What is Hardenhuish Park like?
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 halfway 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 portacabins two of which have been stacked on top of one another. I believe one of these is used as a corporate/Directors area. On the other side of the Main Stand, there is a small portion of open terrace.
The 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 site, 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.
Where to drink?
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.
Car Parking?
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.
Train?
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.