What is recorded here
County Ground is recorded as a named stadium in Somerset. It is mapped for cricket. The point is the centre supplied by the public map.
Taunton's County Ground began as a shared sports field in 1881 and became Somerset County Cricket Club's permanent home, later hosting international cricket.
What this place is
The ground was laid out beside the River Tone for cricket, running, cycling and other town sport before Somerset settled there.
People and events
Local clubs and supporters raised money for the first pitch, stands and track, while generations of players and grounds workers developed it.
How it was used
Somerset began first-class matches here in 1882; the site later hosted world tournaments and became a home for England's women's team.
What survives
The same compact playing field remains between town streets and churches, surrounded by rebuilt pavilions and stands.
Why it mattered
It matters because shared local effort gave a wandering county club a lasting home that grew into an international ground.
Sources for this account
Sources checked 16 August 2026.
Places near here
Photo credits
- Richard Webb, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Ken Grainger, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Neil Owen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Mr Red, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Martin Southwood, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Ruth Riddle, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- John C, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- A J Paxton, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Chris Allen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Robert Edwards, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Somerset County Cricket ClubCricket ground · 13 yd
Sieges of TauntonSiege · 57 yd
St James ChurchListed building · 138 yd
Spacewalk Milestone, TauntonMonument or public art · 176 yd
St. James's church, TauntonChurch, cross or graveyard · 179 yd
Somerset HouseListed building · 274 yd
Congregational ChurchListed building · 298 yd
Tone BridgeListed building · 302 yd
Somerset Military MuseumMuseum · 443 yd
Taunton Castle, now County MuseumCastle, fort or tower · 661 yd
Taunton Castle, SomersetCastle, fort or tower · 661 yd
Our Land Inviolate - Your MonumentMonument or public art · 921 ydMore things to do in Somerset · All of Somerset
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