I’m taking my son to his first live cricket match on Friday, the T20 at Old Trafford v Northants. It’s ages since I’ve been to Old Trafford and the first time I’ve driven. Where is best for parking? Obviously I’d expect to pay.

Not been for a few years, since I took Yorky MDWat to watch us thrash Yorkshire back in 2013. We actually parked in Sainsbury's that night, they have an area for the cricket and it's only a few minutes walk.

Another option is to park away from OT and use the tram.

I think there's street parking near by if early enough or the football club. Alternative is parking up at Bury and getting the tram in. It stops right next to the cricket ground.

There's a few places at or near the Trafford Hotel which will cost you a tenner as will parking at the football ground. Do not, whatever you do, be fooled in to street parking by blokes in high viz jackets! Did that to my cost at the Test Match in 2019!!

I suspect Martin isn't coming from Burnley but if using the tram I'd check the stops between Old Trafford and Altrincham to see if there are any with car parks. It means you are not getting a tram back into the city after the game.

The town hall, or the school opposite the ground.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Tony’s right, I’m not travelling from Burnley, I’ll be approaching Manchester from the M56. Sale Water Park park and ride is looking the best bet at the moment. Tram goes to Trafford Bar rather than Old Trafford but I think that’s just a few minutes away.

martin_p wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 12:18 pm

Thanks for the advice everyone. Tony’s right, I’m not travelling from Burnley, I’ll be approaching Manchester from the M56. Sale Water Park park and ride is looking the best bet at the moment. Tram goes to Trafford Bar rather than Old Trafford but I think that’s just a few minutes away.

That will be the easiest way probably, easy to get back on the motorway from there too. Trafford Bar is also one tram stop from Old Trafford.

Milltown1882 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 12:31 pm

That will be the easiest way probably, easy to get back on the motorway from there too. Trafford Bar is also one tram stop from Old Trafford.

By the time he has climbed up over the bridge and back down to switch trams, for one stop he may as well have walked it.
It's only 5 min walk from Trafford bar.

martin_p wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 12:18 pm

Thanks for the advice everyone. Tony’s right, I’m not travelling from Burnley, I’ll be approaching Manchester from the M56. Sale Water Park park and ride is looking the best bet at the moment. Tram goes to Trafford Bar rather than Old Trafford but I think that’s just a few minutes away.

I was a bit baffled initially because trams in from Sale would use Old Trafford but just seen the Water Park is on the Airport Line. I reckon it’s closer to a ten minute walk from Trafford Bar to the cricket ground.

It’s useful making use of the trams - we always do it for the football.

I park in the B&Q next to the cricket ground when i go to Old Trafford for the football. I would imagine they would have some spaces for cricket too.

EDIT: just checked, the B&Q closed down a while ago, so not sure if the car park is still open.

I parked on Trafford college a couple of years ago when I saw the Stones. Cost about £10 from memory

The last time i went i gave The Stretford Railway Club a ring , it's on Chester Rd next to the Vauxhall dealer .. I told them i
was going to the cricket with my family and would i be able to park if we nipped in the club for a couple ... free parking and
cheap beer

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 1:29 pm

I was a bit baffled initially because trams in from Sale would use Old Trafford but just seen the Water Park is on the Airport Line. I reckon it’s closer to a ten minute walk from Trafford Bar to the cricket ground.

It’s useful making use of the trams - we always do it for the football.

Yep, a ten minute walk will be fine. Sale park and ride only has about 25 spaces so probably a decent chance of getting there and finding it full, whereas the water park has nearly 300 spaces so seemed a better bet.

We always park at the Lowry, multi storey, short walk to the ground.

beddie wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 2:54 pm

We always park at the Lowry, multi storey, short walk to the ground.

20 to 25 minutes walk I would think.

Foshiznik wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 1:34 pm

I park in the B&Q next to the cricket ground when i go to Old Trafford for the football. I would imagine they would have some spaces for cricket too.

EDIT: just checked, the B&Q closed down a while ago, so not sure if the car park is still open.

The old B and Q is fenced off. No access to it.

beddie wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 2:54 pm

We always park at the Lowry, multi storey, short walk to the ground.

We've walked from there to the football but not the cricket

martin_p wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 2:17 pm

Yep, a ten minute walk will be fine. Sale park and ride only has about 25 spaces so probably a decent chance of getting there and finding it full, whereas the water park has nearly 300 spaces so seemed a better bet.

Ok I have lied. Traveline route planner is giving the walk at 15 mins.

I live here, so I said 5 mins. I concede defat, but I will go with a10 mins, walk.
It gives the tram journey from Sale Water Park to Trafford Bar as 11mins. (wave as you pass my house!)
Interestingly it doesn't seem to want you to change trams, but walk it.
Overall, I think you are wise to use the car park at Sale Water Park, it's free with a valid tram ticket.

2 questions though.
1/. Can you tell me if you see any dogging going on in/around the car park?
Just out of interest you understand.

2/. Will you let us know how long the walk actually takes please?
I suppose it depends which part of the ground you are walking to.
It seems to be geeting bigger and bigger.

martin_p wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 2:17 pm

Yep, a ten minute walk will be fine. Sale park and ride only has about 25 spaces so probably a decent chance of getting there and finding it full, whereas the water park has nearly 300 spaces so seemed a better bet.

With the same tram ticket you could get the tram to Trafford Bar, then get the Altrincham tram to Old Trafford. Think it is zones 2 and 3 ticket needed

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 4:30 pm

With the same tram ticket you could get the tram to Trafford Bar, then get the Altrincham tram to Old Trafford. Think it is zones 2 and 3 ticket needed

It is Zones 2 and 3 -they are £3.10

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 4:30 pm

With the same tram ticket you could get the tram to Trafford Bar, then get the Altrincham tram to Old Trafford. Think it is zones 2 and 3 ticket needed

My last post on this.

It's an 8 minute walk to change trams.
By the time he has got up the ramps off hisplatform he is half way to old trafford.
Then you want him to walk away from old trafford, across a bridge then back down several ramps to be on
the correct platform to get the Altrincham tram and get off at Old Trafford? Now all this assumes there is
a tram waiting for him. He could then be faced with a 12 minute wait.
So all in all, worst case scenario this could all take 20 minutes, for the sake of not having to walk 10 minutes?

Mind you it would help if we knew which stand he was in.
Plus I want to find out if he sees any dogging. (ulterior motives at play here)

2 Bee Holed wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 4:43 pm

My last post on this.

It's an 8 minute walk to change trams.
By the time he has got up the ramps off hisplatform he is half way to old trafford.
Then you want him to walk away from old trafford, across a bridge then back down several ramps to be on
the correct platform to get the Altrincham tram and get off at Old Trafford? Now all this assumes there is
a tram waiting for him. He could then be faced with a 12 minute wait.
So all in all, worst case scenario this could all take 20 minutes, for the sake of not having to walk 10 minutes?

Mind you it would help if we knew which stand he was in.
Plus I want to find out if he sees any dogging. (ulterior motives at play here)

I have no idea how old his son is, the weather will either be hot or pi$$ing it down both not the best walk with a young un, although with the mention of dogging I guess his lad maybe be of an age where the walk is preferred.

My boy is nearly seven and I’m sure he’ll manage a ten minute walk. Might have to pass on the dogging report though!

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 4:04 pm

We've walked from there to the football but not the cricket

It’s only 10 minutes if you jog

I’m also going to Old Trafford with my son on Friday for the T20 Blast game.
Just put Kings Road Manchester in your Sat Nav and park on there for free. It’s about a 10 minute walk to the ground providing you park at the right end of the road near the roundabout with a great pub called the Quadrant. We’ve been parking on there for a few years now with no problem and it’s only a few minutes drive from the motorway. Just make sure you park at the right end of the road or you can add an extra 10 minutes walk to the cricket ground as Kings Road is a very long road.

Man United are offering their car by park N3 for the game for £10 which would give you a great route in on the motorway and a great route out. Cost is £10 ( no discount for members) but a 24 minute walk to the ground.

Better Call Saul wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 07, 2021 11:40 pm

I’m also going to Old Trafford with my son on Friday for the T20 Blast game.
Just put Kings Road Manchester in your Sat Nav and park on there for free. It’s about a 10 minute walk to the ground providing you park at the right end of the road near the roundabout with a great pub called the Quadrant. We’ve been parking on there for a few years now with no problem and it’s only a few minutes drive from the motorway. Just make sure you park at the right end of the road or you can add an extra 10 minutes walk to the cricket ground as Kings Road is a very long road.

Love The Quadrant. Brilliant pub

Anyone with any advice on where to park for Headingley? Going for the T20 v Pakistan.

Foulthrow wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 08, 2021 7:53 am

Anyone with any advice on where to park for Headingley? Going for the T20 v Pakistan.

Not Sale Water Park.

2 Bee Holed wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 08, 2021 8:03 am

Not Sale Water Park.

Sounds a nice place though

Heads up for anyone that the Bury trams aren't running through to Altrincham at the minute, so you'll need to change in town.

I live in Didsbury and go to the cricket on a fairly regular basis and usually park on the streets on the opposite side of Old Trafford tram stop.

Set your Sat Nav for Firswood tram stop M16 0GA and park on any of the streets between there and Old Trafford tram stop M16 0PX. you can cross the lines at that stop on foot and bingo you are at the ground.

Problem with trams is limited capacity owing to Covid and you may have to wait longer than usual. Parking where I suggest means you will be in your car and away in less time than it will take you to walk to Trafford Bar never mind waiting for a tram with enough space

By the way, check your tickets are valid before you set off. I had tickets for the last home game and they were cancelled the morning of the game because of further capacity restrictions owing to covid