Trent Bridge
Cricket
Test
Nottingham
Score:
61.5
Overview
Trent Bridge stands out from the crowd of international cricket venues for the friendliness of its staff and volunteers, as well as its community feel (many of the food vendors being local restaurateurs and catering business owners). It feels very much a part of Nottingham, reflective of its culture and people, as opposed to the many major stadiums which have the feel of identikit edifices parachuted into the cities they serve. With a capacity around 17,000, it is one of the smallest grounds in England to host Test matches regularly. What it lacks in size, it makes up for with its abundance of charm (albeit not of the aesthetic variety, with its collection of odd-looking stands). Trent Bridge should be close to the top of your ‘To-Visit’ list of English Test grounds.
Score Summaries
Atmosphere & Experience: 8.5
The return of Zimbabwe to England after an absence of over 20 years brought out a sizeable crowd of supporters of both sides. There was genuine vibrancy and enthusiasm throughout, particularly from the many people from Zimbabwe’s diaspora communities in the UK who appeared ecstatic to see their team back in action on English soil after such a long time. The Trent Bridge regulars are an affable bunch, and true lovers of cricket who are keen to swap stories and reminisce about the great matches of days past.
Seats: 9
On both days I attended, I sat behind the bowler’s arm in the lower tier of the stand at the Radcliffe Road end. The seats provided an excellent view, which would have been all the better had the pavilion not been covered with scaffolding while it underwent extensive renovation. There were no restrictions on my view of the field of play and I could take in the whole of the crowd. I highly recommend seats in this area.
Catering: 9
This is an area where Trent Bridge truly excels. Many of its vendors represent local food businesses and they really deliver the goods. I highly recommend the ‘breakfast naanwich’ from Vegetarian Rasoi to start your day with some spicy, cheesy goodness. If, at lunchtime, you find yourself needing to clog your arteries further, then head over to Big Melt for one of their delicious cheese toasties. Improve your meal further by drenching your sandwich in Henderson’s Relish, one of northern England’s tastiest creations. Bars and concessions stalls are plentiful, queues are quick and well managed.
Facilities: 9
All over the place and of a good standard.
Getting There: 9
A pleasant, roughly 30-minute, walk along the canal from Nottingham Station will bring you to the ground. Highly recommended as a way to get your day started, particularly if you need to burn a few calories ahead of the aforementioned naanwich. Alternatively, regular buses from the city centre will get you to Trent Bridge in a matter of minutes. Entry into the ground is simple. Your gate will be on your ticket and they are all well signposted.
Getting Away: 9
Buses back can be a little crowded, but, if you’re able and the weather is agreeable, the walk back into the city centre is highly recommended.
Weekend Potential: 8
Try to secure tickets for more than one day if you can. Trent Bridge is absolutely worth multiple days, and tends to be a little more affordable than some of the grounds further south. Nottingham is also well worth visiting, even if it doesn’t have quite as many attractions as larger UK cities. A visit to the castle offers fantastic views over the city, some insights into local history, and plenty of coverage of the lore of Robin Hood. When you’re done there, take the short walk down the hill to Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, a pub hewn into the cliff on which the castle sits. It offers hearty pub grub and local ales in a unique setting that almost allows one to believe it’s the Middle Ages. The Castle, a nearby pub, is also a pleasant – if significantly less ancient - spot to sit outside in the evening sun with a beer while you enjoy a view of the fortifications. Walk a few minutes further and you can visit The Navigation Inn, another charming pub, this time with a lovely view of the canal. You can also take a Trent-side walk along the Victoria Embankment from some fresh air before or after the start of play.