Franklin’s Gardens/cinch Stadium (Northampton)

Franklin’s Gardens is a purpose-built rugby stadium in Northampton, England. It is the home stadium of Northampton Saints. The stadium holds 15,249 people. It is also a conference, meeting & events venue as well as the first Premiership Rugby ground with its own cenotaph, the setting for a ceremony every Remembrance Weekend.

General information

Official website: https://www.franklinsgardens.co.uk/

Arena capacity: 15,200 spectators

Address: Weedon Rd, Northampton NN5 5BG, United Kingdom

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 52.2406° N, 0.9188° W

Year of construction: 1880

Construction cost: £10,000,000

Seating plan of Franklin’s Gardens

The Carlsberg Stand

The Carlsberg Stand (formerly the Tetley’s stand) holds 6,000 (est) people and has 19 executive boxes. The stand’s capacity is split between the Gordon Terrace (named after former club secretary Jerry Gordon) and seating. Unlike premier league football stadiums, standing is allowed at rugby stadiums and the terracing was included as a specific part of the design. All of the people in the stand are under cover.

The Carlsberg Stand also includes the club’s major conferencing facilities, including the Rodber Suite, Captains’ Suite and Heroes’ Bar. There is full wireless internet access throughout the stand. Facilities including all the bars and suites were refurbished to simulate the look and feel of the members’ bar located in the Barwell Stand in 2016.

The Cinch Stand

In 2005 the South Stand was doubled in size raising the Gardens capacity from 12,100 to 13,591. The redevelopment involved extending the South Stand over the lake in the village area of the ground to make room for additional seating, seven new boxes, a premium members’ club, as well another bar and extra toilet facilities.

The Church’s Stand

The Church’s Stand is the ‘third’ all-seater stand. It was developed and completed the horseshoe in the summer of 2002. It was opened by five club legends, former captains – Ron Jacobs, Don White, Gary Pearce, David Powell and Vince Cannon in November 2002.

The stand replaced the old Members’ Stand which had lasted since the 1920s. It contains both the home and away dressing rooms, TV camera gantry, press bench, press room and a cinema for Saint’s players (this was a bar until the Barwell Stand development).

The Barwell Stand

This is to the North of the ground and takes the name of the Barwell family, who were influential in making Northampton Saints one of English rugby’s leading clubs at the turn of the professional era in the mid-1990s. This stand houses the members’ bar, corporate facilities, control room, the Sturtridge Suite and approximately 2,000 seats. It also houses a war memorial to former Saints players who died in the 1st and 2nd World Wars.

The Sturtridge Pavilion

The 1966/67 season kicked off with style with the opening of the Peter Haddon designed Gordon Sturtridge Pavilion, marked by a floodlit game between the Saints and an R E G Jeeps XV. The pavilion enhanced the Gardens’ reputation for being one of the finest rugby grounds in the country.

How to get there?

There are 4 ways to get from Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton Saints to Northampton by bus, taxi or foot.

By Car

Franklin’s Gardens has over 2,000 spaces available across six car parks, all within easy walking distance of the stadium itself. Given that Franklin’s Gardens is in a residential area of the town, the Saints management strongly urges all supporters to use the club’s car parks. Should they choose not to do so, supporters must park with due care and respect to the needs of local residents and businesses.

From North: Exit off motorway at junction 16 and follow the A45 to Northampton. At Cineworld roundabout turn right (down the hill). At TGI Fridays turn left and then straight over the next roundabout (the football ground should now be on your left). Follow signs to car parks.

From South: Exit off motorway at junction 15A and follow the signs towards Sixfields. Turn right at roundabout (next to TGI Fridays) where Saints supporter car parks are clearly marked. Go straight over mini roundabout next to the Walter Tull Memorial and follow signs for car parks. There are season ticket car parks and pay and display car parks available.

From Welford, Market Harborough Areas: Continue down the A508 (from Market Harborough) or A5199 (from Welford) to the Kingsthorpe area of Northampton. Turn right at the major set of traffic lights (The Cock Hotel is on the corner), signposted Sixfields. Continue on this road until you get to Cineworld roundabout (approx 3 miles) – go straight over and down the hill. Then continue as from M1 North.

From East: Follow A45 to M1 junction 15. Head north to junction 15A then follow directions from the South.

Disabled Car Parking: Disabled car parking places can be booked in advance, but are normally taken up by season pass holders. Disabled supporters can be dropped off by the Saints Ticket Office, with drivers then able to use the club main car parks.

By Train

London Midland Trains serve Northampton from as far afield as Birmingham, London, and other major centres of population along this part of the West Coast Main Line. Both Birmingham and London are approx. one hour’s travel time from Northampton, with Franklin’s Gardens a short walk (or shorter bus ride – see below) from Northampton station.

By Bus

A number of bus services operate along Weedon Road, with stops outside Franklin’s Gardens.

• Number 5 runs between Northampton town centre and New Duston.
• Numbers 9 and 9A run between Northampton town centre and Duston.
• Numbers 15 and 15A run between Northampton town centre and St Crispins.
• Numbers D1, D2 and D3 run between Northampton town centre and Weedon and Daventry
• Number 50 runs between Northampton town centre and Swan Valley, with a stop on Edgar Mobbs Way by the Saints; official car parks.
• Number 3 runs between Northampton town centre and Harlestone Manor, with a stop at the junction between Harlestone Road and Weedon Road, approx 200 metres from Franklin’s Gardens.
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• Number 96 runs between Northampton centre and Long Buckby, East Haddon and Rugby, with a stop at the junction between Harlestone Road and Weedon Road, approx 200 metres from Franklin’s Gardens.

All of the above also stop outside Northampton train station.

Further services operate between Northampton town centre and Wellingborough, Kettering, Milton Keynes and other regional centres. Change at Northampton bus station for connecting services to Franklin’s Gardens.

Where to eat?

There are several food and drink outlets situated around Franklin’s Gardens, serving soft and alcoholic beverages, as well as pies, pasties, and even an ostrich burger! The outlets are located in the following parts of the venue:

• Marquee Bar – behind the cinch Stand;
• Rodber Bar – Carlsberg Stand;
• Captain’s Club (season ticket holders only) – Carlsberg Stand;
• Members’ Bar – Barwell Stand;
• Heroes Restaurant (booking only) – Carlsberg Stand;
• In The Village – near the cinch Stand.

Facilities

With one of club rugby’s finest venues as a backdrop, at Northampton Saints, they pride themselves on the incredible seasonal and matchday hospitality supporters can enjoy at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Whatever the occasion, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or Christmas party, the hospitality team offers a variety of events for groups of all shapes and sizes. Entertain clients or friends or view Saints’ season in style with hospitality offerings. From the ultimate experience of groundbreaking rugby hospitality, the Tunnel Club, to a private Executive Box, enjoy the best Northampton Saints has to offer.

There are so many seasonal hospitality choices to explore at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. The luxurious Champions Suite or the more relaxed Heroes Restaurant or Captain’s Club, all offer unique and enjoyable experiences, the best choice depends on you, so discover the hospitality options available.

From the Legends Lounge to the Directors Experience, our unique matchday and seasonal hospitality experiences help create long-lasting memories for you and your guests. Whatever the occasion, choose a venue that you’ll remember for years to come. Enjoy the rugby, delicious food, and free-flowing drinks at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens this holiday season.

Accessibility

cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens is a fully accessible stadium, with provisions in place to ensure disabled supporters and their carers are well catered for. There is ample seating available both pitchside and at a higher level within the stadium, as well as disabled toilet facilities.

History

The home of Northampton saints is one of eight Premiership Grounds used exclusively for Rugby Union. Originally named the Melbourne Gardens, the stadium takes its current name from John Franklin, who changed it in 1887. He bought the ground from its original creator, John Collier.

In 1888 the ground was purchased by the Northampton Brewery Company for £17,000. This was the catalyst for major improvements that led it to become one of the best grounds in England in the early 20th century. A new main stand was built in 1927 and the Gordon Sturtridge pavilion was added in 1966.

Having been owned by a private company since 1920, the club bought back Franklin’s Gardens in 1977 for just £30,000. Since then the club has gradually added the infrastructure to make the stadium suitable for top-flight rugby. Temporary stands took the capacity to 10,000 in the 1990s and after the club consolidated its place in the newly professional Premiership Rugby division, major investment came at the start of the 21st century.