Hardenhuish Park – Chippenham Town

Tucked away in a leafy part of town you could easily drive past Hardenhuish Park and not know it was there. The ground sits in the centre of a number of other sporting facilities, including cricket, tennis, bowls and hockey. In fact, you proceed along a meandering path, past the entrance to the Chippenham Sports Club to reach the entrance gates of Hardenhuish Park. Once inside you are presented with a hot potch mixture of stands. However, the ground has character and is pleasing to the eye, with plenty of trees and greenery on view around the outside perimeter. 

On one side of the ground is the Main Stand. This small covered seated stand runs for around a third of the length of the pitch, straddling the half way line. It is unknown for sure when this was built, however judging by the unusual shape of the roof and supporting pillars, I would say that it is at least 1950’s if not older. It contains four rows of seating and above is a glassed area which houses the club bar. The Main Stand has also been extended recently with the addition of a small prefabricated covered seated area to each side. Towards the open end of the ground there a few portakabins two of which have been stacked on top of one another. I believe one of these is used a corporate/Directors area. On the other side of the Main Stand there is a small portion of open terrace.

Opposite is a strange affair. A small covered standing area runs down the complete length of the pitch. It is comprised of a number of joining sections that descend as the pitch slopes downwards towards the Bristol Road End. It also a fair number of supporting pillars running across the front of it. The small team dugouts are located on this side, which is unusual considering the Main Stand and team dressing rooms are located on the other side of the pitch. At the Bristol Road End is a small prefabricated covered terrace which is only a few steps high. At the opposite end is a small open concrete terrace which comprises of three steps and is set back a little from the playing action. Beyond one corner of the ground can be seen a large white dome, which a multi-sport indoor facility. The ground has a set of eight floodlight pylons, four of which run down each side.

Normally games are not segregated at Hardenhuish Park. In the rare event that they are, then away fans are housed in the open terraced end. Around 450 fans can be accommodated in this area. If fans are not segregated then you can access the Blues Bar and Club Catering by the Main Stand. Food on offer includes; Double Cheeseburgers (£4), Cheeseburgers (£3), Double Burgers (£3.50), Burgers (£2.50), Hot Dogs (£3), Chips (£2), Sausage & Chips (£4.50) and Chip Butties (£2.50). Normally a relaxed and enjoyable day out.

There is a clubhouse inside the ground called the Blues Bar. It is located above the Main Stand and enjoys good views over Hardenhuish Park. Unless fans are segregated then the bar is open to all visitors and is also open at half time. Otherwise, there doesn’t seem to be any pubs located near to the ground. Chippenham Town Centre is around a 15-20 minute walk away where there are plenty of pubs to be found. Probably the closest is the Brunel pub on New Road. Near to the railway station, there is the CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed Old Road Tavern on Old Road. Whilst located in the Borough Parade Shopping Centre is a Wetherspoons outlet called the Bridge House.

Leave the M4 at Junction 17 and take the A350 towards Chippenham. After around two and a half miles you will reach a roundabout (where there is a services area on one side). Take the first exit at the roundabout onto the B4158 towards the town centre. At the next traffic lights turn right onto Hardenhuish :Lane. At the bottom of Hardenhuish Lane you will reach a double mini roundabout, where at the first roundabout you take the first exit onto Bristol Road (signposted Town Centre).After a quarter of a mile you will reach a small car park on your left (look out for the blue Chippenham Town FC welcome sign). Just after the car park there is the entrance road to the Sports and Football Club.

There is no car parking available at the Club itself. There is the small car park which is mentioned above, that is free, otherwise street parking.

Chippenham Railway Station is located around three quarters a mile away from Hardenhuish Park and takes about 15 minutes to walk. The station is served by trains from London Paddington, Bristol Temple Meads, Southampton and Cheltenham Spa. Exit the platform using the tall uncovered steps at the far end of the station. Turn right at the top, cross the lines and as you go down the steps leaving the station, you need to walk straight ahead into Union Road. At the end of this road turn left into New Road, and with the railway bridge on your left, cross New Road at the traffic lights. Once you’ve crossed the road you go straight on (the A 420 signposted Bristol East.). Keep straight on this road for around half a mile and shortly after it becomes Bristol Road, you will reach the ground entrance road on your right (look out for a small car park and Chippenham Sports/Football Club welcome signs at the entrance).

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:

Terrace:

Adults £13
Senior Citizens £9
Under 18’s £3*

Seating

An additional £1 transfer fee is payable inside the ground to access the seating areas.

*  Under 16’s can be admitted free if accompanied by a paying adult.

Official Matchday Programme: £2

Chippenham Town FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).

Bath City and Gloucester City.

Record Attendance

4,800 v Chippenham United
Western League, 1951

Average Attendance
2018-2019: 667 (National League South)
2017-2018: 600 (National League South)
2016-2017: 459 (Southern League Premier Division)

If you require hotel accommodation in Chippenham then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going. 

Official Website

www.pitchero.com/clubs/chippenhamtown

Unofficial 

Bluebirds Fan Forum

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, then please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.