Home of the legendary 18th Century Hambledon Club
Broadhalfpenny Down (pronounced brawd-HAYP-nee) is a beautiful cricket ground in Hampshire, opposite the Bat & Ball Inn.
Cricket was played here from around 1750 and, over the next three decades, the players and patrons of Hambledon were responsible for the development of new techniques and the laws of cricket, from the addition of a third stump to the size of the bat.
Their adaptations, and codification, of these laws, transformed cricket from an occasional country pastime to a national sport, which became an international sport in the following century.
250 years of First Class cricket
It was market day in Hambledon on 24th June 1772 when a cricket match began, pitting the finest players in Hampshire against an All England XI consisting of players from Surrey and Kent for a 500 Guinea prize.
This is acknowledged as the inaugural First Class cricket match, and to commemorate the 250th anniversary some special games took place in 2022.
On New Year's Day, the warmest on record, Brigands played Hampshire Huskies using a pink ball and a plastic pitch. Ivo Tennant said it was a day when "history filled the air".
In June, a Fullers XI took on the Brigands in a T20 celebration match, Hampshire All Stars (captained by Mark Nicholas) beat an All England XI (captained by Charlotte Edwards) on the last ball, and the Brigands hosted neighbours Hambledon CC.
In August a Broadhalfpenny Down XI featuring guests from Cricket District took on the might of the MCC, with the outfield turning brown after a long hot Summer.
These celebration matches raised money for the charity that now preserves the ground, featured ex-England and Hampshire cricketers, and raised the awareness of Broadhalfpeny Down and its role in the history of cricket.
Brigands Cricket
Broadhalfpenny Brigands Cricket Club plays on the ground between April and September. Cricket is played in a jovial spirit, typically in a traditional time format rather than limited overs.
Opponents are a mix of local clubs and wandering sides and the Club especially welcomes enquiries from overseas touring teams wanting to play at Broadhalfpenny Down.
Hambledon Cricket Club play league games for their Third and Fourth teams at Broadhalfpenny Down.
A warm welcome is given to visiting teams and spectators from far and wide who appreciate the ground's unique place in the history of cricket.
Preserving the Ground
The upkeep of the ground is now looked after by volunteers.
The Broadhalfpenny Down Preservation Trust aims include widening access to play on the ground including mens, womens, junior and disability cricket, as well as educating the public on the history of the ground and it's importance in cricket.
A monument to the glory of cricket and the contribution to it made by The Hambledon Club was erected at the ground in 1908 made of Cornish granite.
Patrons of the Preservation Trust include JRT Barclay DL, Allan Donald, David Gower OBE, The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH, Mark Nicholas, Barry Richards, Sir Tim Rice and Sir Garfield Sobers.
Hire Broadhalfpenny Down for your own special event
Enjoy spending time with your family in this historic location full of nostalgia. Broadhalfpenny Down is situated in the heart of the Hampshire countryside yet only an hour and a half from London. The pavilion is a stunning building offering panoramic views with steps rising onto the balcony where watching the sunset and varied wildlife with a glass of wine in hand is truly amazing! It is an ideal venue for friends and family wishing to get together for special occasions, birthday parties or weddings.
Getting involved, Staying in touch
We welcome new players, members, volunteers, spectators and supporters; we love requests to play as a guest or from touring teams wanting to play at the cradle of cricket.
Support us in our fund raising to restore the ground and hosting matches for diverse cricket teams.
You can follow us on Instagram at @cradleofcricket and subscribe to our video channel on You Tube
Cricket lovers can subscribe for occasional email updates by subscribing with an email address at the footer of the website.
In the Media
Broadhalfpenny Down is regularly featured in the media for its role as the "cradle of cricket".
We have welcomed The Times, The Daily Telegraph, Getty Images, Wisden Cricket Monthly, The Cricketer, Nightwatchman, BBC and ITV news, Cricket District, Petersfield Post, Portsmouth Evening News, The Hambledonian, ESPN and radio stations Heart and Classic fm.
We were also featured by the Barmy Army, in the MCC membership book, on Cricket District, and in the MCC At Home With Cricket publication.
The aerial image of Broadhalfpenny Down looking West, taken by Ryan Pierse of Getty Images, won the Hampshire CCC best view in Hampshire in 2022.
Cricket for All, Forever
We have been hosting cricket matches since the 1750s and a warm welcome is given to players, officials, and spectators.
We are increasing the number of women and junior cricket matches, and continue to welcome touring teams from England, and the rest of the world.
We love to hear from cricket fans and welcome "guest" cricketers of all standards who would like to play as a guest at the cradle of cricket.
In 2025 we are crowdfunding to raise funds to fix the leaking roof, the broken clock, and ageing mowers to preserve the ground for future generations.
All Time Records
Highest Team Score (For) 307 v Lord’s Taverners, 1961
Lowest Team Score (For) 38 v London New Zealand CC, 2009
Highest Team Score (Against) 332 v Australian Defence Force, 2016
Lowest Team Score (Against) 32 v Cricket Society, 1982
Best Bowling: 9-51 Ian Inskip 1966 v Hampshire Mechanics
Most Balls in an Over: 17, Hill & Waller-Davis Vagabonds v Brigands, 2021
Highest Individual Score: 161* Gerry Northwood 2003 v Gentlemen of Old Windsor
Most Wickets in a season: 49 Mike Beardall 2007
Most Runs in a season: 560 Gerry Northwood 1998
Most 5 wicket hauls in a season: 6 Thomson, T in 1983
Most fifties in season: 7 by Ewan Lovett-Turner 2005 and Gerry Northwood 1998
Most 6’s in a season: 17 by David Henderson 2021, 15 by Barney Wyld 2004.
Biggest six ever by Chris Tremlette for All England 2022
Double of 300 runs/30 wickets in a season: 361 runs and 30 wickets Bernard Marshall 1977
Best Partnerships
1st 181 Henderson, D (104) and Jay, A (74) 2020 v Hawkley
2nd 193 Peach, J (105*), Hands, E (85*) 2019 v Hornchurch
3rd wkt 183 Collins, C (100*) and Duggan, G (88) 2006 v Bartestree
4th wkt 183* Flewitt, M (100*) and Peach, Jonty (80*) 2014 v Lionel Length
5th wkt 119* Sharman, M (84*) and Musters, J (32*) 2010 v Hawkley
6th wkt 123 Walton C (123) and Beardall, M (27) 2010 v Sons of Bacchus
7th wkt 108 Burns, A (82) and Shotton, G (69) 1999 v JP Tutt XI
8th wkt 115 Wyld, B (66) and Lovett-Turner, N (57) 1999 v BHDA XI
9th wkt 119 Newman, R (77) and Banes-Walker(46) 1975 v Saints
10th wkt 60 Bates, H (37) and Hay R (18) 2007 v Sanford CC
