Our Impressions of Layer Road
This is a typical division two / three ground. It's located in the middle of a residential area, as if you are playing in 'some-ones back yard.' The facilities are limited, and you can see why Colchester are desperately trying to get planning permission for a new ground! The away fans are located in the stand backing on to Layer road, and have a view from behind the goal.
The toilets are not the best in this league to say the least, but we have seen worse in the higher league (Gillingham!!!). There is a small refreshments shed (...and yes it is a shed!), and on the day we visited there were rather large queue's.
When we visited, the atmosphere was excellent, and is aided by the fact that the crowd are so close to the pitch. We also found the people and the ground to be quite welcoming, and we would recommend this as a 'first-away-day' outing for any father taking a son.
Directions to Layer Road
By Road
From A12
Exit the A12 at the junction with the A1124 signposted Cambridge/Halstead. At the end of the slip road, turn left into Essex Yeomanry Way. Continue to the roundabout, and then go straight over into London Road (...still following the A1124 Halstead -
Beware there is a speed camera along here!). Follow this for about 3/4 of a mile, continuing straight over two mini roundabouts, to the traffic lights next to the MFI Homeworks. Turn right at these lights into Lexden Straight Road. Continue along Lexden Straight Road, and go straight (no pun) over five mini-roundabouts. The sixth is a double roundabout next to the Leather Bottle pub. The ground is signposted from here, but ignore these signs! Turn left here, and continue for about half a mile to the traffic lights. Turn right into Boadecia Way, and continue to the far end of this rather long road. We parked on Boadecia Way, but for those of your wanting to find the ground, turn left into Layer Road, and the ground is about half a mile along, on the left hand side.
By Bus
First Eastern National buses 64/64A (Shrub End, St Michael's or Layer) leave from Osborne St. at 07, 18, 27, 38, 47 and 58 minutes past each hour daytime, evening at 1838, 1915 and 1945 calling at St. John's Street and Crouch St a minute or two later. Journey time 10 mins. After the match buses from Layer Rd at about 16:44, 16:54, 17:04, 17:14. Evening games at about 21:39 and 22:04.
By Train
If you are travelling by train, it's best to get off at Colchester Town. Turn right outside the station, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing, and catch a bus to the football ground. The special match day buses, stop outside the bingo hall in Osborne Street.
Local Area around Layer Road
Car Parking
There is no cark park at the ground and parking in surrounding street is limited with match day parking restrictions rigidly enforced. An experimental park and ride sponsored by Hart Wilcox is being operated from a car park holding 500+ cars situated on the site of the Sobraon Barracks. ?2 per car.