County Ground

The County Ground stands in Taunton, Somerset, between Priory Bridge Road and St James Street. It is a cricket ground and home to Somerset County Cricket Club, which has played there since 1882. The ground has two ends: the River End to the north and the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion End to the south. Originally built in 1881 as part of a sports centre by Taunton Athletic Club, it became Somerset’s permanent home in 1896. The club bought the freehold for £2,000 under secretary Henry Murray-Anderdon’s leadership. The ground has hosted historic matches, including Somerset’s first first-class game in 1882 and England’s first international in the 1983 Cricket World Cup. It has also staged women’s international cricket since 1997 and men’s internationals in 2017. The Somerset Cricket Museum, opened in 1989, displays memorabilia linked to players like Ian Botham and Marcus Trescothick. The ground has seen major redevelopments, including the Colin Atkinson Pavilion in 2010 and the Marcus Trescothick Stand in 2008. Visitors find a mix of modern stands and historic areas. The Somerset Stand holds over 3,000 spectators, while the Old Pavilion houses a bar and restaurant. Gimblett’s Hill offers wooden benches near St James Church’s graveyard. The Family Stand and Ondaatje Pavilion cater to casual fans, and the members’ areas include the Colin Atkinson Pavilion and Sir Ian Botham Stand. The ground retains a sense of intimacy despite its upgrades.