Hambledon lit the fire, but it took a Yorkshireman to bring cricket to London’s elite. Thomas Lord, bowler turned businessman, dragged the game from a village inn to the heart of the capital, and laid the turf for its future.

Hampshire and England legend Robin Smith was not the only "Judge" to feature at the cradle of cricket Broadhalfpenny Brigands are fortunate to have Lord Justice Dingemans as a long-time playing member. He was called to the Bar in 1987 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2002, but is more famous around these parts for his dashing left-handed stroke play and his enthusiastic fielding in the covers. On 21 July 1996, Dingemans scored a century before lunch against the Saints. Hi

Before Lord’s, before Test matches, before the Ashes, there was a chalk ridge in rural Hampshire. Hambledon’s Broadhalfpenny Down became cricket’s first big stage, and where the modern game began to take shape.

Broadhalfpenny Down Marks a Landmark Year in Style Following last year's fundraising, we have been busy during the winter months upgrading the pavilion. We have begun improving the car park area to cope with wet days, thanks to the support of Winchester City Council. We have installed a new hot water system and heating to ensure our visitors are comfortable. Thank you to everyone involved who have put in so much time and effort over the winter. 2026 is a celebratory year with

We are hosting Gender Reveal parties in our lovely pavilion. Come and enjoy time with family and friends at this gorgeous venue revealing the gender of your forthcoming baby. We will provide a buffet of tea, coffee and soft drinks for £20 per person. If you wish to celebrate with a bottle of bubbly please feel free to bring your own and we will be happy to serve your guests. Get in touch with Tracy Murley on 07511626932 or tracymurley1962@gmail.com to discuss your event.​

Fifty years on from the Broadhalfpenny Brigands’ first forays at Broadhalfpenny Down, the Golden Jubilee summer of 2009 featured 25 games with 9 victories, twelve losses, four draws, and countless batting collapses. The year began with a familiar warning; IBM winning a game from a position of 62 for 8. There were other days for Brigands to forget. 38 all out against London New Zealand, 49 against Old Windsor, and another sub-50 wobble versus the Twelfth Man. There was the us

We have showcased much-loved cricket photographers in recent years, from Ryan Pierse and Dave Vokes, to Dave Bodymore and Marc Aspland. Gareth Copley has been travelling with the England cricket team for more than 180 Test Matches, and his new book, written with Rory Dollard, is mesmerising. With beautiful and award-winning cricket photography, the book gives a front-row seat to England's World Cup glory at Lord's and the Ben Stokes’s Headingley miracle in 2019, human stories

Note “polo frail” below, Ed. Oddballs has launched a charity partnership with Broadhalfpenny Brigands Cricket Club, producing a limited-edition pair of boxer shorts with all profits going towards improving facilities at the club’s historic ground. David Henderson, spokesperson for the Brigands, said the aim was to raise money for pavilion upgrades while celebrating a ground that holds a special place in the game’s heritage. The modern design is packed with cricket references,

At the most recent AGM, we agreed to share guidance around when and how to refer to Broadhalfpenny Down and Broadhalfpenny Brigands Cricket Club. Our guidelines, not rules, are below, and let us know directly, or in the comments, if you have any questions. How to talk about the ground, the Brigands, and the cradle of cricket Broadhalfpenny Down is a cricket ground in Hampshire. It has been used for cricket, though not continuously, for more than 250 years. From the top of the