If you love away days with a proper atmosphere, a trip to Selhurst Park is always one to look forward to. Home of Crystal Palace, this South London ground combines old-school stands, noisy home fans, and tight surroundings that make it a real throwback. It might not be the easiest ground to get to, but Palace away is widely considered one of the best experiences in the Premier League. Here’s everything you need to know about making the most of it.

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The Club and the Ground

Crystal Palace were formed in 1905 and have been at Selhurst Park since 1924. The ground holds just over 25,000 and hasn’t seen the same modern rebuilds as many other Premier League stadiums. Instead, it’s retained its character: close to the pitch, slightly cramped, but always atmospheric.

Away fans are housed in the Arthur Wait Stand, along one side of the pitch. You’ll be opposite the Holmesdale Road Stand, where Palace’s famous “Holmesdale Fanatics” make plenty of noise with their drums, chants, and flags. The view is generally good, though there are some supporting pillars that can restrict your sightline if you’re unlucky.

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Getting There

By Train

Selhurst Park is best reached by train. The nearest stations are Selhurst, Thornton Heath, and Norwood Junction, all within a 10–15 minute walk of the ground. Trains run regularly from London Victoria and London Bridge. Just be aware that services can get extremely busy on matchdays, particularly after the game when everyone funnels back into the same stations.

By Car

Driving isn’t recommended. Parking is very limited around the ground, with most streets restricted to residents only. If you must drive, it’s better to park further out and get the train in from a suburban station.

By Coach

Official away coaches usually drop off near the stadium, which is the most hassle-free option if you’re travelling from outside London. The surrounding roads get clogged close to kick-off, so allow time for delays.

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Where to Eat and Drink

South London offers plenty of options, but like many grounds, pubs closest to Selhurst Park are largely home-fan territory.

• Prince George (Thornton Heath): A solid option for away fans, though it fills quickly.
• Wetherspoons (Norwood Junction): The William Stanley is a popular meet-up point for travelling supporters, with plenty of space and affordable prices.
• Central London: Because of the transport links, many away fans choose to have a few pints around Victoria, London Bridge, or Clapham before heading down.

For food, you’ll find no shortage of fried chicken shops, kebab houses, and fish and chip shops on the walk from the stations to the ground. They’re not fancy, but they’re cheap, quick, and do the job.

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Matchday Atmosphere

This is where Palace away really shines. Selhurst Park is renowned for being one of the loudest grounds in the league, with the Holmesdale Fanatics driving the noise and colour all game long. Away fans often say it feels more like a European stadium than an English one because of the singing sections, drumming, and coordinated chants.

As an away supporter, you’ll have plenty of back-and-forth with the Holmesdale, and if your team travels well, the whole Arthur Wait Stand can be bouncing.

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Inside the Away End

The facilities are basic and not the most spacious. The concourses under the Arthur Wait Stand can feel cramped, especially at half-time. Food and drink are the standard pies, burgers, and pints, with London-level prices to match.

The stands themselves are steep, so you get a strong sense of being right on top of the action. That, combined with the tightness of the ground, means the atmosphere often feels more intense than at bigger, more modern stadiums.

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Things to Do in the Area

Croydon and South London don’t have the same tourist appeal as central London, but there are a few things worth knowing:

• Crystal Palace Park: Not far away, home to Victorian dinosaur sculptures and a maze. A quirky spot if you’re making a day of it.
• Central London: The beauty of a Palace away day is that you can combine it with time in London itself. With Victoria and London Bridge on your train route, you can easily spend the pre-match hours in the city before heading down.

Most fans, though, keep it simple: pub, train, ground.

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Final Tips

• Arrive Early: Trains and stations around Selhurst Park get very busy. Give yourself extra time to avoid missing kick-off.
• Be Ready for Noise: Palace fans create one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the league. Don’t be surprised if you’re singing twice as loud just to be heard.
• Dress for the Weather: Selhurst Park can feel exposed, especially in the Arthur Wait Stand. Pack a coat if you’re there in winter.
• Cash Helps: Some of the local takeaways and smaller pubs prefer cash over card.

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Verdict

Crystal Palace away is a proper football experience. From the noisy, passionate home fans to the old-school stands and lively South London setting, it feels authentic and atmospheric in a way many modern grounds just can’t replicate.

It’s not the easiest trip logistically, and facilities aren’t glamorous, but for atmosphere alone it’s one of the best away days in the Premier League. If you get the chance to go, take it—you’ll come back hoarse but buzzing.