This ‘World Renowned Inn’ stands at the boundary of one of the world’s most famous cricket grounds. In fact, the ground owes its very existence to the old inn. In c1837, William Clarke married the landlady of The Trent Bridge Inn and soon staged cricket matches on the newly cleared field to the rear. Clarke captained the county team for many years. The plaque on the main gate describes him as the ‘Father of Nottinghamshire Cricket’.

A plaque documenting the history of The Trent Bridge Inn

The plaque reads: This long-standing local landmark hasn’t always been known as the Trent Bridge Inn. The 1838 map of the area shows that there was an inn on the site by the name of the Three Horse Shoes and Crown. It later became known from its location next to the bridge over the River Trent. The original inn was demolished in 1890, when the present Trent Bridge was built immediately behind.

These premises were refurbished by J D Wetherspoon in May 2011.

A photograph and text about Trent Bridge Cricket Ground

The text reads: Trent Bridge is the world-famous home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. It has staged county cricket since 1838 and is the world’s third-oldest test ground.

The first Test Match held here was in early June 1899, when England drew a three-day game against Australia. The ground was subsequently chosen to host the first match in the first ever five-match Test series in England. It was the last Test Match played by the legendary cricketer W G Grace, who was approaching his 51st birthday, and the first played by Wilfred Rhodes.

The ground has seen many changes since the pavilion was built in 1886. The Fox Road and Radcliffe Road sides of the ground have been developed in recent years, and the ‘New William Clarke Stand’ was opened in 2010.

Photographs of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground

Top: The Trent Bridge Ground, c1900
Left: The first Trent Bridge pavilion, used until 1872
Right: The 1872 pavilion, built by S Dutton Walker, in use until 1886

An illustration of George Parr, 1826–91

A photograph of the old and new Trent Bridge Inns, before the original was demolished, c1888

A photograph of the England women’s cricket team, taking the field at Trent Bridge, c1910

Photographs and text about George Parr

The text reads: Captain Nottinghamshire County 11 1856–69 who was known as ‘The Lion of the North’. He was the greatest batsman of his generation and a famous leg hitter, he so frequently hit the ball into or over this tree that it became known as ‘George Parr’s Tree’.

Photographs and text about Notts County FC

The text reads: Notts County are the world’s oldest professional football league club, having been formed in 1862. In 1888, Notts County and eleven other clubs founded The Football League. Their highest ever league finish (third place) came three seasons later.

That same season, the club reached its first ever FA Cup Final, on 25 March 1891, losing to Blackburn Rovers at The Oval. Three years later, Notts County won the cup at Goodison Park, defeating Bolton Wanderers 4–1.

In those early years, the club played its games at several grounds, before settling at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in 1883. ‘County’ moved out in 1894, playing at several venues until 1910, when the club moved to Meadow Lane, its home to this day.

Top: Notts County playing at Trent Bridge, before the move to Meadow Lane
Centre: The 1894 FA Cup winning team
Above: The opening of the Meadow Lane ground

External photograph of the building – main entrance