The Dripping Pan (Lewes)

The Dripping Pan is a football stadium in Lewes, England. It has been home to Lewes F.C. since their foundation in 1885. It had previously been used by Lewes Priory Cricket Club, though the ground itself had been used by the people of Lewes as an area for recreation, including athletics, as far back as written records exist.

General information

Arena capacity: 3,000 spectators

Address: Mountfield Road, Lewes, East Sussex

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 50.8691° N, 0.0123° E

Year of construction: 1885

Field: grass lawn with dimensions of 110 x 72 yards

Seating plan of The Dripping Pan

The ground has one covered terrace, one uncovered terrace, a grass bank with walkway and a covered stand; a total capacity of 3,000 with seated accommodation for 600 in the main Rookery Stand.

• Rookery Stand opened in July 2007 and replaced the aged wooden South stand. It is a covered, all-seater stand.
• Ham Lane End is an uncovered terrace on the east side of the pitch. During Lewes’ season in the Conference Premier, strict safety regulations meant away fans had to be segregated here. However, it is normally used by both home and away supporters.
• Philcox Terrace is a covered terrace which was opened in April 2003. From some areas of this terrace the view of one of the corner flags is obscured by the adjacent clubhouse. The top of the terrace affords fine views of the South Downs.
• Grass Bank. There is one original remaining grass bank at the Dripping Pan, running the length of the pitch on the north side of the stadium. Spectators are permitted on the flat walkway along the top of the bank, but the slope itself is fenced off for safety reasons.

There is a small car park adjacent to the ground, which is run by the local council and not owned by the club.

Where to buy tickets?

How much you’ll pay for tickets to see Lewes play their matches will depend entirely on how old you are. It’s worth noting that tickets are cheaper if you buy them in advance of the match as well.

The best way to get tickets for Lewes F.C. matches is by using the tickettailor.com website, if for no other reason than you’ll save money by doing so. 

How to get there?

The Dripping Pan is easily accessible by rail, with Lewes Train Station a 1 minute walk away, or by road, with the A27 and A26 connecting the town in all directions. There’s a pay and display car park at the ground, with further on-street parking nearby.

But, we would really recommend getting the train – save the planet and cut down on local traffic.

Ways to get to The Dripping Pan

Leave the car at home and enjoy the many excellent pubs, cafes and restaurants in the famous town of Lewes. With regular train services to and from London, Brighton and Kent, and the Dripping Pan just a 1 minute walk from the station, visiting us is easy. Trains times are easy to look up on the National Rail website.

Bus

Buses 28 and 29. Get off at Lewes High Street then it’s an 8-minute walk.

Use the journey planner at www.buses.co.uk

Just type in ‘The Dripping Pan (Lewes FC)’ for details of routes and times.

Train

Lewes has a fifteen minute train service to Brighton, departing approximately every fifteen minutes in both directions. There is a direct London train approximately every 30 minutes to Victoria, via Gatwick Airport and Clapham Junction. For more information check http://nationalrail.co.uk

Lewes railway station is a one minute walk from the Dripping Pan. When you exit the main entrance, turn left and follow the path over the bridge then bear left at the roundabout. The ground will be in front of you.

Car

The Dripping Pan is at the very start of Mountfield Road, directly behind the station. If you are coming from the north or west, turn off the A27 for Lewes and turn right (signposted Rodmell and Piddinghoe) after about a mile at the first set of traffic lights, adjacent to the prison. Follow that road until you get to a mini roundabout by The Swan pub and turn left. Continue along this road and over the mini-roundabout straight into Mountfield Road where the ground is on your right hand side.

Car parking

Metered street parking is available and there is a pay and display car park directly outside the ground (operating 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday) but please be aware that Lewes has quite a number of ‘keen’ traffic wardens patrolling the town so please purchase a ticket where required. To use it, you will also need to have the RingGo app on your phone: iPhone version   Android version.

There are two bays in the car park for people with Disability Permits. But it should also be noted that this car park does not belong to the club so unfortunately, they cannot reserve any spaces.

Where to eat and drink?

There are two places to buy gorgeous hot food.

Swiss Chalet (top corner to your left as you come in) serves unbelievably nice Loaded Fries with lots of toppings inc vegan options. It also sells hotdogs, hot drinks and sweets.

The Hatch (next to the bar on the lower level) has a range of superb pies, mash & gravy (inc vegan) plus various snacks and drinks.

The famous Rook Inn bar sells a range of lagers & bitter & cider plus soft drinks. So why is it famous you ask? Well that will be the Prosecco-on-tap!

Facilities

The ultimate view in the house is from one of the four, themed beach huts that sit in the north-west corner of the group. Cool in the summer, toasty warm in the winter, the huts offer accommodation for you and five guests and are just a few steps away from our new Philcox Bar and the Fries Hut. Perfect for entertaining clients, celebrating with your family or even for a stag or hen party.

They can accommodate up to 6 adults and can be booked here! Just choose your match and then book yourself a Beach Hut! Just 4 available per game, so hurry.

Accessibility

Entry offers level access to the top level of viewing where there are bays allocated for those in wheelchairs and/or who need more space. Helpers come in free.This is an old ground, though they are gradually updating it, so step-free access to the lower level is only possible via the entrance at Ham Lane. You will need to advise them beforehand if you’d like to come in this way as it isn’t generally staffed.

History

The Dripping Pan has seen major redevelopment over the years in order for it to achieve the necessary ground grading to allow it to be used as a football venue in the Conference South and the Conference National. Developing the ground has had its obstacles as the perimeter walls of the Dripping Pan are listed structures. In April 2008, the ground was awarded a ‘B’ grade, allowing it to be used in the Conference National. The ground has since been updated further to ensure it was awarded the required ‘A’ grade by April 2009.