St James' Park is one of the great football stadiums of England – and not just in terms of its size.

More or less sitting overlooking the nearby city centre, it is a magnificently imposing sight as you approach it – whether that be from the railway station a quarter of a mile awy, the dedicated Metro Station or simply on foot. The atmosphere on match days builds up from the early morning.

The main entrance to the stadium is through the impressive glass and steel atrium in the Milburn Stand – a huge curved construction that goes right the way round the Leazes Corner and includes the Sir John Hall Stand at the northern end.

Opposite the Milburn Stand is the smaller East Stand and, at the south of the ground, is the stand where once stood the famous Gallowgate End.

Now the fourth largest football ground in England, St. James' Park will be a venue for the 2012 Olympic Games.