I’ve been thinking about small cricket grounds in Yorkshire of late. Back in June, the plan had been to go and watch Mirfield Parish Cavaliers in the ECB Premiership of the Huddersfield Premier Cricket League.
Their opponents were league leaders Hoylandswaine and both clubs play on postage stamps although Swaine’s HQ is a windswept home at altitude while Mirfield’s Wellhouse Lane ground is surrounded by red brick dwellings.
It made sense to go for a few reasons. Samit Patel and the other Hoylandswaine superstars were likely to fire a few maximums into Huddersfield town centre and the hosts won the 2025 Wow Factor category of our Cricket Yorkshire Teas of the Year.
As it panned out, my new book Brews on the Boundary arrived at home so my Saturday became a marathon signing session for those who had kindly pre-ordered a handback edition with their name in the back.
But still the question lingered – what are the tiniest grounds in the region? I’d welcome your own thoughts and experiences by the way here as a comment.
To get analytical for a second, I guess it depends on how you judge dimensions. I’ve been travelling around Yorkshire cricket grounds for 15 years now and writing about them. There are many quirky places out there but I’ve probably only been to about 200 out of the 750-800 clubs. (So far!)
The shortest distance from boundary to middle?
Triangle of the Halifax Cricket League springs to mind as it is the merest of flicks to send a ball into the River Calder – although as with quite a few grounds, the straight boundary is actually generous.
Glasshouses is fabulously / ridiculously close to the action as if the elevated bench on the grassy bank is in fact fielding at gully.
Maybe I need one of those measuring wheels to answer the question definitively (and a travel sponsor if I’m doing all of Yorkshire). I saw one being literally wheeled out for the Roses T20 at Headingley to make sure the distance to the boundary was sufficient.
If you’re curious, the playing conditions for the men’s Vitality Blast state that no boundary should exceed 90 yards from the centre of the pitch. Under Law 19, neither square boundary can be shorter than 50 yards.
In club cricket, those distances are likely dictated by geography, as opposed to bringing the boundary in too much.
Other contenders in the bijou ground category (from my own travels) are Crakehall and Thornton Watlass of the Nidderdale League. Both are village greens and the latter requires a short bunt to send a six into the bungalows that dot beyond the steep slope.
The smallest ground by circumference may well throw up others. I’m well aware my points of reference will differ from yours. I’m sure there are YCSPL, Huddersfield Premier or NYSD grounds that have their own stories. Others such as the Feversham League or midweek Dales League likewise could have some tiddlers.
Other suggestions have been Adwalton, Booth, Brandesburton, Buttershaw St Pauls, Cumberworth United, Delph & Dobcross, Denby, Jer Lane, Kelfield, Scholes (Huddersfield) and Wickersley Old Village. Some of those being judged by their width (side to side).
If we widen out to non-league cricket grounds (friendlies only), that will open up all other intriguing possibilities. I’ve been meaning to get along to watch Tong Taverners in Tong Village behind the Greyhound Pub. I hear it’s an intimate setting.
Well, here’s to the miniature magic of cricket grounds bringing us up close and personal to the match action.
What are your suggestions?
Where have you been on your travels that’s a really small cricket ground in Yorkshire? I’m always looking for recommendations…
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Meanwood and St Chads are small
Very true Brian, both scenic and very small, particularly square of the wicket.
Newton-le-Willows in the Nidderdale league is certainly on the small side, along with Crakehall and Thornton Watlass, all of which I’ve played at multiple times. Masham is a personal favourite in terms of lovely grounds to play cricket at!
Thanks Chris – not been hear good things and I’ve just re-read Mark’s excellent report from last July – https://cricketyorkshire.com/flames-trains-and-cow-whispering-at-newton-le-willows/ – which has a ground photo. Masham is lovely, isn’t it?
Hey Chris, thought I’d replied to this – all four of those grounds are striking in their own way, lucky you for playing at all of them.
holmbridge in Huddersfield league doesnt measure 60 yards across the square i think
Thanks John – it’s cropped up a few times. A few I didn’t mention in the article is St Chad’s (closest ground to Headingley on Otley Road, if you don’t know it) which is very short square. I don’t know the Huddersfield League grounds very well but imagine there’s a few small ones.
Rodley CC (two teams) play every week at Tong in the Dales Council. It is small.. Thornbury CC, sadly no more, in the Dales Council was also quite small
Cheers Mike, I planned to get to Tong in June but maybe later this season if time allows.
In terms of circumference Hebden Bridge but it only hosts friendly cricket. My favourite ground. I would be surprised if there is a smaller one.
Good to hear from you Rupert, it’s like I note in the article, as to whether it’s circumference or smallest from middle to boundary.
Your home ground is very scenic but a touch bigger. Saw a red kite land on the outfield over winter.
On the river side your gully and point fielders are on the boundary. The only square boundary that matched that was the old Highbury ground. However Highbury was long.
Holmebridge other side Holmfirth . The boundary on square leg is literally 30 yards with a stream running alongside it . The other side point – there is a big wall maybe 40 yards. There are no sixes In this ground .
Hi David, it’s a ground that comes highly recommended. Didn’t know the six rule.
Bridgeholme, Todmorden. playing in the Halifax league. – I’m sure you will have visited.
lovely picturesque ground
Thanks Marie – not been to either for a couple of years now but excellent suggestions. Enjoy your cricket.
John, I would certainly throw Holmbridge into your mix.
Thanks Martin, good to hear from you – has been on my radar for some time, looks small but you can’t really go wrong with a whitewashed wall, encased in greenery with a view of a church.
Hebden Bridge. You spend a lot of time on the very short boundary either being eaten by mozzies or fishing the ball out of the drink.
You’re really upselling it Trevor! Hope Hebden Bridge CC are doing ok since the vandalism.
Small but very friendly is the Hebden Bridge Cricket Club, at Salem Fields in Hebden. Bounded by a river on one side and a wood on the other, they always use a pink ball for locating purposes
Thanks Andy – I’ve heard a lot about Hebden Bridge CC, a few Facebook comments on our Cricket Yorkshire page too. Pink ball is a good idea!
I only just noticed that I had started a Hebden bridge love in ..
The first time I played there they had Brie & grape sandwiches. I knew something was different.
You have indeed… I don’t know how they’re doing since the fire in June but hope all is well.
brie and grapes… very classy 🙂
How about some of the larger grounds?
Ours , Denby Grange must be in with a shout.
Another article, another time but it is in the pipeline…!
St George’s playing there on the 1st. I have considered putting my name down for my 1st game of the season. Maybe enjoy the drive & go & watch. Take one of those measuring wheels.
Just thought of East Leeds
Sandal CC, in Wakefield playing in the Bradford League…
Thanks Nick – I go past it on the train occasionally and have enjoyed visiting before.
Crakehall must be the smallest surely? Local rules mean that several ‘six’ hits only count four. And the tree at silly mid off is a extra fielder.
Thanks Philip, I’ve had the pleasure of a visit to Crakehall and that particular tree is even the inspiration for the cover of my latest book as there’s a chapter on my trip there. Spoiler alert, absolutely loved it.
As to your point about the smallest, it is right up there in terms of shortest distance square of the wicket.
Honourable mentions for Triangle, Glasshouses (via slip cordon) and Thornton Watlass.
Glusburn in the Craven league.
Yorkshire Jnrs used to play there as it was such a good wicket, just small.
I played in a 45 over cup game that was tied at approx 350 each side!!
Ah yes, thanks Martin, Glusburn is on my list to visit. 350 each is pretty special and a tie!!