Home club Hambledon Club Establishment 1782 | Last used 1795 | |
Location near Hambledon, Hampshire County club Hampshire (pre-county club) | ||
Windmill Down is a rural location near the town of Hambledon in Hampshire. From 1782 to 1795, it was the home of the Hambledon Club as a noted cricket venue.
Contents
Opening of Windmill Down
Hambledon used Broadhalfpenny Down from at least 1753 until 1781 when it was abandoned for being "too remote". Broadhalfpenny is about two miles from the village whereas Windmill Down is adjacent. Oddly enough, Broadhalfpenny had a good pub immediately opposite (the famous Bat and Ball Inn) but Windmill Down did not!
History
On Tuesday 18 June 1782, the Hampshire Chronicle reported the first meeting on Windmill Down, referring to the ground as "a field called the New Broad Halfpenny adjoining to the Town of Hambledon". It is probable but unconfirmed that the first match was played there a week later. The first definite important match was Hampshire v All-England in August 1782, All-England winning by 147 runs.
Last match
Windmill Down was used regularly as the home venue for Hampshire matches until July 1795 when the last recorded match took place there.