Named after the road that surrounds it, Carrow Road has been the permanent home of Norwich City since 1935.
Prior to that, Norwich had played at 'The Nest' but the physical limitations of the site, formerly a disused chalk pit, meant that expansion was not possible. The club began looking for alternative accommodation in 1926, their hand forced finally when one corner of the pitch subsided up to 30 feet after old chalk workings collapsed. An attempt to patch up the problem with railway sleepers and soil 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 measures must be taken".
The club found a new site, about half a mile south of The Nest, and began work on 11 June 1935. Initial materials were sourced by demolishing the former "Chicken Run" section of The Nest, with the rubble dumped as a bank at the river end of the new ground. Work proceeded quickly, with most of the stands and terraces built by 17 August. A practice match was held on 26 August with work still in progress, and, after just 82 days, on 31 August, the ground was opened for a Second Division fixture against West Ham United which Norwich won 4-3 in front of just shy of 30,000 fans.
The stadium has since undergone major building work on no fewer than six occasions, most notably when the City Stand was destroyed by fire in 1984, with the Geoffrey Watling City Stand opened three years later in its place. The completion of the South Stand in 2004 marked the conclusion of the stadium’s overhaul, though a Holiday Inn, nestled in the corner of the Barclay and South Stand, was constructed three years later.
DID YOU KNOW?
On 29 October 1938, King George VI watched twenty minutes of the home game versus Millwall, the first time a ruling monarch had watched a Second Division match.
HOW TO GET THERE
The easiest way to reach the ground from central London is by rail from Liverpool Street. The journey requires no changes and takes around 1h 45 minutes.
National Rail
Norwich Train Station is located less than ten minutes on foot from Carrow Road. When walking out of the station turn left and follow Koblenz Avenue to reach the stadium or alternatively walk straight over at the traffic lights and through the Riverside Leisure complex (more below) to reach the stadium.
Bus
First Group provide city and countywide bus services into Norwich. Norwich Bus Station is located approximately one mile from 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 Bus Station.
Car
Norwich City Football Club is signposted along the major routes coming into Norwich via the A11 (south) and A47 (west), with the postcode NR1 1JE.
STADIUM AREA
Resident parking schemes are in place in the streets around Carrow Road and this is strictly enforced and identified through on-street signage. If you park in these areas, you will be fined. Parking at Morrisons adjacent to the stadium is reserved for store customers only, with penalties imposed for misuse of this car park.
PARKING
Car Parking is available at County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DW which is a 10 minute walk from Carrow Road. No Pre-booking available.
Price per match is £6, pay on the day via card or cash.Please note, road closures operate immediately before and aftermatches outside the stadium toallow pedestrians to leave safely.
STADIUM INFOMATION
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 into the stadium.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Carrow Road sits just a brisk walk away from the Riverside Leisure Complex, which features an array of high street restaurant chains, a Lloyds bar, a supermarket and even a bowling alley if you’ve got plenty of time to spare. The retail park is en route from the railway station to the stadium.