Forest Green Rovers are based at The New Lawn in Nailsworth and are widely known for their environmental identity. The club reached the Football League for the first time in 2017, later climbing as high as League One, before returning to the National League. Their vegan, sustainability-led model makes them distinctive in English football.
The New Lawn is one of the most distinctive grounds in the National League, not because of its size, but because of Forest Green Rovers' wider identity. Set high above Nailsworth, it is a compact modern non-league stadium with a strong environmental theme, vegan food offering and a matchday feel that is very different from most traditional football grounds.
The stadium has covered seating along the main side, terraced accommodation around other parts of the ground and a relatively tight, enclosed feel. The setting is unusual, with the ground sitting above the town rather than in a town-centre location. That makes it scenic, but also means travel and parking need more planning than at a station-side ground.
For neutrals, the main seated stand gives the most comfortable view. The terraces offer a more traditional experience, but the ground is exposed in places and the hilltop location can make weather feel more noticeable. The New Lawn is not a large stadium, but it is organised, clean and very recognisably Forest Green.
Gloucestershire’s sharpest modern rivalry, with Cheltenham’s established EFL identity meeting Forest Green’s rapid rise and distinctive club profile.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
A Gloucestershire rivalry shaped by local pride, especially as Forest Green’s rise changed the balance of football status in the county.
No upcoming rivalry fixture currently listed.
Away supporters at Forest Green are normally housed on the West Terrace side of The New Lawn, with visiting allocations often described as a standing terrace allocation. The away area is close to the pitch and gives a decent view, but it is not the same kind of large covered end found at bigger league grounds.
Away seating and accessibility arrangements need particular care. Level Playing Field information notes that away wheelchair users may be accommodated in the home stand because there is no accessibility to the away end, so disabled away supporters should contact the club well before travelling rather than assuming they can watch from the main away terrace.
The away turnstile area is close to the fan zone, which is commonly used by both home and away supporters before the match when segregation arrangements allow. The away section is functional and friendly enough for most fixtures, but supporters should check the fixture information because allocation, ticket sales and matchday availability can vary.
Use the M5 south to Junction 13, then follow the A419 towards Stroud and Nailsworth. the climb into Nailsworth uses smaller Cotswold roads.
Use the M5 north to Junction 13, then follow the A419 towards Stroud and Nailsworth. official parking and traffic advice is important near the ground.
Use the A419/A420 or A429 towards Cirencester and Stroud, then head into Nailsworth on the main signed routes. the Cotswold roads can be slower than they look.
Use the M4/M5 or A48/A38 to reach the M5 corridor, then leave at Junction 13 for Stroud and Nailsworth. casual street parking close to The New Lawn is limited.
Stroud is the best rail station for Forest Green Rovers. It is served by Great Western Railway services, with many supporters changing through Swindon, Gloucester, Cheltenham or Bristol depending on where they start.
The New Lawn is in Nailsworth rather than Stroud itself, so the train journey does not take you right to the ground. Plan a bus or taxi for the final section.
Walking from Stroud station to The New Lawn is not recommended for most supporters. The route to Nailsworth is several miles and includes main roads, hills and sections that are not ideal as a matchday walk.
Use Stroud as the railhead, then take a bus or taxi towards Nailsworth. If you do walk, plan the route in advance, allow well over an hour and be prepared for a climb towards the stadium.
Bristol Airport is usually the best airport for Forest Green Rovers. Take the Airport Flyer to Bristol Temple Meads, then the train to Stroud. From Stroud, use a bus or taxi to Nailsworth and The New Lawn.
The final leg matters because the stadium is not in Stroud itself. Pre-plan the Stroud-to-Nailsworth section, especially for evening matches.
Birmingham Airport can be useful if it gives better flight choice. The airport is directly linked to Birmingham International station, then you can travel via Birmingham New Street and Cheltenham or Gloucester towards Stroud.
It is a longer rail journey than Bristol, but it can be easier for some routes because you are on the rail network immediately.
Stagecoach route 40 between Stroud and Nailsworth is the main public transport route to check for Forest Green Rovers. It is the most practical bus link from Stroud station towards Nailsworth and The New Lawn.
Check return times carefully, especially for evening games, because missing the last useful bus can leave you needing a taxi.
Stagecoach services in the Stroud and Nailsworth corridor can help with the final leg to The New Lawn, depending on the exact timetable and stop. They are useful if you are staying in Stroud, Nailsworth or nearby villages.
The stadium is up from the town, so check both the nearest stop and the walking climb before travelling.
Wonky Cars are a Stroud taxi/private-hire option and are useful for the trip from Stroud station to Nailsworth and The New Lawn. A taxi is often the best final leg for away fans arriving by train.
Pre-booking is strongly recommended, especially after evening fixtures.
Stroud Taxi Services are another useful local option for the Stroud to Nailsworth journey. They can also help if you are staying in rural accommodation where buses are less frequent.
Arrange a return pick-up in advance if you need to get back to Stroud station after full-time.
Nailsworth School car park is a key matchday option for Forest Green Rovers and is commonly used by visiting supporters. Recent supporter information has described parking here as first come, first served and around £5 per car, with card or contactless payment.
Approach Nailsworth carefully and follow matchday signage or stewards. The car park is much better than trying to park in the residential streets around The New Lawn.
Nailsworth town parking can be used if you arrive early and are happy with the climb towards The New Lawn. The town is small, so do not expect large-city capacity or lots of spare spaces close to kick-off.
Check pay-and-display rules and avoid residential roads where parking would inconvenience locals. For bigger games, the school or official matchday arrangements are the safer plan.
A Nailsworth pub close enough to work as a pre-match stop before climbing towards The New Lawn. It is better for early arrivals than a last-minute stadium dash.
A local Nailsworth pub, useful if you want to stay in town before heading up to Forest Green. Check matchday bus/taxi plans for the final climb.
A popular Italian restaurant in Nailsworth, useful for a proper pre-match meal if you arrive early and book ahead.
A well-known Nailsworth deli and seafood/food stop, ideal for daytime arrivals wanting something local before the match.
A characterful hotel and restaurant in Nailsworth, one of the best local stay options for The New Lawn.
The New Lawn is not a ground where supporters should leave travel planning until the last minute. Nailsworth is a small town, the stadium sits up the hill, and parking close to the ground is limited. Drivers should check the club's latest parking and travel advice and allow extra time for the final approach.
The nearest main railway option is Stroud, with onward travel by bus, taxi or other local transport. Walking from Stroud is not realistic for most supporters, and even from Nailsworth town centre the route to the stadium involves a climb. Supporters relying on public transport should plan the return journey before travelling.
For neutrals, the main seated stand is the best choice for comfort and view. Away supporters should check whether matchday sales are available, as Forest Green has operated cashless ticketing and card-only matchday purchases in recent seasons. Supporters should also remember that the stadium food offering is famously meat-free, so it is not a standard football pie-and-burger type ground.
Forest Green Rovers tickets are sold online through the club ticketing system, with the club advising first-time visitors that online purchase is the easiest option. Tickets can also normally be bought by phone or in person, depending on the fixture and sales window.
Away supporters should check the visiting club and Forest Green ticket information before travelling. Matchday sales, when available, are usually handled through the ticket office, and The New Lawn has operated as a cashless stadium with card payment required. Some matchday purchases may also carry a print charge.
For home or neutral supporters, the main seated stand is the best choice for the clearest view and most comfort. Away supporters should buy in the designated away allocation and should not rely on being able to move into home areas. Disabled away supporters should make arrangements especially early because accessible away provision is not straightforward at this ground.
The New Lawn operates standard football ground regulations, with ticket checks, stewarding and possible searches at entry. The stadium is cashless for many matchday operations, so supporters should bring a suitable payment card.
Flares, smoke devices, fireworks, alcohol brought into the ground, glass bottles, weapons and other dangerous items are not permitted. Supporters should also check with the club before bringing large flags, banners, drums or other items that may require approval.
Forest Green has a strong environmental identity and supporters should respect the club's site rules around waste, recycling and behaviour around the stadium. Parking restrictions in the surrounding area should also be followed carefully, as the ground is in a small residential and semi-rural setting.
Forest Green provide accessibility information for The New Lawn, but away disabled supporters should plan carefully. Level Playing Field information notes that away wheelchair users may be placed in the home stand because there is no accessibility to the away end. This makes advance contact essential.
Supporters requiring wheelchair spaces, companion tickets, step-free entry or other assistance should contact the club before buying or travelling. The stadium's hilltop location and limited nearby parking can make access more challenging for some supporters, especially if arrangements are left until matchday.
Accessible toilets and food concessions are available around the stadium, but some counters may not be low level and supporters may need staff assistance. Anyone with specific requirements should contact Forest Green in advance to confirm the most suitable entrance, viewing area and parking or drop-off arrangements.
There does not appear to be a regular public stadium tour programme at The New Lawn. Forest Green do provide visitor information and promote the club's distinctive matchday experience, but routine bookable stadium tours are not clearly advertised.
Supporters interested in a private group visit, community visit or sustainability-related club access should contact Forest Green directly. For most fans, the realistic way to experience The New Lawn is through a matchday visit rather than a formal tour.
A National Trust valley walk close to Nailsworth. It is best for supporters arriving early by car and making a day of it in the Cotswolds.
Official club website. Use this for the latest club news, fixture information, tickets, supporter notices and matchday updates.