Cricket Pitches in West London

• By Ellen O'Riordan on Mar 30, 2016

Cricket Pitches in West London

Cricket in London is primarily a summer sport which rises from the ashes each May and burns until the Autumn wind snuffs it out.  It is a very sociable sport, often learned during one’s school days, remaining a seasonal tradition ever since.  As the weather begins to warm, West London’s parks, clubs and centres roll out the nets, erect their wickets and issue deprived cricketers with their long overdue fix of the game.

Holland Park

The park’s large open grass area is an eleven-a-side football pitch for most of the year, but come summer it is the stage for fabulous cricket play.  The summer season is from May to September and sees hoards of cricket games, so booking in advance is essential.  Cricket nets are available for hire from the park and block bookings can be made by clubs and schools.

Price:  £71.40 for the field, practice nets are £4

Clubs:  Junior cricket club.

Opening Times: Daily 8 am to dusk.

Contact:   sports.booking@rbkc.gov.uk or 020 7602 2226.

Westway Sports and Fitness, Ladbroke Grove

If you thought wanted to bring an element of the ghetto to the already riotous sport, this pitch is located on an edgy underpass; a setting that seems more fitting as the set of an urban dance film than a spot of cricket.  You’ll play to the soundtrack of cars overhead and the Portobello neighborhood.  

Price: £8 per hour peak, £6 off-peak and £4.20 for off-peak concessions.  Cricket net hire is £5 for juniors and £10 for adults.

Coaching:  Junior programmes available.

Opening Times:  Monday-Friday 7am-10pm, Saturday 7am-8pm, Sunday 8am-9pm.

Contact:  Phone 020 8969 0992 or email sports.fitness@westway.org.  Bookings are made online via their website.

South Park, Fulham

Located in one of London’s most beautiful parks, cricket pitches at South Park are available throughout the summer months, generally from May to September. These pitches are extremely popular so will need to be booked quite a while in advance.  The lawns are well maintained and the facilities own 2 England Cricket Board-approved artificial wickets and 2 state-of-the-art nets.  There are changing facilities available but need to be checked in advance for availability.

Price: Weekday evenings are £107 with nets, £97 without nets.  All day weekends are £127.50 with nets and £117.50 without.  All day bank holidays cost £132.50 with nets and £122.50 without.  Block bookings are also available and provide discounted rates.  You can also book the fields for an hour’s use for £15.30.

Coaching:  Junior cricket.

Opening times:  8 am to dusk.

Contact:  Email sportsbookings@lbhf.gov.uk or phone 020 3772 8260.

The Hurlingham Club

This is a private members club set on 42 acres of splendid grounds in Fulham.  The majestic clubhouse and gardens are one of Britain’s most prestigious private members clubs.  There are regular cricket leagues and tournaments alongside the club’s thriving social calendar.  The field is available for corporate hire but comes with a hefty price tag.  Aside from the sporting facilities, there is a reading room, IT room, shop, fitness centre, indoor pool, children’s playground, creche and family room log cabin.

Opening times: 7.30am-11.15pm Monday to Saturday and 7.30-10.15 on Sundays.