Planning a visit to Loftus Road.

[G Enriquez]

I am planning a trip to London next year. I would like to go to a QPR match at Loftus Road. What Airport should i fly in to? Is there anything touristy to do in Shepards Bush? How far is central London from Shepards Bush? I appreciate any info i can get.

[Michael K.]

As I've just gotten home from a trip myself and am feeling completely shot, I'm not up for writing much now, but I'll try and give you some decent answers tomorrow.

[Michael K.]

Originally posted by G Enriquez
I am planning a trip to London next year. I would like to go to a QPR match at Loftus Road.

Are you sure about that? :eek:


What Airport should i fly in to?

Whichever. I used to fly into Heathrow a lot, then took to Gatwick when I discovered that the Gatwick Express train is SO much better than suffering through an interminable ride on the Picadilly Line (Underground). However, they've now got an express train from Heathrow to Paddington Station, and that's supposed to be pretty good, so you're in luck.

Is there anything touristy to do in Shepards Bush?

Well, not 'touristy' in the sense of museums and palaces, but it is a GREAT place to go for food, because you've got tons of cheap Middle Eastern, West Indian, and other kinds of ethnic places along the Goldhawk Road and other main drags around there. There's a few good QPR pubs around too. Despite the fact that it looks a little down-at-heel, I don't think you're likely to get into much trouble there.
BBC Television Centre is right around the corner from Loftus Road; despite the fact that I worked there for a while, I'm not sure if you can go for a tour or not; maybe you can get into the studio audience for a show.

How far is central London from Shepards Bush?

Central London is a big place; if you mean Trafalgar Square or Picadilly Circus, it's probably a 10-15 minute tube ride, even though it's a short distance as the crow flies. If you mean other parts of West-Central London like Kensington, Knightsbridge or Earls Court, it's maybe a little closer. I used to live in West Kensington, in the area around Olympia (a convention center on the south side of Holland Park), and it took me 30 minutes or so to walk to Loftus Road.

Where are you staying? What's your budget? There's absolutely no reason to feel bound to staying within eyesight of Picadilly Circus, so that you're in 'Central London' - you can be as far out as Richmond (the southwestern edge of greater London) and be in the center of things after a half hour on the tube, less in a cab.

[G Enriquez]

Where are you staying? What's your budget? There's absolutely no reason to feel bound to staying within eyesight of Picadilly Circus, so that you're in 'Central London' - you can be as far out as Richmond (the southwestern edge of greater London) and be in the center of things after a half hour on the tube, less in a cab. [/QUOTE] Thanks for the info Michael. I am still in the planning stages so, i'm not sure where we'll be staying. I would also like to go to a match at Highbury. I'd like to visit it before they move into their new stadium. I have wanted to visit Loftus Road for a long time. It seems like a fun place to watch a match.

[cardiff27]

don't saty anywhere near shepeherds bush

from heathrow, get the piccadilly, walk around the corner and get tube to goldhawk road. Main qpr boozer 'the goldhawk' next door

any more advice, give us a shout

[Wolves_67]

Just in case you don't know this site, scroll the page from top to bottom and it will tell you a lot. Even info on local transportation and parking, etc.. And you can learn a song to sing before you go, also. It has recomendations on eating and drinking too!
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/park/yfh45/qpr.htm

[QPR Kevin H]

Originally posted by cardiff27
don't saty anywhere near shepeherds bush

from heathrow, get the piccadilly, walk around the corner and get tube to goldhawk road. Main qpr boozer 'the goldhawk' next door

any more advice, give us a shout
Rubbish - I've stayed right on Ellerslie Rd in the Bush and it was fine. In fact better than most places I've stayed in London. And the main QPR pub is the Bush Ranger on Goldhawk Rd.

Also, if you're going to Heathrow - take the Express train to Paddington. Then get the tube or a cab from there.

[Atouk]

Hotels:

I stayed elsewhere in London several times, but I've stayed on Shepherds Bush Green the last three times I've gone (hotel at the link below) and have enjoyed it (particularly enjoyed being close to the places I planned on doing way too much drinking!).

http://www.grantlyhotel.activehotels.com/

Singles for 35 pounds per night; doubles 59.
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Things to do:

The BBC Television Centre does do tours:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tours/

You have to pre-book. Adults are 7.95 pounds.

You can also try to get in a studio audience:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/whatson/tickets/
(note: not all are at the Television Centre)
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Airports:

I agree with the others that your choice of airport won't matter much. If you're going on the cheap, Heathrow is probably better, because you can take the forever-long tube ride out there. If you're taking either the Heathrow or Gatwick Express into town, it won't much matter which airport you take.

http://www.heathrowexpress.co.uk/
22.50 roundtrip from Heathrow to Paddington Station

http://www.gatwickexpress.co.uk/
21.00 roundtrip from Gatwick to Victoria Station

[Michael K.]

Now would be a great time for someone to pipe up with any cheap NY to London fares they've seen lately. January-February always seems like a good time of year to take an little jaunt over and catch a match or two.

[Atouk]

At the moment, US Airways is showing as low as $436 from DC to Gatwick and $384.50 from NY to Gatwick. That's a good bit higher (around $100 in the case of DC) than the same time in 2001 or 2002.

[QPR Kevin H]

I think Im going for the MLK long weekend. Continental/Virgin flight for $420 (Dulles/Heathrow - have not bought it yet) Then a lovely train ride down to Devon for the Plymouth match.

[Michael K.]

Mmmm, Continental Virgins.

[QPR Kevin H]

Alright - Im set for the Plymouth match. Nice direct flight on United from Dulles. Should be a good awayday.

BTW - anyone know a good sight to buy train tickets online?

[G Enriquez]

Thanks for the info,guys. I'm going to try to make it over this year.

[ross from st paul]

Originally posted by G Enriquez
Thanks for the info,guys. I'm going to try to make it over this year.

you WON'T be sorry!!! i had a FANTASTIC time at my only english football match: 2-0 over barnsley, at loftus road 2/17/2001 (crouch and kiwomya). i had connections to a season ticket holder, so i was able to get into the loftus road stand. we even visited his mother for tea after (round the opposite side of white city)!
i was treated VERY well, considering i was just some dumb american who wanted his "first" to be at a QPR match more than anything else. marvelous supporters, just fantastic.
i'm jealous; have a great time!!!!!

[G Enriquez]

Originally posted by ross from st paul
you WON'T be sorry!!! i had a FANTASTIC time at my only english football match: 2-0 over barnsley, at loftus road 2/17/2001 (crouch and kiwomya). i had connections to a season ticket holder, so i was able to get into the loftus road stand. we even visited his mother for tea after (round the opposite side of white city)!
i was treated VERY well, considering i was just some dumb american who wanted his "first" to be at a QPR match more than anything else. marvelous supporters, just fantastic.
i'm jealous; have a great time!!!!! Thanks Ross. I'm going to try to make it over for the begining of the 03/04 season. Can you tell me about the stadium? How was the atmosphere? The seats seem close to the field. Did you visit the club shop? I have been to Anfield,Old Trafford,Upton Park and Wembly. Although those are great stadiums,i have always wanted to go to a match at Loftus Road. I just love the intimacy of that stadium. Thanks.

[ross from st paul]

the seats are practically ON TOP of the field. it's great! one thing i was warned about was that the seats didn't provide much leg room, and that proved true: i'm 6' 1/2", and my knees took a beating against the row in front of me....but i didn't much care. i was in the loftus road stand, the goal in front of me slightly to my right. so, the director's box was off to my right, and the barnsley supporters straight in front of me, other side of the stadium. to my left, in that corner of the stadium, were the loudest R's supporters. they sang and chanted slogans throughout; they were great. the whole f-ing experience was a dream (and right about this time, life long R's supporters are probably thinking i'm a moron, to attribute so much to one measly match. hey, i'm writing from USA: we have stale, over-sanitized sport here. i went to a MN timberwolves NBA game shortly after i got home, and nearly fell asleep amongst the yuppies! sport that's dictated by beer commercials (and crappy beer at that)).
very compact ground, great atmosphere. pity it's now being invaded by those fayed TOSSERS biweekly!

[QPR Kevin H]

You guys are making me regret going for an away match this trip. Fortunately, Im staying at a B&B on Ellerslie Rd - about 30 feet from the gate to Loftus Rd! Its a great place (for anyone researching a trip). Here is the Web site - which includes a lot of other nice, family places in London for decent prices.

www.welcomehomes.co.uk

[Michael K.]

Originally posted by ross from st paul
the seats are practically ON TOP of the field. it's great! one thing i was warned about was that the seats didn't provide much leg room, and that proved true:

I'll vouch for that, and I'm not a particularly tall guy.

[patrickdavila]

I saw a Premiership match there in 95. QPR lost to Everton 0-2. The place is great. Yes, you're literally on top of the field. Yes, there's not a leg room but it's a great experience. I've seen games in England, Scotland, Spain, USA, Mexico. This was one of the best places I've ever been to. I really like small stadiums in residential neighborhoods. It has a very local feel to it. A really cool stadium.