Thinking of visiting  the Stoop?  Before you read the rest of this article you might like to browse around an ambitious project that Come All Within regulars took part in on 25 Oct 2003 we worked together to try and capture in pictures the full variety and texture of a Match-Day at the Stoop.  Altogether over 400 pictures were submitted, all taken on the same day, and the best of them are displayed here: A Life In A Day at the Stoop

Hopefully that's whetted your appetite, so here's some practical advice:

How to get there

The address of the Stoop is The Twickenham Stoop, Langhorn Drive, Twickenham,  Middlesex, TW2 7SX. 

It's very easy to get to:

By Rail:  The nearest station is Twickenham, about 10 minutes walk away.  Twickenham is on the Reading to Waterloo line, and The National Rail website will enable you to plan your journey.

On Foot:  Here's a map which also shows Twickenham Station.

By Car: Getting to the Stoop from outside London is very straightforward:

• Travel round the M25 until you get to the M3.  
• Take the M3 toward London
• before long you'll find you are on the A316, then within 10-15 mins you'll see the Stoop on your right.
• It's a dual carriageway, so you have to go past the Stoop to the next roundabout, and turn back. 
• There are car parks, well signed, just before and after the Stoop

For door to door driving directions from wherever you live try the viaMichelin website, and key in TW2 7SX as your destination.

By Air:  The closest airport is London Heathrow. From Heathrow you can get a cab (about 25 mins, £15-£20) or more cheaply get take the Shuttle-Bus to Feltham Station, which is two stops from Twickenham.

London Gatwick and London Stansted are a good deal further, and you'd want to travel to Twickenham by rail - use the site above to check the connections to Twickenham Station

Where to sit

There is a plan of the Stadium here on the official site

Your best options are the East Stand or the soon to be completed new Lexus (West) Stand, they are both covered and run the length of the pitch. The West Stand used to be members only but with it's new increased capacity there should be seats available there.

The new Lexus (west) Stand nearing completion ©Prof

The East Stand is long - blocks AA and AH reach out beyond the try-line but are still OK seats - especially higher up. Prices vary, being more expensive nearer the centre of course. The East Stand contains the main public bar whereas the West Stand contains the Members' Bar so if you are likely to need regular liquid refreshment then the East is probably the stand for you.

Warning: Avoid the first four rows A-D, sold as 'restricted view'. The East Stand is separated from the pitch by a walkway, and the low seats are suffer from people walking in front of you fetching beers and so on, the problem isn't as bad in the west because the walkway is much more narrow.

The next best option is the new North Stand. It is behind the goal and is covered. Entry is from beneath the stand so you won't get people walking in front of you and blocking your view.

The South Stand probably won't be available to sit in this coming season (although it may be used if the game is likely to be a sell out). It is behind the goal (so sit high up) and it's essentially a temporary structure, though quite big.  It's uncovered and can be a bit wind-swept in the rain  A big irritation in this stand is the gaps in the structure: anything you drop (up to the size of a small child) falls through into the mud beneath.

For the traditionalist You can get standing tickets, and lean up against the rails in the corners of the ground.

If you have young children then there is the Mighty Quins Village (also see below).  The MQV is behind the south stand.

How to buy tickets

You can order tickets online with an excellent system that allows you to view a plan and select your own seats. If you prefer human contact see the Official Site for contact details for the ticket office

For Children

Quins invest very heavily in making the Stoop a family friendly place. Key activities are

• Mighty Quins Village  A marquee with bouncy castle, face paints, entertainers, art materials and supervisors who play with the kids.  This place is fantastic and easily entertains a small child for half the game. It's open from about 12 noon until about 10 mins before the end of the game.
• Harleys Angels: You children can practice with the dance troop midweek and dance with them on-field at half time.
• Post-Match Press Conference: for older kids, come after the game to the MQV where you will find a player or two answering questions
• NB It isn't guaranteed that all of these facilities will be available for the 2005/6 season in ND1

Wheelchair Access

Access at the Stoop is excellent - the East stand bar has level access to the front and rear so nipping out for a burger is not a problem.

There is disabled parking behind the East stand but get there early as the spaces fill up pretty quick.

There are some wheelchair spaces in the East stand but be warned you will probably have people walking around in front of you. The West Stand is being redeveloped, when it is finished there will be more and better disabled seating than in the East Stand, this is due to be opened for the start of the 2005/6 season but many of these wheelchair places may have already gone to current Quins members.

There are two disabled toilets in the East Stand and there will be disabled toilets in the New West Stand too.

All in all, the wheelies at Quins will tell you that the facilities at the Stoop are second only to Twickenham in terms of facilities for the disabled user in Europe.

Drinking

The East Stand bar beneath the stand runs the length of the Stand and is one of the nicest bars you'll find in any club. Before the game there are TVs that show the live match on Sky, and occasionally video of  last week's Quins game. After the game there is usually a live band.

A couple of seasons ago Quins delighted their fans by jettisoning the old Heineken contract and signing a long term deal with Greene King. This means we have the excellent Green King IPA on hand pump, and Guinness makes a welcome return. 

At the left end of the bar (as you face it) you'll find the four-pint jug  always a great offer.

Eating

There are various outlets around the ground (many behind the South Stand) and there is also a food bar in the East Stand Bar serving pies, pizza etc. If you want a proper meal and there's a group of 10 or more you can always book the Carvery.

Tea & Coffee

All the food stands sell the regular tea/coffee, but this season there are also are a couple of coffee stalls in the ground this season selling espresso and Cappuccino (and every variation thereof...). You can get coffee in the East Stand Bar.

After the game

There is almost always a live band in the East Stand bar after a game: wear your dancing shoes.

Where to Stay

If you are staying over, here's three convenient and quite different suggestions

• Premier Lodge - well known chain of motel-style hotels.. Inexpensive, on the A316 about 10 mins walk down the busy road from the Stoop. (on the website it's listed under Twickenham)
• Pope's Grotto A very nice Youngs pub-hotel in Twickenham, right next to the river, and overlooking a small park. Recommended. About 20 minutes walk
• very close to the Stoop indeed, is the Bremic Guest House offering B&B accommodation (if you stay here please let us know what it's like)

Alternatively, you could also stay in Richmond which is nearby and has many hotels. Richmond is 5 mins on the train or 30 minutes beautiful walk along the river.

Meeting Up

Before the game, look out for the Quinssa table, where you'll often find a few of the regulars from this site.

Anything Else?

The Stoop changed its name from The Stoop Memorial Ground to The Twickenham Stoop for the 2005/6 season, details of the press conference can be found here.

Post your questions - or suggestions for  this page - one the message boards using the handy box below.

Thanks for the additional notes/suggestions from regulars - especially RobShew.

Come on You Quins!