Back in 1881, before the sound of leather hitting willow ever echoed here, this place was a patch of rough riverside grass called Rack Field. Picture a muddy, slightly squishy mess next to the River Tone, being wrangled by the Taunton Athletic Club. The plan? A sports centre, with a running track, cycling arena, and-though not quite ready on grand opening-an ambitious cricket square. The whole place burst into life one Whit Monday with a lively athletics meeting.
Somerset cricket, at that time, was a bit...well, homeless! The club wandered the county like cricketing nomads, relying on borrowed grounds and a prayer that it wouldn’t rain (which, let’s face it, is a bold strategy in Somerset). It was only in 1882 that Somerset County Cricket Club found a proper home here, and their first match was a real thrill-Somerset beating Hampshire by five wickets. It must have been something, the sound of applause probably mixing with the odd horse whinny from nearby fields.
They didn’t always win, though! Later that month, the mighty Australian team rolled into town and handed Somerset a defeat that likely left the crowd gasping into their picnic sandwiches. By the 1880s, Somerset’s fortunes fluctuated-they even lost their “first-class” status in 1886. But under the dogged leadership of Henry Murray-Anderdon, the ground was finally secured for good. For just £2,000 (a fortune at the time), Somerset bought outright what would become a very precious piece of cricketing turf.
As the 20th century dawned, locals considered it an “intimate and lovely place.” There were grand trees around the edge, benches for the faithful (and, yes, the occasional squatter under a chestnut tree), and a famed section called the Hen Coop-reserved for Taunton’s finest families, though no tickets were issued. If you knew, you knew! There was a public bar too, receiving plenty of attention after the First World War. And those with keen eyes could climb a little manmade hill, created from 400 lorry-loads of earth in 1925, for a prime view.
World War II turned the ground over to soldiers and firemen, but even then, the groundsman kept the cricket pitch in tip-top shape-ready for victory overs as soon as peace returned. In the modern era, the County Ground expanded, with pavilions named after local heroes like Marcus Trescothick, Colin Atkinson, and the famous Sir Ian Botham. It now boasts room for 8,500 fans, though temporary seating can ramp that up to 15,000 for truly epic occasions.
Cricket is king here, but the stories don’t stop there. In the 1960s and 70s, you could hear greyhounds yapping excitedly on race nights-the track encircled the cricket ground and drew a new kind of crowd every Tuesday and Friday! And Somerset’s love of sport isn’t afraid of a little experimentation: in 2008, cricketer Marcus Trescothick turned the field into a baseball diamond just for one day, even if the Somerset side was...well, more “cricket in disguise” than true Yankees.
But who could forget the County Ground’s appeal as a concert venue? In 2006 and 2012, Elton John serenaded sell-out crowds here. Imagine “Rocket Man” echoing across the hallowed turf-a sight to see, and a chorus you could hear for miles!
Today, the County Ground is more than just a stadium-it’s the roaring heart of Somerset cricket. It hosted World Cup games in 1983, 1999, and 2019. Since 1997, it has also been the proud home of England’s women’s cricket, including jubilant moments when the women’s team took the field for their own international matches. The on-site Cricket Museum tells these tales-and more! Step inside if you can, and you’ll find stories of both Somerset and women’s cricket, echoes of Test legends, and a curious collection of I Zingari memorabilia that makes you wonder if there’s a club for everything in England.
Soak up the sounds-the excited shouts, the rhythmic clap of applause, the gentle thud of a ball racing across immaculate grass. The County Ground is Taunton’s place for sporting dreams-just mind your head for flying sixes!
Intrigued by the structure and facilities, development or the greyhound racing? Make your way to the chat section and I'll be happy to provide further details.
