box office have been through this whole experience.

Planning on taking the train in, so basically once I get off and head toward the stadium, there will be no shortage of places to grab some beers with fans going to the game? I just want to make sure we get there in plenty of time and don’t miss out on anything that we need to see.

Also how much alcohol is considered normal for a pregame? Haha. And is there any “football food” we need to stay away from? I’d rather not spend the entire game in the toilet.

 

[mileend]

Yeah, I didn’t choose this game based on the opponent, it just happened to be the only week in the fall that we could make it happen. Just makes it that much better…As soon as I got confirmation from the ticket office that we were good to go, I booked it. Hate I’m missing the HF though. Any suggestions for the Arthur Waite stand? All I know is we’ll be in block Y.

It will be a great atmosphere in the Arthur Wait and will be pretty loud so you won't miss the HF as much and block Y means you'll be a decent distance from the Forest fans who will also be in that stand

The usual advice for the Arthur Wait is not to wear expensive footwear if you are expecting to use 'the facilities' - that is - go to the toilet

The view isn't great at the back because of the extended gantry built for all the cameras needed. Like almost everything at Palace it's a bit old fashioned, no frills but for an authentic traditional football experience - I'm not sure there are many places like it left

You'll be able to get a pint in the Arthur before the game but I've found no chance at half time unless you are prepared to miss some of the football.

 

[Foxy82]

I have nothing else to add...

 

[Forest Hillbilly]

It's likely you might be arriving at Norwood Junction train station (Do not, under any circumstances get off the train at "Crystal Palace" as that is miles away from the ground.
I probably would aim to arrive around 11ish, so you are relaxed and not rushing around orientating yourself. Lots of pubs, as people have mentioned. The Cherry Trees is right outside Norwood Junction station. - Check any pubs near your destination station. They are only 15 minute walk to the ground (allow for drinking time). Others have mentioned the Pawsons Arms, Clifton Arms (next to the ground), The Whitehorse. Just check the ones en-route to the stadium.
Beer and food available in the ground also
The club shop is worth a visit, obviously.
Don't wear your best clothes if the toilets are still leaking in the Arthur. 🙂

Have a great time and hope it lives up to your expectations 🙂

 

[Eagle-Trucker]

I drink in Croydon, get a breakfast, walk to the ground and get a pint or two in the ground. There are a load of choices about what to do. Where are you staying? I always stay in Premier Inn East Croydon. So handy from Gatwick. I walk it slowly and drink on the way. Then at the ground, then after. That's the true experience - all day drinking. Eat some crap (or go somewhere like the Oval Tavern). Home for Match of the Day. Or not when we lose. I only watch it when we win.
I'm not sure there's only one way to watch the games these days. I'd say Wetherspoons but think it could still be closed for refurbishment. Cheap drink, cheap pretty rubbish food, awful place, cheap drink, cheap drink.

Im booked in to the Premier Inn in East Croydon for the Forest game, flying ouy of Shannon. I walk to the ground, kind of a pilgrimage. Walk past my old School (Saint Mary's) in West Croydon , after the game just go into any pub and get merry and have a pee on the gates of the school on the way back . My Mrs drags me kicking and screaming to the Witgift the next day to see all the future Doctors and Engineers making deliveries on their electric scooters .

 

[Aray]

Looking for advice here. My wife and I will be making the pilgrimage to Selhurst Park for the Forest match on 10/11. We want to have the full Palace experience as this is the bucket list trip and something we've been planning and saving for a few years now. With the game at 2pm, what time should we leave London (staying in the Tower Bridge/Bermondsey area)? Obviously we want to take in the whole pregame atmosphere. Clifton Arms is still the place to be? What are the chances of us getting in? What do we need to experience at or around the stadium before we go in, etc? Hopefully the construction isn't too bad yet that we miss out on anything.

I’d say get to the ground 30-45 mins before the match to soak up the pre-match vibe.

Definitely have a drink in one of the pubs in the area as the amenities in the AW are quite basic, and don’t wear suede shoes…

I never drink near Norwood Junction so can’t advise you on that area.

But the Selhurst end…Your suggestion of the Clifton Arms is a good shout. Good but busy pub and serves alright food, from memory. It does get very busy so get there no later than midday. Actually 11:30! It’s 5 min walk to the AW straight up Holmesdale Road. Simples!

But there is also the Dark Horse (refitted and good food) or Pawsons Arms (not sure if it does food). Both south of the ground and 15 mins walk.

Have a good trip!

 

[Hannes]

But there is also the Dark Horse (refitted and good food) or Pawsons Arms (not sure if it does food). Both south of the ground and 15 mins walk.

Is this the former Two Brewers?

 

[Forest Hillbilly]

Is this the former Two Brewers?

Yes, The Dark Horse was the former 2Bs And it's got good reviews 👍

 

[silvertop]

I drink in Croydon, get a breakfast, walk to the ground and get a pint or two in the ground. There are a load of choices about what to do. Where are you staying? I always stay in Premier Inn East Croydon. So handy from Gatwick. I walk it slowly and drink on the way. Then at the ground, then after. That's the true experience - all day drinking. Eat some crap (or go somewhere like the Oval Tavern). Home for Match of the Day. Or not when we lose. I only watch it when we win.
I'm not sure there's only one way to watch the games these days. I'd say Wetherspoons but think it could still be closed for refurbishment. Cheap drink, cheap pretty rubbish food, awful place, cheap drink, cheap drink.

Not just me then

 

[silvertop]

Looking for advice here. My wife and I will be making the pilgrimage to Selhurst Park for the Forest match on 10/11. We want to have the full Palace experience as this is the bucket list trip and something we've been planning and saving for a few years now. With the game at 2pm, what time should we leave London (staying in the Tower Bridge/Bermondsey area)? Obviously we want to take in the whole pregame atmosphere. Clifton Arms is still the place to be? What are the chances of us getting in? What do we need to experience at or around the stadium before we go in, etc? Hopefully the construction isn't too bad yet that we miss out on anything.

And full disclosure here before I get accused of being a dumb American Johnny-Come-Lately Tourist...I became a Palace fan of May 5, 2014. I stumbled on a Premier League match between Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst on ESPN. Liverpool was at the top of the table or close to it and up 3-0. Pretty boring late, then all of a sudden Palace scored 3 goals in like 10 minutes. I never heard a stadium so loud on TV before. I decided right then that I was a Palace fan and Damien Delaney was my favorite player. Fast forward to 2021, I watched When Eagles Dare and it was the first time I really understood the club's history, and it became an obsession and I havent missed a match since. Hell, I bought season tickets two years in a row to MLS here in America and drove 100+ miles each way to Charlotte just to be able to see Wilfried Zaha play in person for Gods sake.

I don't know how many foreigners generally come to the matches, but if anyone runs into two people who look lost and have very southern American accents, please say hello.

Sorry in advance for taking up space on the board, but this is a huge deal for us, and any help is appreciated.

Stay somewhere nice like an Air B+B in Wandsworth Common. Just a few stops on the train to Selhurst.

If this is your first visit to these shores, the myth about British food is just that. A myth.

TripAdvisor or whatever will direct you to cracking eateries wherever you are in the Capital. You wont want to go back home (save that you will have visited Croydon).

Pubs. On the way enjoy the experience in all the football pubs with correspondingly dreadful quality booze.

Nearer your home, if you want to experience a proper old pub with decent quality ale (don't just drink fizzy lager like most American visitors) look up a boozer closest to your hotel on the CAMRA web site.

And ale is not "warm". It is cellar cool. American mass produced beer (not the quality micro brewery stuff) is sold ice cold to disguise the "taste" as your sensors are less picky for the very cold.

 

[PatFromSouthCarolina]

Stay somewhere nice like an Air B+B in Wandsworth Common. Just a few stops on the train to Selhurst.

If this is your first visit to these shores, the myth about British food is just that. A myth.

TripAdvisor or whatever will direct you to cracking eateries wherever you are in the Capital. You wont want to go back home (save that you will have visited Croydon).

Pubs. On the way enjoy the experience in all the football pubs with correspondingly dreadful quality booze.

Nearer your home, if you want to experience a proper old pub with decent quality ale (don't just drink fizzy lager like most American visitors) look up a boozer closest to your hotel on the CAMRA web site.

And ale is not "warm". It is cellar cool. American mass produced beer (not the quality micro brewery stuff) is sold ice cold to disguise the "taste" as your sensors are less picky for the very cold.

First time abroad. We’re staying at the Premier Inn Tower Bridge. My travel agent, ChatGPT, told me that is the area closest to Chelsea in New York City. Neighborhood feel, but close enough to the touristy stuff that I can get there easily. Also, I’m amazed at how much more affordable hotels are in London. A crappy, to slightly above crappy hotel in NYC or Vegas is $400-500 a night. We got 5 nights for right at $800 total.

We love bar food, so I think the pubs will be right up our alley. I’ve heard all the stories about hot beer and bad food, but I have an open mind. Honestly, as long as the beer is flowing and I can find a good burger and wings, I’m good. Also looking forward to trying real fish and chips. Now onto beer, what is the UK version of a typical American domestic. I’m talking Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, etc?

One thing I am very picky about when I travel is that I don’t want to eat or drink where the tourists go. We prefer the local hole in the wall tavern wherever we go. I’m sure we’ll stick out like sore thumbs, but we try to blend in with locals as much as we can.

I’m very nervous, but excited for the trip. We travel the big cities in the US regularly, but it’s the first time to Europe.

 

[Eagle-Trucker]

I have nothing else to add...

Wanker Suarez didnt shake hands with one of our players that night .

 

[silvertop]

First time abroad. We’re staying at the Premier Inn Tower Bridge. My travel agent, ChatGPT, told me that is the area closest to Chelsea in New York City. Neighborhood feel, but close enough to the touristy stuff that I can get there easily. Also, I’m amazed at how much more affordable hotels are in London. A crappy, to slightly above crappy hotel in NYC or Vegas is $400-500 a night. We got 5 nights for right at $800 total.

We love bar food, so I think the pubs will be right up our alley. I’ve heard all the stories about hot beer and bad food, but I have an open mind. Honestly, as long as the beer is flowing and I can find a good burger and wings, I’m good. Also looking forward to trying real fish and chips. Now onto beer, what is the UK version of a typical American domestic. I’m talking Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, etc?

One thing I am very picky about when I travel is that I don’t want to eat or drink where the tourists go. We prefer the local hole in the wall tavern wherever we go. I’m sure we’ll stick out like sore thumbs, but we try to blend in with locals as much as we can.

I’m very nervous, but excited for the trip. We travel the big cities in the US regularly, but it’s the first time to Europe.

Seriously, fish and chips by all means, but anyone who leaves without having a decent curry has not visited. A proper walk into Brick Lane from your hotel, there are still some decent ones left amid the hipster and retro chic vibe.

I implore you not to go for the "typical domestic" beer. It's pish. Drink real ale. You get to try them in proper boozers before you buy. The summery gold ales will probably be closest to your taste.

The CAMRA site or the Good Pub Guide will steer you away from the tourist hell holes and towards pubs that could be medieval in age.

However, for the pre-match footy pubs (see other recommendations up thread), the beer is less good and you can indulge in Fosters, Heineken or the rest of that industrial effluent to your hearts content. Those places are more about the pre-match buzz and less about tastefully filling your boots.

PS as a foreigner, you will not stick out like a sore thumb in London I can assure you.