Bridgford Road · West Bridgford · Nottingham NG2 6AG · Capacity approx 17,500
Trent Bridge: the Test ground that stayed a county ground
Of the seven English Test venues, Trent Bridge is the one that still looks and feels like a county ground rather than a stadium. Low stands, an old pavilion, trees at one end, and seventeen thousand people rather than thirty. It also sits within a few hundred yards of two football grounds.
Trent Bridge, the City Ground and Meadow Lane all sit within a short walk of each other either side of the river. On a day when more than one has an event, saying which you mean matters more here than almost anywhere.
Nottingham's sporting corner
Very few English cities pack this much into a few hundred yards, and it makes the address worth being precise about.
NG2, Bridgford Road
The cricket ground. Tests, one-day internationals and Nottinghamshire county cricket.
NG2, across the road
Nottingham Forest. Almost next door, on the same side of the river.
NG2, north of the river
Notts County, a few hundred yards across the Trent.
Running between them
Which limits the crossings and concentrates traffic on a small number of bridges.
Kent to Nottingham
Round the M25 and up the M1. One of the shorter northern runs on our list.
| Pick-up area | Distance | Each way |
|---|---|---|
| Bromley & Orpington | 152 miles | 2h 55m – 3h 35m |
| Sevenoaks & Tonbridge | 155 miles | 3h – 3h 40m |
| Dartford & Bluewater | 158 miles | 3h 5m – 3h 45m |
| Gravesend & Northfleet | 163 miles | 3h 10m – 3h 50m |
| Maidstone & Aylesford | 168 miles | 3h 15m – 3h 55m |
| Rochester & Chatham | 173 miles | 3h 20m – 4h |
| Canterbury & Ashford | 197 miles | 3h 45m – 4h 30m |
A ground built for watching
Seventeen thousand rather than thirty makes for a different day, and a considerably easier exit.
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Smaller than the other Test grounds | Around seventeen thousand. It fills, but it never crushes. |
| The old pavilion | Still the centre of the ground, and listed. |
| Radcliffe Road end | The other end, and the one bowlers talk about. |
| West Bridgford | Pleasant residential suburb, with pubs and food within a few minutes. |
| We collect towards Radcliffe Road | Ten minutes' walk, away from the bridges and the football traffic. |
A day at Trent Bridge
Say Trent Bridge, not Nottingham
Three grounds sit within a few hundred yards of each other here and they share a postcode district. If Forest are at home on the same day as a one-day international, the area is busy in two directions at once and the difference between the cricket ground and the City Ground is the difference between a good afternoon and a confused one. Name the venue.
The size is the appeal
Trent Bridge holds around seventeen thousand, which is little more than half what the Oval or Edgbaston take, and it changes the whole character of a Test. You are closer to the play, the ground fills without crushing, and getting in and out is a matter of minutes rather than an exercise. For a first Test match it is arguably the best ground in the country to choose.
The river concentrates the traffic
The Trent runs between the cricket ground and half of Nottingham, and there are only so many bridges. After play we hold towards Radcliffe Road, away from the crossings and away from whatever the football grounds are doing, which is a ten-minute walk and considerably faster than joining the queue for a bridge.
Three hours makes a day possible
At around a hundred and sixty miles this is a shorter run than Manchester or Leeds, and a day at the cricket followed by a drive home is realistic if you leave early. That said, West Bridgford and Nottingham both have plenty of accommodation, and a night there removes the least enjoyable part of the day.
Trent Bridge questions
Which ground, and what the day is like.
Is Trent Bridge the football ground?
No. Trent Bridge is the cricket ground on Bridgford Road. The City Ground, where Nottingham Forest play, is almost next door, and Meadow Lane is a few hundred yards across the river. Name the venue when you book.
How big is Trent Bridge?
Around seventeen thousand, which is little more than half the capacity of the Oval or Edgbaston. It makes for a closer, less crowded day and an easier exit.
How far is Nottingham from Kent?
Around a hundred and fifty to two hundred miles, roughly three to four and a half hours each way on the M25 and M1.
Can we do it as a day return?
Yes, if you leave early. It is a shorter run than Manchester or Leeds. A night in Nottingham or West Bridgford removes the worst of it.
Where do you collect afterwards?
Towards Radcliffe Road, around ten minutes' walk, away from the river crossings and away from whatever the football grounds are doing.
How do returns work for a Test?
Open, because play ends when the light or the result decides. We hold nearby and come to you on a call. One-day and T20 fixtures have a predictable finish, so a set time works.
Is it a good first Test match?
Arguably the best ground in the country for it. You are closer to the play than at the larger venues and the whole day is less of an exercise.
Is the fare fixed?
Yes, agreed before travel and unaffected by motorway delays or how long play runs.
Cricket and East Midlands
Nottingham's grounds and the Test venues.