[AtherRC]

I'm going to be in London on a soccer holiday next week and have a ticket that I bought on-line and will be going to the Wigan match next Saturday.

Any suggestions for the "complete" Loftus Road experience in terms of pubs to visit, pre-match food, anything else worth seeing at Loftus Road.

Also wondering if any London based QPR supporters posted here that I could meet up with for said pre-match pints.

Thanks,

Rob Atherton

[Atouk]

The Bush Ranger on the Goldhawk Road is considered by many to be the #1 QPR pub. I like the BR, but my favorite pre-match pub is the White Horse on the Uxbridge Road. The Bush Ranger is further from Loftus Road, so starting there, visiting a couple of places on Goldhawk Road, then hitting the White Horse on Uxbridge Road, before making your way to the ground isn't a bad plan.

If you're looking for a pub for visiting fans (with a sprinkling of QPR fans mixed in) or, for that matter, are looking for that last pint before entering the ground, the Springbok on South Africa road is just off the corner of the stadium.

Here is a link to a previous thread here where folks posted suggestions:
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showt...threadid=24467

Here's a thread where I described a bunch of stuff I did in a weekend in the Bush. Most of it is recommended!
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showt...threadid=18092

[QPR Kevin H]

Good call on heading to Loftus Road (and buying your tix early). That should be a great match and a probable sellout.

As for the Bush - I heartily reccomend...

- The Bush Ranger. As Atouk mantioned it gets packed, but its the heartland of Rangers support. Go on a night before the match if you can - good bunch of locals there.

- The Shebab kebab shop on Uxbridge Rd. Magic. Get a chicken shish with loads of chili and garlic.

[DylanPresman]

On Saturday morning go to Portobella Market. It has nothing to do with QPR as such, but it is a great open air market -- what Americans might call a swap meet -- which is fairly close to the ground. The market has loads of atmosphere and is a lot of fun. You could get food at the market or eat in one of the small restarants that abound. There are loads of good Indian restaurants around there. As a kid, my Saturday routine usually involved going to the market (either Portobella or Camden, which is more youth-oriented and trendy) then Indian or fish and chips for lunch before heading off for the game. My favorite chippy in that part of the world is right by the Springbok pub. Big chunky chips (french fries) doused in salt and vinegar with a pastie for good measure. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Enjoy

COME ON URRRRRRRRRRRRRsss!!!

Dylan Presman

[Atouk]

Originally posted by DylanPresman
On Saturday morning go to Portobella Market. It has nothing to do with QPR as such, but it is a great open air market -- what Americans might call a swap meet -- which is fairly close to the ground.

In fact, one way to get from Goldhawk Road to Uxbridge Road is to walk through a market (that one is the Portobella Market, right?).

And I agree... I like that chippy between the stadium and the Springbok. It provides a tasty post-match base layer of food so that the drinking can recommence!

[QPR Kevin H]

Originally posted by Atouk
In fact, one way to get from Goldhawk Road to Uxbridge Road is to walk through a market (that one is the Portobella Market, right?).

Thats the Shepherds Bush market. Portabello market is closer to Notting Hill - take the tube to Latimer Rd or Notting Hill Gate.

[AEK]

Wish I could visit the loft....maybe next year.

[ross from st paul]

Originally posted by AEK
Wish I could visit the loft....maybe next year.

i've only been to london twice, and loftus once, but i'm in lockstep with you there: i LOVED the r's match i attended (17 feb, 01: 'oops 2, barnsley 0 (kiwomya and crouch; me = upper stand, NU, R, 176)).

>>- The Shebab kebab shop on Uxbridge Rd. Magic. Get a chicken shish with loads of chili and garlic.<<

again, as a newbie, i might not be entitled to comment, but in my opinion, QPR Kevin H SPEAKS TRUTH!!! :-)

bottom line, Rob: west london in general, and R's supporters IN PARTICULAR (stay away from those chelsea tossers!!), f-ing ROCK!!! i know i sound like a dork for repeating it, but i really DO appreciate what a great time i had on my only visit to an english football match!
have a GREAT time yourself!!!! i met up with a lifelong R's supporter, who's also a london cabbie. PM me if you want his name and phone #, for transport purposes. he's a GREAT guy!!! :-)

[Labdarugo]

A relative of my late father-in-law was born on Loftus Road so QPR was kind of the "family team." The very first professional match I ever saw was at Loftus Road in Dec 1991 (the last season before the EPL). It was bitterly cold, so I bought myself a QPR ski-cap. I still have it and still wear it, in spite of my wife's best efforts to replace it. I work for a British company and I enjoy wearing it after work when I go out with the visiting Brits. "Is ... that ... QPR?!" Good ice-breaker.

I remember that it was a great atmosphere in and around Loftus Road. I wasn't able to visit any of the pubs though.

Have a great time and be sure to pick up a souvenir of the day!