Built: 1881
The County Ground in Taunton will host three games during the 2019 World Cup.
Afghanistan
will face New Zealand, before Pakistan take on Australia and the West Indies
play Bangladesh at the smallest of the 11 venues being used for this
summer’s tournament.
As
quintessentially English a venue as one could wish to find, it is hard to
dispute that the character of this global tournament will benefit from a trip
to the West Country.
There are few
grounds that, in an era of redevelopment and expansion, have been able to
remain so close to their roots.
In the case of
Somerset’s County Ground, these foundations go back some way; the county first
played at the venue in 1882. Three churches overlook the historic arena.
It is a ground
that has housed some of the game’s all-time greats; Sir Ian Botham, Sir Viv
Richards, Joel Garner, Steve Waugh and Martin Crowe have all plied their trade
at the County Ground – not to mention the club’s favourite son. Marcus
Trescothick is in his 27th season with the club and has a stand
named in his honour.
Somerset,
though, have only ever hosted three men’s ODIs, and none since the 1999 World
Cup. Last time the competition came to these shores, Rahul Dravid and Sourav
Ganguly shared a second-wicket partnership of 318 against Sri Lanka, with
Ganguly making 183.
Since then,
men’s international cricket has only ventured to Taunton once, with England
losing by three runs to South Africa in a T20 international.
However, the
ground has become the official home of English women’s cricket, with the venue
hosting this summer’s Women’s Ashes Test.
Along with both
Melbourne and Karachi, Taunton is the only ground to be the scene of two
quadruple centuries.
Saurav Ganguly in action at Taunton in the 1999 World Cup
On a curious evening in June 2006, two knights of the realm collided at Taunton.
As Sir
Elton John performed in an open-air concert to an audience of 23,000 at the
County Ground, he paused to serenade Sir Ian Botham – an icon of the old
stadium.
Full address:
County Ground Taunton, St James Street, Taunton, TA1 1JT
By car: There will be no official on-site parking at Taunton during the World Cup. However, there are two main park-and-ride services in the town; Taunton Gateway Park & Ride (TA3 5LU) and Silk Mills Park & Ride (TA1 5AA).
The pair have more than 1,500 spaces between them, and are located near the town centre.
Uber
does not currently operate in Taunton.
By train: Great Western Railway runs through Taunton Station, with links to Bristol, London and Cardiff, and many other destinations.
CrossCountry Trains also operates services, including to both Birmingham and Newcastle.
Taunton Station is
expected to be under some construction during the tournament, however. It is
suggested that passengers check early to avoid disruption.
Highest ODI
score: 373/6 (India vs Sri Lanka, 1999)
Lowest ODI
score: 216/10 (Sri Lanka vs India, 1999)
With a fast and hard track and meagre boundaries at every angle, Taunton is designed for high scores. Spinners can get plenty of joy, however, on a turning strip which has been nicknamed Ciderabad by the locals.
The Ring of Bells
Located less than a minute away from the County Ground, this country-style pub sits right in the centre of Taunton, serving traditional English cuisine (£15-20 per head for two courses)
16-17 St James St, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JS
Howards Fish
and Chips
Always busy when the weather plays ball, this chippy is ideal for a quick bite of terrific Somerset fare (£6.50 per head for fish and chips)
5 St. James Street, Taunton TA1 1JH England
The
Stragglers
Situated on the ground floor of the County Ground pavilion, this coffee house is open seven days a week and to the general public on non-matchdays, serving an array of sandwiches and traditional British lunch options (£6-15 per head for one course)
Somerset County Cricket Club, The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JT
Eat the Bird
It’s a menu of chicken burgers. What is not to like?
Coal Orchard, Taunton TA1 1AE
The Wickets
Sitting on a street corner, this fabulous little sandwich bar is a huge hit with the locals for its range of options – ideal for a quick lunch
51A St. James Street, Taunton TA1 1JH, England
Taunton
Town Centre - The ground is a short walk from the centre of Taunton, where you will find
a range of options –Nandos and Pizza Express among many others.
Sheppy’s House of Cider
You can’t visit Somerset and not experience its cider. At Sheppy’s – a 15-minute drive from the town centre, you will find a shop where you can taste a range of the county’s finest, as well as tours of the facility, which also includes a museum and an orchard.
Three Bridges, Bradford-on-Tone, Taunton, Somerset. TA4 1ER
Hestercombe
House and Gardens
The stately home is worth a visit, featuring rooms open to the public, an art gallery and a restaurant.
Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8LG
Somerset
Cricket Museum
If you’re there for the cricket, you may as well visit the museum! Based in a sixteenth-century priory barn, it’s full of Somerset memorabilia and features an entire wall dedicated to the England women’s team.
7 Priory Avenue, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1XX
The Hideout
Situated on the historic Castle Green, The Hideout combines good food with a range of ales, lagers and cocktails
Castle Green, Taunton, TA1 4AE
The World’s
End
A ten-minute drive from pub to ground, The World’s End is the typical country pub, complete with a wooden interior and large beer garden
Bradford-On-Tone, Taunton, SomersetTA4 1ET
A town pub with a rustic feel, the bar takes pride in its array of ales and gins
75 Station Road, Taunton, TA1 1PB
The Ring of Bells
As well as its food, it’s hard to beat The Ring of Bells for its selection of local beer
16-17 St James St, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JS
Brazz
Far more than a bar, given its highly-regarded breakfasts and good value dinner menu, but a modern and atmospheric venue for an evening drink with an extensive selection of alcohol
Castle Bow, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1NF
Museum of Somerset
For lovers of British history, there can surely be few more intriguing places. Housed within Taunton Castle, the museum is a shrine to Somerset’s history, with a selection of coins dating back to the Roman era.
Taunton Castle, Castle Green, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4AA
Stonehenge
It’s not as local as the other options – about an hour and a half from the ground by car, but Stonehenge remains one of Britain’s most famous landmarks. Worth a visit while you’re in the area.
Near Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7DE
Somerfest
On June 15, the annual Somerfest returns. A one-day festival of the outdoors – sport, food, drink, arts, music, dance and more – it is not a day to miss if you’re in the area.
Between 1961
and 1979, the County Ground hosted greyhound racing, with a track constructed
around the perimeter of the pitch.
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