West Leigh Park (Havant)

West Leigh Park is a football stadium in Havant, Hampshire, England. It is the home of Havant & Waterlooville F.C.

General information

Arena capacity: 5,300 spectators

Address: Westleigh Park, Martin Rd, Havant PO9 5TH, UK

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 50°52′01.48″N 0°58′26.90″W

Year of construction: 1982

Field: grass lawn with dimensions of 111 x 70 yards

Seating plan of West Leigh Park

Overall Westleigh Park is a tidy looking ground that has seen gradual improvements made to the spectator facilities over the years. On one side is the impressive looking Main Stand. This stand runs for around half the length of the pitch, but is situated to one side of the half way line. It is covered and all seated and is free of supporting pillars, but unfortunately has a floodlight pylon located directly in front of it. To one side is the team’s entrance to the ground from the dressing rooms behind. This stand has a capacity of 560 seats. This side of the ground also contains a small covered terrace.

Opposite is a small covered terrace that runs almost the full length of the pitch. It does, though, have a set of four floodlight pylons running across the front of it. It has a television gantry perched on its roof. Unusually the dugouts are located on this side of the pitch, opposite to the Main Stand. Both ends are small covered terraces, one of which is split into two sections. There is a noticeable slope to the pitch which runs down from north to the south end of the ground.

Normally fans are not segregated at Westleigh Park. If fans segregation is in force then away supporters are given all or part of the South Terrace at one end of the ground. Up to 500 fans can be accommodated in this area. This terrace which has six steps is set back a little from the pitch side but has some cover from the elements. This low roof also has the added benefit of amplifying any noise from the visiting fans. To one side of the terrace is a catering unit selling the normal football fayre of Burgers, Hot Dogs and Chips. In addition, a small number of seats are made available in the Main Stand, to those who would have difficulty standing for the entire game. Stewarding is normally relaxed, overall the club is a welcoming one and usually the atmosphere is not bad too.

Where to buy tickets?

Your age will affect the price as it does everywhere else, and it is slightly cheaper if you are a member, but other than that, ticket prices are the same everywhere in the ground. Concessions for NHS & Armed Force are also a bit cheaper.

You will be able to get tickets from the stadium’s ticket office, but their official website is always the best place to start. If you’d like to speak to someone then calling the club directly is always an option.

How to get there?

Before your trip, check the following directions and routes to West Leigh Park.

Approaching from the north (A3/A3M)

Follow the A3 south until it becomes the A3M.

Just after it does take the B2149 turning, signposted to Emsworth. At the top of the sliproad turn left along Dell Piece East, follow the road to a small roundabout and turn right.

Continue along this road into Rowlands Castle and you’ll be confronted by a small double roundabout with a Harvester restaurant on the left. Go straight over the first and right at the second, taking the road running down the right hand side of the Shell petrol station.

Follow this road round until it becomes a dual carriageway. At the first set of traffic lights turn left into Bartons Road. The ground will be on your right.

At the top of the hill immediately after a pedestrian crossing, turn right into Martin Road. The entrance to the ground is several hundred yards along the road on your right.

Approaching from the east/west (A27)

Turn off the A27 into Havant at the Hayling Island roundabout (A3023). If coming from the west, this is the first exit after the A3M split.

Follow the road through the town centre until you go over the railway and come to a roundabout.

Go straight on, through four sets of traffic lights. At the fifth, (after a garage on your right and the Heron pub on your left), turn right into Bartons Road.

The ground will be on your right. At the top of the hill immediately after a pedestrian crossing, turn right into Martin Road. The entrance to the ground is several hundred yards along the road on your right.

By Train (Havant station)

Havant Railway Station is situated just over a mile away from the ground. It is served by trains from London Waterloo and Portsmouth. Westleigh Park is around a 20 minute walk away. Firstly there are two exits to the station. Do not come out of the main station entrance but instead use the exit over on Platform 1. This leads you onto a covered walkway which emerges onto Leigh Road, where you turn left.

As the Leigh Road bends around to the right becoming Lavant Drive, bear left to continue along Leigh Road (indicated by a no through road sign). At the end of Leigh Road continue on the pedestrian pathway until you emerge onto the main road. Bear right and walk alongside the dual carriageway. When you reach a set of traffic lights with the Heron pub on your left, turn right just before a garage onto a pedestrian path. Continue straight on into Martin Drive and you will reach Westleigh Park on your left.

Parking

There is limited free parking on site at Westleigh Park, with free on road parking locally.

Where to eat and sleep?

There is a fair sized clubhouse, called the Westleigh, at the ground itself. The entrance to the Westleigh is located just outside the main turnstiles. Away fans are welcome to use it. Otherwise five minutes away, in walking distance on the main Petersfield Road (going towards Havant) is the Heron Pub, which also serves food and is part of the Hungry Horse chain. To find this pub turn right out of the Club car park and walk up to the main road. You will see the pub over on your left and on the other side of the road.

If arriving by train at Havant Station then nearby on Park Road South is a Wetherspoons outlet called the Parchment Makers. Whilst on Homewell is a traditional pub run by Fullers called the Robin Hood.

For fans that have traveled from afar to make it to Westleigh Park, here is a handy list of nearby hotels which can house you, with different hotels suiting different budgets.

1. The Brookfield Hotel.
2. Robin Hood Inn.
3. The Jingles.

Facilities

As mentioned above, the Westleigh is the pub next to Havant and Waterlooville FC, and the official bar of the Hawks. Away from football they have established themselves as a pub at the heart of the local community, with regulars coming in from all over Leigh Park and beyond.

Spacious surroundings mean there is the ideal place to relax and unwind.

Function room hire:

The Westleigh also has a function room at the back of the main bar which can be booked for the following:

• Weddings;
• Christenings;
• Birthdays;
• Coffee mornings;
• Business or Team Meetings;
• Wakes;
• Celebrations.

Whatever the occasion, they will be able to provide the perfect venue for you to hold your function.

History

The club play at Westleigh Park renamed the Draper Tools Community Stadium at the start of the 2020/21 season. It was home to Havant Town from 1982 onwards while Waterlooville F.C. played at the now extinct Jubilee Park.