Woodside Park

A small but tidy looking ground that still has a newish feel about it. There is a small covered seated Main Stand on one side of the pitch, that doesn’t have any supporting pillars, thus giving a good view of the action. On one side of this stand is located the Social Club, whilst the other side is unused apart from a path around the perimeter fencing. It has a capacity of 300 seats. Opposite is a largely open area that has recently seen the addition of a small covered structure that contains four rows of approximately 225 seats. Both ends are identical small covered terraces located behind the goal.

In the rare event that fans need to be segregated, then away fans are mostly housed in the Town End terrace at one end of the stadium. In addition a small number of seats are also allocated to visiting fans in the South Stand. In total around 500 away supporters can be accommodated in these areas, both of which have some cover. Being a modern stadium the facilities inside the stadium are more than adequate. As Woodside Park is only a mile away from Stansted Airport, then you are ‘treated’ to the sight of a number of airplanes taking off from being the opposite Airport End of the ground.

Bishop’s Stortford currently plays in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central, the seventh tier of English football. This is at Step 3 below the Football League and one League below the National Leagues North and South.

There is a Social Club at ground, which welcomes visiting fans. It has a selection of drinks, including real ale. Inside the stadium alacohol is available to buy in the form of bottles of Carlsberg from an outside bar at the Town End of the ground. As the ground is situated right on the outskirts of town and there doesn’t appear to be any other pubs nearby.

By car

Leave the M11 at Junction 8 for the Birchanger Green services exit. Take the A120 towards Bishop’s Stortford and at the next roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A1250, again heading towards Bishop’s Stortford. Take the next right into Woodside. The ground is at the bottom of this road. There is a car park at the ground which costs £2, although make sure you arrive early as it quickly fills up.

By train

Bishop’s Stortford Railway Station is located just under three quarters of a mile a way. It is served by trains from London Liverpool Street. It takes around 20 minutes to walk to the stadium from the station.

As you come out of the station turn right and proceed up the station approach road in front of you. As you near the top of the road bear right and cross the bridge over the railway line. Continue to the end of this road and turn left onto the London Road. Walk up to the crossroads with traffic lights (there is the Cock Inn on one corner) and turn right onto Dunmow Road (signposted A1250 Colchester). Stay on this road for around half a mile and you will reach the stadium entrance on your left.

Prices for recent home league games at Woodside Park have been set as follows:

Adults £15
Concessions £10
Youth (12-17) £8
Under 12’s Free (when accompanied by a paying adult)

Official matchday programme: £2

For those heading to Woodside Park to catch Bishop’s Stortford, there is plenty to explore nearby to make a full day or weekend of a visit. The surrouding area offers a great mix of countryside charm and fascinating history, these attractions include:

Southern Country Park

Located just a few miles from Woodside Park, Southern Country Park offers wide open green spaces right in Bishop’s Stortford itself. The park features woodland trails, flower-filled meadows and peaceful ponds, allowing for a great spot to stretch your legs or simply for a relaxing time away from the stadium and town centre.

Mountfitchet Castle

For those after a step back in time, Mountfitchet Castle offers a fascinating Norman village reconstruction with roaming animals and interactive exhibits. Built on the site of a genuine 11th-century castle, it brings Medieval England to life in an interactive and immersive way. Visitors can explore fortifications, traditional huts and historic displays for an educational look into how life in the town would have looked almost 1,000 years ago.

Woodside Park is the modern home of Bishop’s Stortford, marking a new chapter in the club’s rich history. After almost 80 years at their previous home at Rhodes Avenue, financial pressure forced the club to sell the site in 1997.

Woodside Park was then constructed and officially opened in 1999 and has been the home of the Hertfordshire side since.

The first match held at the ground was a pre-season friendly against Norwich City in July 1999, before September held the initial inauguration in a high-profile game against Tottenham Hotspur, drawing one of the largest crowd in the ground’s early history.

Record Attendance

At Rhodes Avenue
6,000 v Middlesbrough
FA Cup 3rd Round, 11th January 1983

At Woodside Park To be advised

Average Attendance

2024-25: 412 (Southern Premier League Central)

2023-24: 491 (National League North)
2018-2019: 335 (Isthmian League Premier Division)
2017-2018: 298 (Isthmian League Premier Division)
2016-2017: 355 (National League South)

Bishop’s Stortford’s main local rivals are Braintree Town and Chelmsford City.