Psssst: don't tell Norman Baker or the Falmer residents but...

[8ace]

I reckon AC Siena's plans for a new stadium involve a setting that is just as spectacular.

... although I'd prefer them to stay in "Il Withdean del Sud":-

Is that being built in a disused quarry then?

 

[We're the Stripes]

Practically any of the SA WC '10 stadiums currently being built..

Under Construction - SkyscraperCity

 

[Lady Whistledown]

But in terms of this country, are there any stadiums in particularly nice locations?

Some of them- Milton Keynes springs to mind- might as well be on the moon for all the scenic value or convenience of nearby attractions.

 

[Gwylan]

But in terms of this country, are there any stadiums in particularly nice locations?

Some of them- Milton Keynes springs to mind- might as well be on the moon for all the scenic value or convenience of nearby attractions.

As a matter of interest, where in MK could a stadium be sited so that fans could admire the scenery?

The worst example is surely Northampton which is an ugly stadium at the arse-end of nowhere - with no public transport to boot.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

As a matter of interest, where in MK could a stadium be sited so that fans could admire the scenery?

The worst example is surely Northampton which is an ugly stadium at the arse-end of nowhere - with no public transport to boot.

True

Most new grounds seem to be in retail parks- essential for revenue and land value I understand, and alright if you want a filthy KFC on the way to a game, but they're nearly always miles from (a) the station and (b) any decent pubs

 

[Easy 10]

Wycombes ground looks quite nicely hemmed in by some pleasant hills and bushes.
I have been once, but it was at night, therefore I was largely ignorant of my surroundings.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Wycombes ground looks quite nicely hemmed in by some pleasant hills and bushes.
I have been once, but it was at night, therefore I was largely ignorant of my surroundings.

To get up there, you have to walk through the industrial estate, complete with carpet megastores and draconian parking restrictions.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Practically any of the SA WC '10 stadiums currently being built..

Under Construction - SkyscraperCity

Why isn't Falmer on there

 

[Notters]

As a matter of interest, where in MK could a stadium be sited so that fans could admire the scenery?

The worst example is surely Northampton which is an ugly stadium at the arse-end of nowhere - with no public transport to boot.

Northampton's ground is only about 20 minutes walk from the town centre, though.

 

[8ace]

Why isn't Falmer on there

That's only for stadiums 30,000+

Falmer is on this one: Cultural and Sporting Venues - SkyscraperCity

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Haven't been to Doncaster yet.

Huddersfield's a funny one: there's some pleasant enough trees and hills to one side of it, but there's also plenty of retail warehouses and supermarkets nearby.

That Siena one looks nuts: I can't get over the countryside around it. Never in a million years would any local authority in the UK allow someone to build a football ground (or much else) in an area like that. Siena's in Tuscany, isn't it? Can you imagine Carlisle sticking a 20,000 all seater in the middle of the Lake District, or Southampton relocating to the New Forest?

We've got one in an ex-proposed National Park (although it's hardly a beautiful and natural area) so that's pretty close to the above examples, and probably as close as you'll get in the UK.

 

[Jim in the West]

So, are we now officially allowed to say that actually the Falmer site IS in a really rather pleasant area?! If you ignore the A27 and some of the university buildings (the worst of which are disappearing), it is an Outstanding Area, with much Natural Beauty around....the rolling downs, the picturesque village of Falmer, the landscaped university land nearby - none of which I would admit to a few years ago

 

[Lord Bracknell]

That Siena one looks nuts: I can't get over the countryside around it. Never in a million years would any local authority in the UK allow someone to build a football ground (or much else) in an area like that. Siena's in Tuscany, isn't it? Can you imagine Carlisle sticking a 20,000 all seater in the middle of the Lake District, or Southampton relocating to the New Forest?

It's in a place called Isola d'Arbia, just south of the city of Siena.

Rather imaginatively, it was designated as una zona industriale some years ago. When the authorities in Siena want to do something ... they do it. And they constantly remind people that, once upon a time, they were La Repubblica di Siena. And, if you don't like what they do, they'll remind you that they've fought (and won) wars to protect their independence.

Incidentally ... the Val d'Arbia isn't just an area of outstanding natural beauty, it's the top end of a site that is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage centres. But that doesn't stop a stadium being built to enrich the area further.

 

[Gwylan]

Northampton's ground is only about 20 minutes walk from the town centre, though.

It takes well over half an hour - it took me about 40 minutes, although that was because I wasn't 100 percent sure of the way. According to Google Maps, it's 1.7 miles from Sixfields to Northampton station, you'd have to walk very quickly indeed to do that in 20 minutes.


Jim in the West: I don't think we can say that Falmer's in a pleasant area - it still has a six-lane highway, a railway line and some ugly uni buildings next to it. But we can say that it's more pleasantly situated than most modern football stadiums.

 

[Brovion]

I have to say a pretty location means nothing to me and I WOULD rather be right in the middle of an industrial estate as opposed to out at somewhere like Devil's Dyke. We always said that Falmer wasn't ideal; it's in a relatively remote location, it has a severe lack of local pubs and cafes and we glossed over the transport problems (a glorified branch line with limited capacity and extremely limited parking not totally offset by the provision of some jury-rigged park 'n' rides sites)

NOT that I'm complaining, (no, I'm, not), just pointing out that there is a downside to having a stadium in an AONB.

 

[The Large One]

I have to say a pretty location means nothing to me and I WOULD rather be right in the middle of an industrial estate as opposed to out at somewhere like Devil's Dyke. We always said that Falmer wasn't ideal; it's in a relatively remote location, it has a severe lack of local pubs and cafes and we glossed over the transport problems (a glorified branch line with limited capacity and extremely limited parking not totally offset by the provision of some jury-rigged park 'n' rides sites)

NOT that I'm complaining, (no, I'm, not), just pointing out that there is a downside to having a stadium in an AONB.

You're becoming more and more like Ben's Grandad every day.

 

[itszamora]

Hull's ground is in the middle of a park is it not?

 

[Billy the Fish]

That's only for stadiums 30,000+

Falmer is on this one: Cultural and Sporting Venues - SkyscraperCity

 

[sod1]

The Leichtenstein national stadium is in the valley below the castle

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Practically any of the SA WC '10 stadiums currently being built..

Under Construction - SkyscraperCity

Anyone fancy starting a FALMER thread on there? Think it needs one

.