Ground Guide - The Hive Barnet FC

rudebwoyben

Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
4,526
Reaction score
1,554
Points
113
Location
London WC1E
Supports
Barnet
Ground Guide - The Hive Barnet FC

How Easy Was The Ground to Get To (from the station, by car, etc)

Unlike a lot of other grounds in London, driving to the Hive is an option. From the North, I'd probably exit the M1 at Junction 4, while from the south it is possible to exit the North Circular Road at Staples Corner, then take the A5 up to Edgware and then turn left onto either Whitchurch Lane or Camrose Avenue.
There is car parking at the ground accessible from Camrose Avenue but it is a tad pricey at £5 on matchday and it will take a while to exit the car park after a match. Other options include free parking on Honeypot Lane and then walking (about 10 minutes), parking at Canons Park Station (much cheaper for Saturday matches) or parking at Stanmore station and then taking the tube a stop down to Canons Park.
Public transport links are pretty good. Both Canons Park and Queensbury stations are on the Jubilee line and are walking distance to the Hive (5 minutes from Canons Park; 10 minutes but uphill from Queensbury). If you get off at Canons Park, you'll have a scenic walk through the rest of the training complex.

If Applicable, How is Parking Near The Ground?
See above. There are options but getting away can be an issue.

Based on Where You Were Sat, How Was the View?
Away fans will have the option of either standing in the North Terrace or sitting in the away section of the West Stand. The stadium is only 2 years old so is modern with no pillars in the way. The view from the stand is excellent and it is a comfortable place to sit. The view from the terrace is not so great although perfectly adequate as it is only a shallow terrace with only a few metal (not concrete!) steps. Be aware that the away terrace is due to be replaced by a seated stand. Planning permission has been granted for this work but I don't know when this will be effected.

How Were The Stewards on The Day?
In our first season at the Hive , some away followings did have issues with our stewards where it seems that our stewards showed their lack of experience in dealing professionally with large away followings. It seems that they have learnt from this.

If You Ate at The Ground, How Would You Rate the Food?
There is quite a wide variety of food on sale at the Hive now, especially if you can gain access to the home Hive Bar where they sell a variety of cooked meals and you can watch Sky Sports. The away section has a bar under the stand as well.

How Was The Atmosphere At The Ground, From Both Sets of Supporters? Does the Stadium Hold the Noise?
I would say that creating an atmosphere at the Hive has been a problem for us where even a fairly modest away following can outsing us. Most of the Barnet regulars prefer to sit in the West Stand (as the view is so much better) so the contingent of home fans on the South Terrace is too small to make a lot of noise. Away fans, being congregated on one terrace, can certainly make a lot of noise.

How Are the Pubs and Local Attractions in The Local Area?
As stated before, away fans whether seated or standing can access the bar under the away section of the stand. Away from the ground, options are limited. There is one tiny bar at Canons Park called Marranos but nothing in Queensbury. You would be better off drinking in Stanmore or Central London. In terms of food, there are more options in Queensbury including a Asian Kenyan fish and chip restaurant!

Overall Score Out of 10?
7.5 Still room for improvement but it is coming along.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Laker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
3,405
Reaction score
1,424
Points
113
Supports
Cambridge United
How Easy Was The Ground to Get To (from the station, by car, etc)
We travelled by car. From the north it is straight down the A1 until you start hitting roundabouts and then you follow the A5109 (from memory) through Edgware and on to Barnet. From leaving the A1 it takes around 5-10 mins. It's fairly easy but I'd definitely recommend sat nav or route planning it as it wasn't particularly well sign posted.

If Applicable, How is Parking Near The Ground?
We got there quite early and therefore we parked in the car park at the ground. It costs £5 on match day (with a car full that's fine by me) and you have to buy a token from the kiosk to be able to get out afterwards. Quite quick getting out afterwards, I walked in my front door (just outside Cambridge) at 6.15.

Based on Where You Were Sat, How Was the View?
We were behind the goal, a small terraces stand of about 6 or 7 steps deep and apparently holds somewhere around 872 people. As you can imagine from a sag allow terrace, the elevation isn't great and therefore the view isn't superb but I've experienced a lot worse and it is at least covered.

We were also allocated around a quarter of the main stand to our right which is mouth more of an imposing stand and I imagine the view is good in there.

How Were The Stewards on The Day?
They were fine this time round, badly saw them and those we did speak to were generally quite helpful. I didn't go to our first visit to the Hive but I understand the stewards were a nightmare so kudos to the club for fixing it rather than letting it go on like at mansfield!

If You Ate at The Ground, How Would You Rate the Food?
I had a cheese burger, cost £4.50 and was pretty average League 2 fare - ie tasteless. There was also some confusion when myself and the customer before me ordered the same which foxed the girls working there. "Who do we give this to?!?"

How Was The Atmosphere At The Ground, From Both Sets of Supporters? Does the Stadium Hold the Noise?
We had very little to shout about and therefore we were generally subdued but the moments of mild excitement did result in the noise hiding nicely and our "Yellow and Black Army" chant reverberated nicely along the terrace at times.

Barnet fans were generally quite quiet as the majority of their noisier group were in the main stand and they only sang infrequently.

How Are the Pubs and Local Attractions in The Local Area?
We didn't venture out into Barnet or Edgware (god forbid!) but we did drink in the "away bar" under the main stand which can be accessed by away fans who have seated or standing tickets. They showed the early game, had Estrella and a couple of decent ales on tap, and if was generally ok. It's a little small and a little on the pricey side (London prices and football prices I guess). Due to it's size, a lot of Cambridge fans drank on the concourse outside and got no hassle from stewards, was all good.

Overall Score Out of 10?
7 I'd say. The terraced stand isn't the best and the facilities are ok but nothing to blow your mind. But it was on the whole a decent experience which means I would return.
 

Smudge

Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
1,122
Reaction score
296
Points
83
Location
Lancashire
Supports
Everton
Twitter
@SmudgeEFC1985
How Easy Was The Ground to Get To (from the station, by car, etc)
I was going into London for the rest of the day, so made sense to drive and park at Canon's Park, which is only £2 all day on a Saturday and about a 5 minute walk to the ground. Just be aware if you're travelling here from Central London, it's a good 25 minutes at least.

If Applicable, How is Parking Near The Ground?
I parked at the train station.

Based on Where You Were Sat, How Was the View?
I was in the home South Terrace. Covered and only quite small, but unobscured view, and steep enough at least that you could see over the goal frame, unlike Crawley!

How Were The Stewards on The Day?
I was in the home end and dont think I actually saw any!

If You Ate at The Ground, How Would You Rate the Food?
I didnt eat as I was heading back into London for my tea after.

How Was The Atmosphere At The Ground, From Both Sets of Supporters? Does the Stadium Hold the Noise?
It wasnt too bad. When the terrace I was in did make a little bit of noise, it was obvious that you definitely can. Especially as its made of metal and not concrete. Most of the noisier home fans were in the West Stand. Dagenham fans were quite noisy to start off but gave up a bit as their team were awful. Probably didnt help the atmosphere on this day either that the North Terrace was empty and all of the Dagenham fans were in the West Stand.

How Are the Pubs and Local Attractions in The Local Area?
I didnt have a chance to look around near the station. There are a couple of bars and a cafe at the ground though.

Overall Score Out of 10?
Considering it was a few training pitches and an office building just a couple of years ago, Barnet are doing very well to turn it into a proper home. Its not quite there yet, but it's not to bad at the moment and will only improve.
6/10
 

rudebwoyben

Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
4,526
Reaction score
1,554
Points
113
Location
London WC1E
Supports
Barnet
I think I would give the Hive a similar figure based on your experience (standing in the South Terrace). You get a better match day experience if you go in the West Stand.
At least you saw us on a good day and you saw a few goals!
 

Smudge

Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
1,122
Reaction score
296
Points
83
Location
Lancashire
Supports
Everton
Twitter
@SmudgeEFC1985
A very good day to be fair! From a neutral perspective, it was a really good game. Akinde could have had a hattrick on his own!
 

rudebwoyben

Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
4,526
Reaction score
1,554
Points
113
Location
London WC1E
Supports
Barnet
Just to let you know that unless you're part of a large away following (800 and above), the North Terrace will be closed and away fans will have to sit in the West Stand where you'll have to pay £23.
 

BeesKnees

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Messages
1,886
Reaction score
567
Points
113
Location
Berkshire
Supports
Barnet FC
Just to let you know that unless you're part of a large away following (800 and above), the North Terrace will be closed and away fans will have to sit in the West Stand where you'll have to pay £23.
This has now changed. From next season away support will be in a new 1900 capacity north stand. Still £23.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
16,422
Messages
1,189,982
Members
8,392
Latest member
feby2112

Latest posts

Stronger Security, Faster Connections with VPN at IPVanish.com!

SITE SPONSORS

W88 W88 trang chu KUBET Thailand
Fun88 12Bet Get top UK casino bonuses for British players in casinos not on GamStop
The best ₤1 minimum deposit casinos UK not on GamStop Find the best new no deposit casino get bonus and play legendary slots Best UK online casinos list 2022
No-Verification.Casino Casinos that accept PayPal Top online casinos
sure.bet
Need help with your academic papers? Customwritings offers high-quality professionals to write essays that deserve an A!
Top