We havent played Notts County much in the past 25 years or so and then its usually been a night game, so all the info you need for our first Saturday trip to Meadow Lane since 1982.
If you were there on that rainy Saturday in March 1982 then you would not recognise the home of Notts County, indeed its been completely rebuilt since our last league visit in 1981, although some may have attended the Carling Cup disaster of 2006, ironically four years ago this very week.
Getting There.
By car its fairly simple, come off the M1 at Junction 24 and then take the A453 past the giant cooling towers and straight into Nottingham via Trent Bridge, when you cross the river by Nottingham Forest's ground, Meadow Lane is on the right hand side.
There is plenty of parking in the vicinity, both in the official club car park and the Cattle Market behind the Jimmy Sirrell Stand, this is the usual away parking area although there is also plenty of street parking avalable, just watch out for match day restrictions..
By Train is also easy, in the Nottingham Midland Station is only about a 5-10 minute walk to the ground, just come out of the station and turn left, Meadow Lane is then on you left after turning right onto the dual carriage way.
Drinking Etc
Many Saints fans enjoyed the hospitality of the Notts County supporters club when we visited Forest a couple of seasons ago, however its likely to be home fans only on Saturday, so I wouldnt bank on getting in, however there are plenty of other options in the vicinity.
On the main London Road, just across from the hump back bridge over the canal, is the newly refurbished and renamed Globe. A comfortable open-plan pub with good food and 5 ever-changing real ales (however no children are allowed). Just the other side of Trent Bridge is the Southbank, the Globe's sister pub. It also serves excellent food and has sport on the numerous televisions; three real ales are offered here including one from the tiny local Mallards brewery.
Many Saints fans may opt to park on the Forest side of the river and use the big Trent Bridge pub facing the bridge itself, from there its a short walk to the ground.
Just across from the front of the station down Queensbridge Road is the "Vat and Fiddle" situated next door to the Castle Rock micro-brewery. It offers ten real ales and hot and cold food. Children are welcome'. It is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.