Named after the road that surrounds it, Carrow Road has been the permanent home of Norwich City since 1935.
Prior to this, Norwich had played at “The Nest”, but the physical limitations of the site, formerly a disused chalk pit, meant expansion was not possible. The club began looking for alternative accommodation in 1926, finally having their hand forced when a corner of the pitch sank as much as 30ft after old chalk works collapsed. An attempt to fix the problem with the railway sleepers and the floor failed to impress the FA, who wrote to the club on 15 May 1935, saying The Nest “was no longer suitable for large crowds and action must be taken.”
The club found a new site, about half a mile south of The Nest, and began work on June 11, 1935. Initial materials were obtained by demolishing the old “Chicken Run” section of The Nest, with the rubble thrown like a bank at the river end of the new land. Work progressed rapidly, with most of the stands and terraces being built by August 17. A practice match took place on August 26 with work still in progress and, after just 82 days, on August 31 the ground was opened for a Second Division game against West Ham United which Norwich won 4-3 in front of just under 30,000 fans.
The stadium has since undergone major construction work on no less than six occasions, most notably when the City Stand was destroyed by fire in 1984, with the Geoffrey Watling City Stand opening three years later in its place. The completion of the South Stand in 2004 marked the conclusion of the stadium’s redesign, although a Holiday Inn, tucked away on the corner of the Barclay and the South Stand, was built three years later.
DID YOU KNOW?
On October 29, 1938, King George VI watched twenty minutes of the home game against Millwall, the first time a ruling monarch had watched a Second Division game.
HOW TO GET HERE
The easiest way to reach the ground from central London is to take the train from Liverpool Street. The journey does not require any changes and takes approximately 1h 45 minutes.
national railway
Norwich station is located less than ten minutes walk from Carrow Road. On exiting the station, turn left and follow Koblenz Avenue to reach the stadium or walk straight through the traffic lights and through the Riverside Leisure complex (see below) to reach the stadium.
Bus
First Group provide city and county wide bus services to Norwich. Norwich Coach Station is located approximately one mile up Carrow Road on Surrey Street (NR1 3NX). Park and Ride services are also operational around the city centre.
Norwich is directly linked to London via National Express coach services from Victoria and London Stratford to Norwich Coach Station.
Auto
Norwich City Football Club is signposted along the main roads entering Norwich via the A11 (south) and A47 (west), with postcode NR1 1JE.
STADIUM AREA
Resident parking systems are in place on the streets around Carrow Road and this is strictly enforced and identified by street signage. If you park in these areas, you will be fined. Parking at Morrisons adjacent to the stadium is reserved for shop customers only, with penalties imposed for misuse of this parking lot.
CAR PARK
Parking is available at County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DW, a 10 minute walk down Carrow Road. No pre-booking available.
Price per match is £6, pay on the day by card or cash.
STADIUM INFORMATION
The away supporters area is located in blocks F, G and H of the South Stand, turnstiles 51-57, next to the Holiday Inn.
Bags larger than 40cm x 35cm x 19cm (small bag/handbag) will not be allowed in the stadium.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Carrow Road is a short walk from the Riverside Leisure Complex, which has an array of high street restaurant chains, a Lloyds Bar, supermarket and even a bowling alley if you have plenty of time to spare. The commercial park is en route from the station to the stadium.
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