Trivia: Cricket Grounds Visible From Trains.

[Par]

Perfect view from behind the bowler’s arm at Glossop CC


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A couple in the Calder Valley....

Bridgeholme CC's ground is the width of the A646 from the railway between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. Plenty of cricket balls lost on the railway embankment over the years

Copley CC is in the 'v' of the junction just east of Milner Royd and easily visible from both lines

Also I'd be surprised if you couldn't see part of Todmorden CC's ground from the viaduct coming out of Tod station.

Walsden too I think?

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Ashton Cricket Club

 

[Ostrich]

You can see Waterloo-bound trains accelerating away from Salisbury tunnel across the valley from Laverstock & Ford's cricket ground (which lies next to the Wessex League soccer club's pitch).
And if you hit the right day, you can also watch the sky-divers descending on their final approach to Old Sarum airfield.

 

[hermit]

The United Services Ground at Portsmouth, where Hampshire used to play, has a very good view of trains going to and from the Harbour.

Essex’s ground at Chelmsford used to give a good view of trains just south of the station. As the line is on embankment you also got good sound effects. But since new flats have been erected you now get only a tiny glimpse.

Surrey used to play a few matches at Whitgift School, from which I’m pretty sure you can see trains at South Croydon station.

Sussex Used to play regularly at Arundel, arguably the most attractive ground where first-class cricket has been played in this country. From a gap in the trees surrounding the ground there is a panoramic view of the Arun valley, including distant trains.

Worcestershire have often played at Kidderminster, either from choice or because the Worcester ground is flooded. The railway runs next to the ground, and trains can be heard but, being in a cutting, not seen.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Walsden too I think?

I think the railway is in a cutting there, and Gordon Rigg’s is probably in the way too

 

[zwk500]

I think Glynde CC should be visible from the East Coastway, but haven't been down that way by train for a very long while.

 

[hermit]

Two grounds where Middlesex play have railways running close by where trains can be heard but not seen - Merchant Taylors’ school (Metropolitan Line at Moor Park) and Radlett (MML).

 

[DarloRich]

Both Copmanthorpe & Dringhouses CC can be seen from the ECML south of York.

Fairly certain you can see St Peter school playing fields just north of York station. I certainly could see the trains when I played both cricket and rugby there.

You can see Grosmont cricket club from the bridge o nthe Esk Valley line.

Bledlow Village CC (the Chinnor and Princes Risborough railway in the field above the ground).

View attachment 184045

I was going to mention that one - a lovely spot.

 

[Right Away]

Dorchester CC is easily viewed from trains as the railway runs along the edge of the ground on an embankment.

 

[froggy9]

Bull Hey, Wigan CC ground adjacent to the WCML just north of Wigan NW. In steam days the play was often obscured by thick exhaust as trains got to grips on the 1:104 gradient out of the station.
Adlington CC adj. the Manchester to Preston line

 

[Bradford PA]

A couple in the Calder Valley....

Bridgeholme CC's ground is the width of the A646 from the railway between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. Plenty of cricket balls lost on the railway embankment over the years

Copley CC is in the 'v' of the junction just east of Milner Royd and easily visible from both lines

Also I'd be surprised if you couldn't see part of Todmorden CC's ground from the viaduct coming out of Tod station.

Also in that area, Eastwood CC is plainly visible below the line next to the main road between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden.

Ramsbottom CC is adjacent to the East Lancashire steam railway station.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Two I remember from my playing days were:

Ashley CC, Cheshire.
Trains on the CLC route through Knutsford (then brand new DMUs) were visible just after calling at Ashley station.

Whitchurch CC, Hants.
Was located next to the Didcot, Newbury & Southampton line near Whitchurch Town (closed 1964).
The DN&S alignment at that location has been taken over by the modern A34.

 

[zwk500]

Of the grounds mentioned where trains are visible from them, is the inverse definitely true?

 

[SuspectUsual]

Also in that area, Eastwood CC is plainly visible below the line next to the main road between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden.

That’s Bridgeholme CC, as I mentioned.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Cullompton C.C. in Devon right next to the main-line.

 

[DarloRich]

Perfect view from behind the bowler’s arm at Glossop CC

sorry ump - movement behind the arm!

 

[Scotty]

You can see into Bingham, Sleaford and Skegness cricket pitches from the Poacher line, and you can see Trent Bridge's floodlights as you roll into Nottingham. I played cricket as a young 'un on the playing field at King's School, Grantham, with the trains going past on the bank.

 

[LRV3004]

My instinctive reply would be Warwick Road, where the LCC ground (but not the pitch) is visible from the former MSJ&A line, and served by the eponymous station.

I am aware that this is now merely a Metrolink line.

This was what I was about to say, if light rail is allowed! Back when it was a heavy rail line, the station was called Warwick Road, with Old Trafford being the stop before, however football fans were getting confused and getting off at the wrong station, so when Metrolink took over, Old Trafford became Trafford Bar, and Warwick Road became Old Trafford.

 

[CornishDave]

The railway line is quite literally the boundary at Cullompton, Devon. Its a small ground as well so you often end up with balls all over the tracks.

Also a mention to Grampound Road CC in Cornwall where I spent a lot of my time in years gone by. For a village that owes it's entire existence to the railways, its ironic their nickname is the Roadies!

 

[david l]

Ramsbottom, adjacent to the East Lancs Railway - also Ramsbottom United (football)- next to the cricket ground.

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Bull Hey, Wigan CC ground adjacent to the WCML just north of Wigan NW. In steam days the play was often obscured by thick exhaust as trains got to grips on the 1:104 gradient out of the station.
Adlington CC adj. the Manchester to Preston line

Agree, play was often held up before 1) sightscreens were provided and 2) in later years Network Rails complete lack of vegetation management which means that play can continue........... 3) the signal protecting Wigan NW in the up direction was moved.

 

[johnr57]

I don’t know, but would expect given its proximity the Circle ground in Hull should be visible from West Parade. I am sure someone here more knowledgeable than me will verify!

 

[Cricketer8for9]

I grew up playing Surrey Championship cricket (Saturday league). There are many club grounds in S London and Surrey next to railways.

Kenley, Guildford, Worcester Pk, Dulwich (can be seen by two lines), New Beckenham/HSBC come to mind. Cheam also I would mention, but it has one of the world's largest permanent sightscreens between the ground and the railway...

Sutton’s close to the Wall of Death. Probably not visible but trains can be heard. Incidentally Kenley morphed into Southern Railway and Kenley either late 20th or early 21st century.

 

[4COR]

Sutton’s close to the Wall of Death. Probably not visible but trains can be heard. Incidentally Kenley morphed into Southern Railway and Kenley either late 20th or early 21st century.

You know, I knew that, and had forgotten!

 

[PaulLothian]

Linlithgow's cricket pitch is next to the Edinburgh - Glasgow main line. The club was formerly called West Lothian County Cricket Club, so theoretically a county ground back in the day...

 

[Chilternblue]

Oakley cc visible on west side of line between Micheldever and Basingstoke.

 

[Sean Emmett]

This was what I was about to say, if light rail is allowed! Back when it was a heavy rail line, the station was called Warwick Road, with Old Trafford being the stop before, however football fans were getting confused and getting off at the wrong station, so when Metrolink took over, Old Trafford became Trafford Bar, and Warwick Road became Old Trafford.

The Test Match Special commentary team used to mention the 'Chester Flyer' and Altrincham stoppers during lulls in the play.

 

[Rob F]

You can see into Bingham, Sleaford and Skegness cricket pitches from the Poacher line, and you can see Trent Bridge's floodlights as you roll into Nottingham. I played cricket as a young 'un on the playing field at King's School, Grantham, with the trains going past on the bank.

Trent Bridge would have been easily visible from the now-closed MR Nottingham to Melton main line.

 

[Macwomble]

The Arns, Clackmannan County CC, has the rail line from Stirling to Alloa running along one side.

Back in the days of steam there was a marshalling yard too with the water tower right behind the bowler's arm........wouldn't have been the first time the ball "dinged" off the tower!!.....with some "choice" language coming back across the line.

 

[1D54]

Leicestershire CCC floodlights stand out on the MML left hand side approaching the freight line to Burton.

 

[minimann]

From around the grounds: Buriton village in Hampshire (albeit their club folded), Chiswick and Kings House (Civil Service), Old Isleworthians, Wycombe House, Plough Lane (Cricket for Change/Change Foundation) in Beddington, you've several in the Catford area, Harrow St Mary's I think it is next to the WCML

 

[ajp999]

Both Plumtree and Keyworth Cricket Clubs are situated next to the Old Dalby test track. Other grounds that I have seen around the UK that have not yet been mentioned include Seaford, Kendal, Shifnal, Duffield, Lytham as well as Frisby-on-the-Wreake that is located near Melton Mowbray.

Since floodlights have been introduced at most of the county grounds they are a lot more visible but there are not many of them where you can actually see trains from within the ground. There is also the Nursery Ground at Lords which is on top of the Chiltern mainline.