Events at The Meadow, Stroud

About The Meadow

The Meadow is a small outdoor sports venue and community football ground in the Stroud district, specifically in Brimscombe, Gloucestershire. It is best known as the home of Brimscombe & Thrupp FC (nicknamed the “Lilywhites”), a local semi-professional team formed in the 1970s. The ground consists of one main elevated stand (with a mix of seating and covered terraces) on one side of the pitch, with open grass banks and standing-room areas on the other sides (footygrounds.blogspot.com) (www.botp.co.uk). Floodlights were only installed in 2012 as the club moved up the divisions (www.botp.co.uk), and a metal-framed stand replaced an older wooden one around 2014 (footygrounds.blogspot.com). Despite its modest size (a few hundred people at most), The Meadow’s hillside setting beside the River Frome offers scenic views of the Cotswold valley (www.botp.co.uk). Its rural charm and intimate design – a raised metal stand overlooking grassy embankments – make it a unique and beloved local venue. Historically, Brimscombe & Thrupp played in village leagues until joining the Hellenic League in 2011 (footygrounds.blogspot.com), and The Meadow has been their home ground throughout, cementing its role in local sporting tradition.

Events and Programming

The Meadow’s primary use is football. In a typical season (August to spring), Brimscombe & Thrupp host regular league matches (Hellenic League Premier or Division 1 as appropriate), plus local cup fixtures. Match days bring local fans and visiting supporters, with live play on most Saturday afternoons and some midweek evenings under the new floodlights. Beyond football, the venue now stages occasional community events and festivals. For example, in summer 2025 the club launched the “Lilywhites Beer Festival” – a family-friendly all-day celebration featuring a lineup of local breweries, cider makers, live DJs and food stalls (stroudtimes.com) (www.ticketfairy.com). The Stroud Times noted this was Brimscombe FC’s first beer festival, highlighting a range of drinks and music from local DJs at The Meadow (stroudtimes.com). The club also hosts themed nights such as folk music evenings (e.g. a Folk Night held in Nov 2025 at the clubhouse) and charity events. These are often advertised on the club’s website or local news outlets. In short, The Meadow sees regular football weekends and occasional social/festival events (beer and music festivals, folk nights, charity fundraisers), with ticketed entry mainly handled by the club or event promoters.

Tickets and Booking

For football matches, tickets are usually sold on site at the turnstiles on match days. In recent years the standard price was around £6 for adults and £3 for OAPs or under-16s (footballinberkshire.co.uk). (Children under 16 often enter free or at concession rates.) The club does not offer season-ticket passes, so supporters typically pay per game. Concessions for seniors and juniors help make games affordable – all-ages are welcome at normal matches. For special events (like the beer festival or folk nights), tickets may be available in advance through the club’s channels or may be free on a first-come basis. For example, the 2025 beer festival offered free entry for under-18s (and parking was free) (www.ticketfairy.com) (stroudtimes.com). In practice, popular flyers often sell out quickly, so for large events it’s wise to reserve early via the club’s official page or local promoter. Box office sales are informal: there’s no major ticketing office, so most tickets (football or events) are handled at the club turnstile or via a simple online sign-up. It’s usually safe to arrive 30–60 minutes before kickoff for a big match or 1–2 hours early for a community festival to secure your spot.

Seating and Layout

The Meadow is a basic one-field venue with a fan-friendly layout. The main spectator stand runs along one side of the pitch beside the clubhouse. This stand is a modern metal structure split between bench seating and terrace-style standing (footygrounds.blogspot.com). It is raised roughly 20 feet above pitch level to give a clear view over the play (www.botp.co.uk). On the same side, closer to the clubhouse, there is a covered standing pad and a tea bar stand-section running along the pitch (www.botp.co.uk). Opposite this main stand, behind the other sideline, are the dugouts; fans tend to watch games from the grass embankment or hardstanding here. In fact, the entire ground is encircled by grassy banks and flat standing areas, so much of the crowd is on the same level as the playing surface (footygrounds.blogspot.com) (www.botp.co.uk). There are no assigned seats beyond the main stand – all other viewing is general admission on terrace or grass. The best views are from the covered stand (for shelter) and from high up on the embankments running the length of the pitch. Sightlines are generally good everywhere thanks to the raised stand and open design. There is a small electronic scoreboard and basic PA system for announcements, but otherwise match-day sound and lighting are modest (mostly natural light plus the four floodlamps for evening games). Because it is an open-air ground, weather can affect visibility if rain or fog occurs, so visitors sometimes time their arrival for clear conditions. Overall, the layout encourages a close-up, intimate experience: you can often stand just a few yards from the touchline if you like, except behind the goals where no separate terraces exist.

Getting There and Parking

The Meadow’s address is London Road, Brimscombe, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 2SD (www.brimscombeandthruppfc.co.uk). It lies along the A419 just south-east of Stroud town centre. Driving from Stroud, take the London Road (A419) south-east through Brimscombe and look for the ground on the left after the big industrial roundabouts. From the north (Cirencester) the A419 leads directly to Brimscombe, with The Meadow accessed from a left-turn off London Road. Ample signage (“Brimscombe & Thrupp F.C.”) points to the entrance opposite Toadsmoor Road. Parking is available on site: the club’s main car park (directly off London Road) holds around 40+ vehicles (footballinberkshire.co.uk). There is no charge for parking at matches or events – as one organiser noted, “there is free parking at the venue” for festival attendees (www.ticketfairy.com). Overflow on-street parking may be possible in nearby residential roads, but please respect local driveways.
For public transit, Stagecoach bus routes 54 and 54A (Stroud–Cirencester via Chalford) stop on London Road near Toadsmoor Road, a short walk from the ground. These run roughly hourly during the day. Pulham’s Coaches (route C59X) also serves Brimscombe on its way to Cirencester. Brimscombe village center has a small bus stop (“Brimscombe, opposite Toadsmoor Road”), from which it’s about a 5-minute walk to the gate. The nearest train station is Stroud (on the Gloucester–Swindon line), about 2 miles away; from Stroud station you can take a short taxi ride or the 54 bus toward Brimscombe. For ride-hailing or taxi drop-off, the standard approach is to let out passengers at the London Road entrance (space beyond the gate area allows drop-off). In summary: driving and on-site parking are straightforward, and limited bus service connects Stroud to Brimscombe, but after the game the trains may run infrequently late at night, so plan onward travel accordingly.

Inside the Venue

Upon entering The Meadow, visitors pass through the turnstile by the main stand. Basic ticket checking is done here; outside food and alcohol are discouraged (alcohol is available only from the bar). Inside, facilities are bare-bones but adequate. There is a clubhouse building (adjacent to the stand) with a licensed bar serving beer, cider and soft drinks (footballinberkshire.co.uk). The bar menu typically features a selection of local real ales and lagers, as well as snacks. Next to the clubhouse is a tea hut/tea bar offering tea, coffee and light snacks (prices around £1 per drink) (footballinberkshire.co.uk). Tea, coffee and soft drinks cost about £1 each (footballinberkshire.co.uk), while hot snack rolls or chips (sausages, burgers, etc.) may be available on matchdays. Food trucks or pop-up vendors appear during larger events (e.g. in June 2025 the beer festival had both hot and cold food stalls (stroudtimes.com)).
The atmosphere inside is very much “on the terrace” style. The bar area has basic seating (indoors and on a covered porch), and restrooms (toilets) are located near the clubhouse (men’s and women’s, plus a disabled toilet in the clubhouse). There’s usually a match program or lineup sheet available for regular games (often included with adult admission (footballinberkshire.co.uk)). Small souvenirs like club badges, scarves or hats may be sold at the turnstile or club shop on big match days (footygrounds.blogspot.com). Mobile phone coverage is generally OK around the ground, but wi-fi is not provided (so plan to use mobile data if needed). Beverages are card-friendly at the bar these days, but it’s wise to carry some cash for smaller purchases. The general vibe is friendly and community-focused – expect a family-friendly crowd, local food, and the lively chatter of home supporters.

Nearby Amenities

While The Meadow feels countryside-close, there are handy amenities just a short walk or drive away. The Ship Inn (on Brimscombe Hill) is the nearest pub – a friendly local pub with typical British fare and a good selection of local beers (www.theshipstroud.co.uk). It’s about 5 minutes’ walk uphill from the ground and is popular for pre- and post-match meals (“great British favourites and locally-brewed beers,” as advertised (www.theshipstroud.co.uk)). Also a few minutes’ drive on the A419 is the Burleigh Court Hotel & Restaurant, a large Cotswold-style hotel with a restaurant/bar – convenient for a more formal meal before an evening match. Within Stroud town center (about 2 miles northwest) there are numerous pubs, cafes and restaurants: for example, the Stroud Brewery pub (Lane Ends Brewery taproom), The Bear of Rodborough Hotel, Royal Oak, and many independent cafes in the historic marketplace.
Overnight visitors can stay in Stroud or nearby: good options include Stonehouse Court Hotel and Brimscombe’s own Burleigh Court (as mentioned). A bit farther out, Nailsworth (Egypt Mill Hotel) or Gloucester (Holiday Inn, etc.) offer additional lodging. For late-night transport, note that bus services taper off by around 10–11pm. Taxis are the safest bet for late returns. If you’re coming for a day event, ArriveWell in Stroud or an Uber from Cirencester are also practical near-midnight options. In short, for food or lodging just beyond the ground you have a country pub and a hotel restaurant immediately nearby, while further choices await a short drive into Stroud’s town center.

What Makes This Venue Special

The Meadow’s charm lies in its “throwback” character and beautiful setting. Unlike a modern stadium, it retains a grassroots feel: a small, proud stand overlooks a pitch ringed by grass banks and surrounded by rolling hills. Visiting fans often remark on the panoramic views here – one writer noted the valley scenery and called Brimscombe “a rather lovely part of the world” (www.botp.co.uk). Its metal stand is elevated for great sightlines, and the banks allow dozens more spectators to gather on the touchlines (footygrounds.blogspot.com) (www.botp.co.uk). On matchdays you get a real community vibe: it’s the kind of ground where the announcer might personally welcome you, and local “real ale” flows at the bar (footballinberkshire.co.uk). Physically, the mix of an elevated stand and surrounding grass hills is unique in the region – almost amphitheatrical. The club itself has a storied local history: it rose from village leagues to win promotion into the regional Hellenic Premier division, celebrated with flags and match programmes that now populate the clubhouse. Special events like the new Lilywhites Beer Festival also give it cultural significance: it was set “against the scenic backdrop of The Meadow in Brimscombe,” drawing families and craft beer fans alike (stroudtimes.com) (www.ticketfairy.com). In short, The Meadow is special because it combines a picturesque setting with grassroots sporting heritage – it’s a tiny slice of traditional English football life that few larger venues can match.

Visitor Tips and Information

Accessibility: The Meadow is an outdoor ground on some slopes. The main stand and clubhouse require climbing a few steps, so full wheelchair access is limited. Viewing from the flat areas around the pitch is possible (wheelchairs could use the hardstanding behind the goals), but there are no special ramps to the highest stands. There is at least one disabled parking space close to the entrance (ask on arrival) and a wheelchair-accessible toilet in the clubhouse. If you need help, ring ahead so the club can guide you.
Arrival: Gates generally open about 60 minutes before kickoff for football matches (so arrive by then to avoid missing kick-off). For larger public events (festivals or concerts), arrive even earlier. In wet weather, note that only one side (the main stand) has cover; wearing a rain jacket or bringing an umbrella (outside the stand area) can help. The ground can be muddy in winter, so sturdy shoes are wise.
What to Bring: Aside from tickets/membership, you can safely bring items like a camera (for personal use), binoculars or a small radio. Large backpacks may be checked. Outside drinks and food are not allowed, but water bottles and sealed soft drinks are OK. Bring cash for small purchases – the bar and tea hut take cards, but the point-of-sale can be slow on busy days. Sunscreen and hats are good in summer, as the side stands provide little shade.
Age and Entry: Football matches are open to all ages; children often enter for free or at concession rates (footballinberkshire.co.uk). Evening events with alcohol (like the beer festival) welcome all-ages but children must be supervised. There is no strict dress code – casual attire, team jerseys, or smart-casual for events.
Facilities: Basic amenities include toilets near the clubhouse, a small shop selling club scarves/badges (footygrounds.blogspot.com), and a program stand on matchdays. A matchday programme is usually free with adult admission (footballinberkshire.co.uk). Coat checking is not available. Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas per law. Do tip the bar staff if you’re happy with service!
Local Etiquette: Brimscombe is a quiet community. Please keep noise to a reasonable level when walking back to parking after late games. Litter can be disposed of in bins around the ground – help keep it tidy. Supporters often mingle with players after matches, so don’t be shy to chat with locals in the pub or at the bar.
Stay Updated: Weather can cause postponements on The Meadow due to poor grass conditions. It’s best to check the club’s official social media or local sports news before traveling on uncertain days. For big events (beer festival, etc.), look for updates on Brimscombe & Thrupp FC’s Facebook/Instagram or the Stroud Times. Enjoy your visit to this unique community venue!

Frequently Asked Questions