County Cricket Ground, Derby

The County Cricket Ground sits on the edge of Derby Racecourse, where horse racing ended in 1939. South Derbyshire Cricket Club first used the ground in 1863, and Derbyshire County Cricket Club has played there since 1871. The pitch once ran east–west, a rare choice that caused glare from the setting sun. In 2009–10 the club relaid the pitch north–south and moved floodlights and the scoreboard to match. A 1 800-seat stand went up in 2010 at the Racecourse End and was replaced in 2016 by a four-storey media centre costing £2.2 million. The ground has staged two men’s One-Day Internationals during Cricket World Cups and one semi-final of the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup. In the 19th century it hosted football, including the first FA Cup Final replay outside London in 1886 and an England international that finished 9–0. Elton John, Boyzone and Little Mix have each played concerts here in recent years. A marquee built in 2010 now hosts private parties and entertainment on match days. Derby Civic Society gave the media centre a commendation in 2017. Visitors find a modern media centre with 1 100 seats at the Pavilion End and another 1 100 beside it. The playing area is level and well-lit, with the electronic scoreboard and floodlights aligned to the new pitch direction. The ground still feels part of the old racecourse, with wide open spaces around the boundary. On match days a large white marquee rises behind the stands, adding a temporary focus for events. The atmosphere combines the quiet of a county ground with the echoes of past finals and concerts.