Built: 1881
The County Ground - the Cooper Associates County Ground by its full, sponsored name - is a quintessential county venue.
Compact, quaint and full of character, it is the home of Somerset and Western Storm.
As quintessentially English a venue as one could wish to find, fans will always 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 recently retired after three decades with the club and has a stand named in his honour.
Somerset, though, have only ever hosted a handful of men’s ODIs, and none between the 1999 and 2019 World Cups.
The ground has become the official home of English women’s cricket, with the venue hosting the 2019 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: At Junction 25, take the A358 Exit to Taunton/ Yeovil. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit (south) or 3rd exit (north) onto the A358 heading to Taunton/ A38/ Minehead, continuing straight onto Toneway/ A358. At the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Priory Avenue and the Cooper Associates County Ground will be on your left.
By train: Taunton Train Station is a 10-minute walk from the ground. As you leave the station, turn left into Station Road, heading towards the town centre. Turn left onto Priory Bridge Road, and the ground will be on your right.
By bus: Taunton Bus Station is a five-minute walk from the ground. As you leave the station, turn left onto Castle Green. Turn left at Fat Face and walk down to Debenhams before turning right into St James Street and the ground will appear on your left.
Park & Ride: Taunton operate two park and ride services from either the Silk Mills (West – TA1 5AA) or Junction 25 (East – TA3 5LU) sites. Please check their opening hours ahead your visit by clicking here.
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
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
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
Between 1961
and 1979, the County Ground hosted greyhound racing, with a track constructed
around the perimeter of the pitch.
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