FOLLOW MANCHESTER UNITED TO NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Manchester United travel to Nottingham Forest with a fixture still months away. The table can change before matchday; plan the trip while the season develops.
THE ROUTE
MANCHESTER UNITED AWAY DAY / HOTELS
WHERE TO STAY
FOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Choose the kind of away trip you want and we’ll show you the strongest base for Nottingham Forest, with the match journey kept in view.
WHERE TO STAY
Where should Manchester United fans stay?
Start with our all-round pick, choose a ground-first base, or stay where the pubs and evening are.
Match night · 2 guests · 1 room
Leonardo Hotel Nottingham
Station Street / Nottingham Station, southern city centre
This is the strongest Nottingham Forest hotel for the widest range of supporters. It is close to Nottingham Station, roughly a one-mile walk from the City Ground, and still within easy walking distance of central bars and restaurants. Current Booking.com feedback is strong and recent Tripadvisor reviews repeatedly praise cleanliness, staff and convenience.
- About a one-mile practical walking route to the City Ground, so there is no need to depend on post-match taxis.
- Around five minutes on foot from Nottingham Station, making arrival and departure unusually simple for a football trip.
Rome2Rio gives about one mile between the hotel and City Ground; Forest's own guidance puts Nottingham Station at roughly 20 minutes' walk from the stadium. Booking.com's City Ground search lists Leonardo at roughly 0.7 miles as a proximity measure.
Sampled rates sit above Nottingham's budget tier and midweek pricing was quite variable.
Compare live rates and room options for your dates.
Roomzzz Nottingham City
Talbot Street / Rock City, northern city centre
Roomzzz is the strongest current nightlife-led choice because it combines a genuinely central late-evening location with much better recent guest feedback than several obvious city-centre rivals. It sits beside Rock City and a few minutes from central bars, restaurants and entertainment, while Hockley/Lace Market remains walkable.
- Excellent current reputation: Booking.com around 8.8–8.9/10 and Tripadvisor around 4.6/5 when checked.
- Rock City is essentially next door and the property says popular bars, shops and restaurants are within about five minutes.
Location listings put the City Ground at about 2.4 km from Roomzzz. A walk is realistic for fit supporters but is materially longer than Leonardo; the property's own information instead highlights an 11-minute taxi or 16-minute public-transport journey to Trent Bridge.
Longer walk to the City Ground than Leonardo; this is a nightlife-first choice rather than a stadium-first one.
Compare live rates and room options for your dates.
PREFER TO CHOOSE YOURSELF?
BUILD YOUR OWN STAY
Choose your nights, guests and preferred area. Find a stay that fits your away day.
Ground, station and nightlife searches use a location pin and show nearby stays first. Check the map and walking route before booking. Location data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
WHY NOTTINGHAM STATION / CITY CENTRE WORKS
Use Nottingham station / city centre as your overnight base and plan the journey to City Ground. More time for the football, fewer last-minute decisions.
What to expect at Nottingham Forest
All the key information for Manchester United supporters heading to The City Ground — from the ground and atmosphere to food, access, parking and matchday practicalities.
MANCHESTER UNITEDSupporter insights combine the site's existing official guidance, supporter-oriented research and fixture checks.
Travel & parking
Driving, parking and rail planning for Manchester United supporters travelling to Nottingham Forest.
Choose a topic for the full journey advice.
Parking
Driving & road restrictions
Set your sat-nav to the car park you actually intend to use, not just the stadium postcode NG2 5FJ. Forest suggests approaching Nottingham from M1 junction 24 via the A453 from the south, or junction 26 and the ring road from the north. The last roads around Trent Bridge and Lady Bay Bridge can become congested.
Do not assume you can drive along Colwick Road, Pavilion Road or Scarrington Road close to kick-off. Forest has used timed closures and restricted access around those roads, while Nottinghamshire has also imposed match-specific closures at Lady Bay Bridge. These are fixture-specific arrangements, so check the latest match guide and highway notices before setting off.
Parking north of the river and walking across Trent Bridge avoids needing vehicle access beside the away entrance.
- Stadium sat nav
- NG2 5FJ; use the selected car park postcode instead when parking
- From M1 north
- Club suggests M1 junction 26 via A610 and southern ring road
- From M1 south
- Club suggests M1 junction 24 via A453 and A52
- Matchday closures
- Previous official guides describe Colwick Road, Pavilion Road, Trent Road and Lady Bay Bridge controls
- 2026 Lady Bay Bridge restrictions
- August 2026 event-specific notice described temporary restrictions and diversions
Parking & park-and-ride
You do not have to pre-book parking for every Forest match, but you should travel with a proper paid car park in mind. Do not rely on free residential parking around West Bridgford. Forest warns about enforced residents' schemes, and the council's central on-street bays now carry daytime charges or short stays.
For value, try Green Parking on Queen's Road (NG2 3AD). It charges £6 all day on matchdays, has 88 spaces and takes RingGo or payment at the machine. The operator estimates a 15-minute walk towards the stadium over Trent Bridge; allow a little longer to reach the visitors' entrance. Places are not guaranteed.
We could not confirm a particular unrestricted street suitable for the whole match. Bridgford Road, Fox Road and Hound Road have designated long-stay paid bays, while roads including Florence Road and Priory Road have short-stay restrictions on relevant sections. Reports of free parking at Victoria Embankment or on industrial streets do not establish matchday permission.
If Queen's Road is full, Nottingham Station's 24-hour multi-storey on Queen's Road costs £5.50 on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Nottingham Rugby's ground on Holme Road offers £10 Forest matchday parking, first come, first served. County Hall, Meadow Lane and Cattle Market are other named parking sites, but check their current opening and charges.
Aim to park at least 90 minutes before kick-off, earlier for a big game. Allow around four-and-a-half to five hours for parking, both walks, the match and the return to your car. Avoid ASDA and other customer-only retail spaces unless their operator explicitly allows football parking for that full period. Sunday and evening restrictions still need checking: neither automatically makes these streets free.
- Parking verdict
- Booking advisable for certainty but not compulsory when arriving early with a verified pay-on-arrival alternative; do not rely on free residential streets
- Free option — area
- No legally verified unrestricted named street for a full matchday visit
- Legal restrictions — Bridgford Road
- Designated long-stay paid bays, 8am–8pm daily, first 30 minutes free only with ticket
- Legal restrictions — Fox Road and Hound Road
- Hybrid long-stay pay-and-display/resident permit bays on named sections; 8am–8pm daily charging
- Legal restrictions — Florence Road and Priory Road
- Specified central on-street bays limited to three hours; not suitable for standard full visit
- Legal restrictions — West Bridgford
- Resident permit schemes and controlled zones enforced on matchdays
- Matchday availability — West Bridgford
- Council studies and March 2026 supporter reports indicate pressure on bays; no guaranteed street space
- Free option — Victoria Embankment
- Not recommended: 2026 supporter claimed free Saturday parking but 2025/26 city fee schedule lists a separate £5 football-parking charge; current event allocation not established
- Free option — Freeth Street / Poulton Drive
- Anecdotal free industrial-street parking reported in 2023, but exact sections and 2026 restrictions not established
- Paid option — Green Parking Queens Road
- NG2 3AD; £6 all-day matchday, 88 spaces, 24/7, RingGo 2867 or pay-and-display, ANPR
- Walk — Green Parking Queens Road
- Operator gives roughly 15 minutes to City Ground via London Road and Trent Bridge; allow more to away entrance
- Matchday availability — Green Parking
- 88 total spaces; first come/pay on arrival and not a reserved or guaranteed matchday space
- Paid fallback — Nottingham Station
- Queens Road multi-storey; open 24/7; £5.50 Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays
- Paid fallback — Nottingham Station weekday
- £10.50 weekday peak, £5.50 weekday after 10am to 02:30; £3.30 evening after 18:00
- Paid fallback — Nottingham Rugby
- The Bay, 1 Holme Road, NG2 5AA; £10 on Forest matchdays; first come, first served, arrive 2–3 hours early
- Walk — Nottingham Rugby
- Forest accessibility guide describes rugby club as about half a mile from the stadium
- Paid fallback — County Hall
- Nottinghamshire County Hall, Loughborough Road, NG2 7QP; Forest-recognised option, subject to spaces and current price
- Paid fallback — Meadow Lane/Cattlemarket
- Both listed by Forest as approved matchday parking choices; current price and access need fixture/operator checks
- Paid on-street fallback — Bridgford Road
- Designated long-stay pay-and-display bays: more than four hours £6 within 8am–8pm charge window, if available and signage permits
- Booking recommendation
- For peace of mind on a large fixture book a legitimately authorised independent space; verify its confirmation and access terms. Public pay-on-arrival sites cannot guarantee a bay.
- Supermarket permission/time limit
- ASDA West Bridgford exists on Loughborough Road but no permission or matchday stay allowance was verified; do not recommend football parking there
- Total dwell time
- Allow about 4.5–5 hours for arrival, walking both ways, match with half-time/stoppages and exit delays; longer for extra time
- Arrive by — paid car parks
- Aim at least 90 minutes before kick-off; operator at rugby club recommends 2–3 hours before kick-off
- After the match
- Lady Bay Bridge and approach roads may be closed temporarily; allow for pedestrians and staggered parking exits
- Sunday/bank holiday note
- Council on-street central West Bridgford charges apply all days 8am–8pm; station off-peak £5.50 applies weekends and bank holidays
Driving
Old Trafford to City Ground
Plan the stadium-to-stadium drive from Old Trafford to City Ground, then check live traffic before setting off.
Parking
Where to leave the car for Nottingham Forest.
Matchday advice: You do not have to pre-book parking for every Forest match, but you should travel with a proper paid car park in mind. Do not rely on free residential parking around West Bridgford.
Trains
Rail, Underground & tram
Use Nottingham station for the City Ground. Forest puts the walk at roughly 20 minutes, and you do not need a taxi for an ordinary arrival. Leave towards Carrington Street, head down towards London Road, cross the River Trent at Trent Bridge and follow the matchday signs towards the visiting end.
Nottingham station has step-free access to all platforms, with lifts available. It is still worth checking Passenger Assist if anyone in your party needs help beyond the station.
If you are coming from a tram park-and-ride, Nottingham Station tram stop is a sensible place to get off. Meadows Embankment is another option, with a walk to the ground that Forest estimates at around 20 minutes. Neither tram stop brings you to the away turnstiles themselves.
- Recommended station
- Nottingham railway station (NG2 3AQ); roughly 20 minutes on foot to stadium
- Rail access
- Nottingham station has step-free access to all platforms and lifts
- Rail connections
- Regular services to London, Birmingham, Derby, Leicester, Sheffield and other destinations; check fixture-day services
- Tram alternative
- Nottingham Station tram stop or Meadows Embankment; ground still requires walking
- Nearest cited tram walking time
- Forest estimates around 20 minutes from Meadows Embankment
- Late return
- Check final train and tram times for the particular date; no permanent last-departure time verified
Station to ground & away entrance
Head for the visiting section in the lower Bridgford Stand, on the far side of the ground from Trent Bridge. After crossing the river, continue along Radcliffe Road and follow the signs around towards Colwick Road and the away turnstiles. Do not turn into Pavilion Road expecting to reach the visitors' entrance.
Your ticket is the final authority on which turnstile to use. Visiting blocks can be split between entrances, and the separate away ticket-collection point is immediately behind the stand. Allow time for queues and searches: the club normally opens the turnstiles about 90 minutes before kick-off.
If approaching from Lady Bay Bridge rather than Trent Bridge, Scarrington Road is the usual stadium-side approach, subject to matchday road controls.
- Away stand
- Lower Bridgford Stand
- Away approach
- Via Radcliffe Road and Colwick Road from Trent Bridge, or Scarrington Road from Lady Bay Bridge where accessible
- Away ticket collection
- Visitors Ticket Office Collection Point adjacent to away turnstiles; opens 90 minutes before kick-off
- Away ticket deadline
- Collection point open until half-time, according to accessibility guide
- Turnstile warning
- Follow the assigned block and turnstile on your ticket rather than relying on historic numerical guides
- Turnstile opening
- Normally 90 minutes before kick-off
Rail
Sat, 20 Feb 2027 · 15:00 kick-off
Reach Nottingham by 13:10. The departure is a rough planning allowance, not a scheduled train.
About 25–30 minutes on foot
This allows for the final whistle, leaving the ground and reaching the station.
These are matchday planning targets, not confirmed train services. Check the timetable and the last train home before booking.
Check trains for these times →Stations and the onward journey
- Nottingham
- 20 minutes on foot · Step-free access recorded
Station data checked 2026-10-16 - Nottingham Station Tram Stop
- 20 minutes on foot
Station data checked 2026-10-16 - Meadows Embankment Tram Stop
- 20 minutes on foot
Station data checked 2026-10-16
Coaches
Away coaches
If your visiting club runs an official supporters' coach, use its confirmed arrival and collection instructions rather than arranging your own drop-off beside the stadium. Forest gives coaches priority within its limited stadium parking arrangements, and the visiting turnstiles are at the lower Bridgford end.
Older visiting-club instructions describe coach access via Scarrington Road, off Lady Bay Bridge. That is not a verified universal drop-off or collection point for every fixture in 2026/27, particularly with temporary road closures. Check where your coach will be waiting after the game before you leave it, and allow time for police-managed departures.
- Coach priority
- Official club guide lists coaches among stadium parking priorities
- Historic coach approach
- Older visiting-club guidance identified stadium-side approach via Scarrington Road
- Fixture-specific coach controls
- Operator/visiting club confirms exact arrival, return and any police instructions
Buses
Buses & local travel
For a bus from Nottingham station, use the Nottingham City Transport Green Line towards West Bridgford and Trent Bridge. Routes 5 and 6 serve Nottingham Station and the Victoria Embankment stop at Trent Bridge. From there, walk along Radcliffe Road and around to the away side of the stadium.
The Green Line also includes other services through this corridor, although individual stops and diversions differ. Check the return stop as well as the outward one, particularly for evening games: matchday traffic and roadworks can change normal stopping arrangements.
If travelling by tram, travel to Nottingham Station or Meadows Embankment and complete the last stretch on foot. There is no need to invent a dedicated stadium tram or shuttle service.
- Bus services
- NCT Green Line 5, 6 and other services serve Nottingham Station–Trent Bridge corridor
- Outbound boarding
- Nottingham Station stop S7 is used by service 5 towards Trent Bridge in inspected timetable
- Alight
- Trent Bridge / Victoria Embankment stop; complete stadium approach on foot
- Roadworks update
- October 2026 NCT updates include Ryehill Street stop changes and Green 11/C diversions
- Park and ride
- NET tram parking free to tram-ticket holders at Clifton South, Toton Lane and other official locations
- Tram P&R conditions
- Clifton South parking for tram passengers; 2.2m height restriction
Accessibility
Accessible journeys
Contact your visiting club before the fixture if you need accessible parking. Forest allocates six away spaces in the Brian Clough Stand car park, off Scarrington Road (NG2 5FA), at £10 each. These are arranged through the visiting club, not by arriving with a Blue Badge on the day. The club describes the spaces as level gravel beside the away section.
Wheelchair supporters use a separate accessible entrance in the lower Bridgford Stand before being escorted to their away positions. There are 11 away wheelchair bays, in blocks W2 and X2. Tell the club about any step-free or seating requirements before you travel; do not assume every standard away turnstile is suitable.
Nottingham railway station is step-free to all platforms. Forest's accessibility team can be reached at accessibility@nottinghamforest.co.uk or 0115 982 4388.
- Away accessible spaces
- Six, £10 each; Brian Clough Stand car park off Scarrington Road, NG2 5FA
- Accessible booking route
- Via visiting club; it supplies Forest with the list before club takes payment
- Ground surface
- Forest describes away disabled parking area as level gravel beside away end
- Wheelchair spaces
- 11 away wheelchair positions: five in W2, six in X2
- Wheelchair entrance
- Away wheelchair guests enter via accessible home entrance at lower Bridgford Stand and are escorted
- Alternative accessible car park
- Nottingham Rugby NG2 5AA; operator describes wheelchair-accessible parking, first come
- Accessible contact
- accessibility@nottinghamforest.co.uk or 0115 982 4388
- Station step-free
- Nottingham station category A, access to all platforms
- Accessible toilet caveat
- Away visitors can use toilet facility at adjacent Y1/Y2 home block with steward assistance
After the match
After the match
If you are going back to Nottingham station, head over Trent Bridge and follow the pedestrian flow north along London Road. Leave a generous margin for your train, especially after a late kick-off, because the roads and approaches beside the away end can be congested after full-time.
Driving away from car parks near Lady Bay Bridge can take longer than the outward journey. Forest has used post-match closures on Lady Bay Bridge and Colwick Road, and earlier supporters describe slow exits from some near-ground parking. A car park north of the river avoids some of that stadium-side road management, though no exit time is guaranteed.
If you are on an official coach, return to the collection point given by your operator rather than assuming the arrival drop-off is unchanged.
- Rail return
- Use Trent Bridge and London Road back towards Nottingham station, allowing crowd buffer
- After full-time road closures
- Lady Bay Bridge and Colwick Road have been controlled after full-time in published Forest matchday guides
- Park away from the stadium
- Queen’s Road paid site keeps car on city side of Trent Bridge, away from Lady Bay Bridge parking approach
- Coach return
- Use fixture-specific coach pickup location advised by organiser
Where to stay
Stay near Nottingham station or the southern edge of the city centre for the easiest football weekend. You can walk to the City Ground over Trent Bridge, get back to your train without a cross-city transfer, and still have a decent choice of places to eat after the match.
For more of an evening out, look towards Hockley or the Lace Market. Those neighbourhoods have a stronger collection of independent restaurants and bars, but mean a longer walk to the stadium and station.
West Bridgford is the alternative if being close to the ground matters most. It has the stadium and Trent Bridge sporting quarter on its doorstep, but there is less reason to stay beside the turnstiles if you also want Nottingham city-centre nightlife.
- Recommended stay area
- Nottingham Station and southern city centre: walkable to stadium and rail
- Evening alternative
- Hockley/Lace Market: concentrated independent restaurants and bars
- Ground-side alternative
- West Bridgford: close to City Ground and Trent Bridge
Choose an area, then view hotel options
Each option uses its own venue, mainline-station, centre or approved driving-area mapping.
Make a night of your Manchester United away day
Travelling with family, meeting mates or following the team as you do every week? These selected stays are intended to make the trip easier and give you more time to enjoy the destination.
Stay after the final whistle for food, drinks or a relaxed evening, then travel home the next morning without the same rush.The City Ground stadium area
Best for a simple walk or short taxi after full time.
This search uses the mapped destination and radius shown. Mapping confidence 75/100. Last reviewed 2026-08-02. Search dates: 2027-02-20 to 2027-02-21.You can still compare hotels using the correct match dates, guest numbers and preferred area.
Compare hotels for this away dayOpen the permanent near the ground hotel guide
See all hotels in this area
Make a night of your Manchester United away day
Travelling with family, meeting mates or following the team as you do every week? These selected stays are intended to make the trip easier and give you more time to enjoy the destination.
Stay after the final whistle for food, drinks or a relaxed evening, then travel home the next morning without the same rush.Nottingham Station Tram Stop
No appropriate primary National Rail station is currently mapped for this ground. This option uses the verified tram hub and states its transport mode accurately.
This search uses the mapped destination and radius shown. Mapping confidence 75/100. Last reviewed 2026-07-29. Search dates: 2027-02-20 to 2027-02-21.You can still compare hotels using the correct match dates, guest numbers and preferred area.
Compare hotels for this away dayOpen the permanent near the main transport hub hotel guide
See all hotels in this area
Make a night of your Manchester United away day
Travelling with family, meeting mates or following the team as you do every week? These selected stays are intended to make the trip easier and give you more time to enjoy the destination.
Stay after the final whistle for food, drinks or a relaxed evening, then travel home the next morning without the same rush.Nottingham centre
Best for food, pubs and making more of the away day.
This search uses the mapped destination and radius shown. Mapping confidence 75/100. Last reviewed 2026-08-02. Search dates: 2027-02-20 to 2027-02-21.You can still compare hotels using the correct match dates, guest numbers and preferred area.
Compare hotels for this away dayOpen the permanent city or town centre hotel guide
See all hotels in this area
Make a night of your Manchester United away day
Travelling with family, meeting mates or following the team as you do every week? These selected stays are intended to make the trip easier and give you more time to enjoy the destination.
Stay after the final whistle for food, drinks or a relaxed evening, then travel home the next morning without the same rush.Nottingham hotels with parking
Hotels in the wider ground area that list parking as a property facility. This searches for hotel accommodation with parking; it does not sell or reserve matchday parking spaces.
This search uses the mapped destination and radius shown. Mapping confidence 75/100. Last reviewed 2026-08-02. Nottingham hotels with parking is close to The City Ground stadium area; the search remains distinct through its area label and 5.0 km radius. Search dates: 2027-02-20 to 2027-02-21.You can still compare hotels using the correct match dates, guest numbers and preferred area.
Compare hotels for this away dayOpen the permanent parking hotel guide
See all hotels in this areaMake a night of it
Stay near the ground, the station or the city centre and enjoy the away day without rushing straight home.
The return journey could not be confirmed, so the planning estimate remains available alongside hotel options.
- The return journey could not be confirmed, so the planning estimate remains available alongside hotel options.
- Staying near the station can make the next-morning journey home easier.
- A city-centre stay gives you more choice for food and drinks before travelling home.
Manchester United at Nottingham Forest
Sat 20 Feb 2027
1 night · 2 people · 1 room
Recommended area: City centre
£50 per person · £100 for 1 room · 1 night
Stay over. Enjoy the away day properly.
Use the verified away-guide cards to plan a pre-match stop without guessing at venue names.
Staying over gives you time to eat without rushing for the last train or a long drive home.
Choose a city-centre stay and make more of the trip before travelling home.
A station-area stay can make arrival and the next-morning journey easier.
Pubs & food
at Nottingham Forest
A focused shortlist of where to drink and where to eat around Nottingham Forest, combining established destination research with only relevant current pub and food signals.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Pubs & bars
Established pub and bar recommendations for the destination — no filler, just places retained by the research.
Alcohol: 18+ · Please drink responsibly Drinkaware
Before you head to the ground
Read full overview Hide full overview
Nottingham is straightforward by train: the station is roughly 20 minutes from the City Ground, and away fans now have a proper meeting point on that route. The Nest beside Meadow Lane is the clearest choice because it operates as an away-ticket-only fanzone, with bars, big screens and rotating street food. Hooters is Forest’s other established visiting-fan suggestion; Canalhouse and Vat & Fiddle work for smaller groups staying nearer the station. Near the ground, be selective: Trent Bridge Inn and the cricket-ground fanzone are home-only, while Stratford Haven has mixed-support evidence but no guaranteed colours policy. Food is stronger than the usual stadium fallback: Relish’s pork, stuffing, crackling and gravy cob is the local matchday ritual, with Cuzina close by and Hungry Pumpkin useful for city-centre breakfasts. For an overnight stay, the station, city centre and Lace Market are the practical areas. Away seats are in the lower John Robertson Stand, still called Bridgford in some current guidance.
The Nest
Hooters of Nottingham
Canalhouse
Vat and Fiddle
Stratford Haven
Food & quick bites
Where to grab a bite, have a proper meal or try the local matchday favourite.
Hungry Pumpkin
A useful independent breakfast or early-lunch stop for an overnight trip. The Lace Market location works well before heading south to the ground, with proper breakfasts, panini, pasta and sandwiches.
The New Wolds Chippy
Not one for station arrivals, but a useful south-Bridgford food stop. The chippy actively targets Forest matchdays and currently offers a substantial matchday box alongside standard fish, chips, pies and kebabs.
City Ground visiting concourse
The safe fallback after the turnstiles. Current ground reporting identifies hot dogs, pies and sausage rolls in the visiting concourse, while visiting-club guidance confirms the stadium is cashless.
Cuzina
A proper meal close to the stadium rather than another burger van. Cuzina does Greek sharing plates, gyros and souvlaki, and recent visitors have used it successfully on the walk to the City Ground.
Relish - The Cob Shop
The local food stop with the strongest Forest-specific identity. Supporters treat the hot pork cob with stuffing, crackling and gravy as a pre-match ritual, right by the ground rather than back in town.
City Ground - Main Stand.jpg · The Stadium Guide · CC BY-SA 2.0