#7. Franklin’s Gardens (Northampton Saints) – 7/10
Bio: Franklin’s Gardens, located in Northampton, is a historic stadium with a capacity of 15,249. It’s known for its excellent viewing facilities and vibrant atmosphere, offering a mix of modern amenities and traditional charm.
GOOD REVIEW: “Impressive stadium with good facilities, plenty of options for eating and drinking. All seats offer a clear, uninterrupted view of the pitch.”
BAD REVIEW: “Overall a bad experience, which we won’t repeat.”
#6. Sandy Park (Exeter Chiefs) – 7.5/10
Bio: Situated in Exeter, Sandy Park is the home ground of the Exeter Chiefs. Opened in 2006, it has a capacity of 13,593. The stadium is noted for its excellent facilities and accessibility, contributing to a strong matchday experience.
GOOD REVIEW: “I’ve been to most Premiership grounds, and this is one of my favourites. It has easy access, a great crowd, and even though it was a sellout, you could move around and get to the bars and bathrooms without a problem.”
BAD REVIEW: “I was looking forward to my trip to Sandy Park (approx 400-mile round trip to get there), but I was so disappointed and let down by the experience.”
#5. Ashton Gate (Bristol Bears) – 7.5/10
Bio: Ashton Gate, located in Bristol, is home to the Bristol Bears. With a capacity of 27,000, it’s one of the larger stadiums in the Premiership. The venue is praised for its vibrant atmosphere and high-quality facilities, despite some criticisms regarding parking.
GOOD REVIEW: “Always a lively venue on rugby day and well worth booking into one of the Ashton Gate restaurants. The service is top-notch, even when dealing with large crowds. The kitchen produces excellent food, making it a truly enjoyable experience for both business and social outings. Highly recommend this venue.”
BAD REVIEW: “It was an awful stadium with a horrible smell, although that might have been the company I was with. The food was horrible, parking is a nightmare, and the staff are just rude.”
#4. The Recreation Ground (Bath RFC) – 8/10
Bio: The Recreation Ground, commonly known as The Rec, is located in Bath and serves as the home ground for Bath RFC. With a capacity of 14,509, it’s celebrated for its picturesque setting and traditional rugby atmosphere, though it faces some infrastructure challenges.
GOOD REVIEW: “Been here a few times, proper rugby ground, good crowd, easy entrance and exit, plenty of bars and toilets. Never any problems here; if you are a rugby fan, it is a ‘must go’ place.”
BAD REVIEW: “The ground is of similar standard to a non-league football ground and unfit for Premiership Rugby.”