A Leaguer’s guide to Rugby Town
As the League 1 season draws to a close, a quirk of fixtures means that Coventry Bears play the clubs currently in second and first places on consecutive weekends with everything still to play for;
Bears v Oldham, Sunday 1st September, and
Bears v Whitehaven, Saturday 7th September.
So what can travelling fans look forward to?
Getting to Rugby
Many will be coming by coach so that is not a problem, the driver will whisk you straight down the M6 to the ground.
But for those coming down by car, come off the M6 at junction 1, and head down the A426, skirt around the town centre and take a turn down Bilton Rd., then turn right down Webb Ellis road and you are there. For Satnav, key in the postcode CV22 7AU, and there’s plenty of parking when you arrive.
By Rail, it’s easy too, the West Coast main line passes through Rugby, but express trains from the North West tend not to stop there, so a change is probably required, be that at Crewe, Birmingham New street or Coventry.
There is then a pleasant twenty-five minute walk through the town, to Bilton Road, or a bus takes you there in half the time from Abbey Street.
The Webb Ellis Road ground.
The ground is the home of Rugby Lions, and Bears fans have immediately taken to it. It feels like a proper Rugby League ground, compact and intimate comprising a clubhouse with food and drink available, a cowshed stand, and you are very close to the action. You can check out their website here….
http://www.therugbyfootballclub.co.uk
Best pubs around.
Town and Country Social Club (If walking from the Station)
12 Henry Street, CV21 2QA
A friendly and welcoming social club with a Rugby League Supporter as it’s Landlord! Drop in and say hello and take advantage of the cheap prices.
The Merchant’s Inn
Is a town centre pub, lively, with a good atmosphere and choice of beers. It bills itself as ‘the Pub of Rugby’ and has won various awards.
5-7 Little Church Street CV21 3AN
William Webb Ellis
A familiar name, this pub also gets good reviews especially for the quality and value of the food on offer.
22, Warwick Street, Rugby CV21 3DN
Why not stay a little longer?
Rugby is a little off the beaten track for tourists, who flock to nearby Stratford on Avon, Warwick with its Castle and of course Coventry itself, all of which are well worth a visit if you are making a weekend of it.
But if you are have some time in Rugby what does it have to offer?
Elliotts Field Retail Park
Is on the A426 going into Rugby and it gets surprisingly good reviews on Trip-advisor, being the sixth highest rated attraction in Rugby, [make of that what you will!!]
What else is Rugby famous for?
Mythology has it that a certain William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a game of football [soccer] at Rugby School, which then gave its name to the sport.
Now we all know what happened in 1895, when we became the ‘black sheep of the family’ following a row about money, followed by a century of not speaking to each other.
But the family tree of Rugby League does lead back to this town, and there’s now a niche tourism industry celebrating the games’ [yes plural] birthplace;
The Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum
5-6 St Matthews Street CV21 3BY
Is housed inside the former workshop where William Gilbert manufactured the first Rugby balls, this little museum has a wealth of memorabilia on show, boasts free entry but is shut on Sundays.
The World Rugby Hall of Fame,
Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Little Elborow Street CV21 3BZ
Is open seven days a week and charts the history and global stretch of the game via impressive displays. Cost £6 adults, kids free.
To find out more about Rugby and its attractions, visit;
Coventry Bears, their staff and supporters and our friends at Rugby Lions look forward to welcoming away fans to a thrilling end to the season.