The Club, which was founded in 1929, now has the exclusive use of nine full-sized lawns. Some of these are usable as two half-sized lawns for Short Croquet or for anyone who prefers to play in this format. We have two grade II listed, recently renovated, stone-built pavilions. We have timber shelters by most of our lawns, and a shipping container for secure storage of outdoor items. The club provides all the necessary lawn equipment (mallets, balls, hoops etc), including equipment for juniors, so players need only bring a pair of flat-soled shoes. WiFi is provided across the whole site.
The croquet lawns are the club’s most cherished asset. They require considerable care to keep them in good condition, provided for us by Nottingham City Council as part of our lease agreement. Custodianship of the playing surfaces for the long term is an abiding concern, so that we and our successors may continue to enjoy the use of high quality lawns for years to come. All lawns are served by computer-controlled automatic irrigation systems using water from our own borehole.
The east pavilion has a large common / dining room, ladies’ and gents’ toilets and changing rooms with lockers, a well-equipped catering kitchen and pantry, and a self-service refreshment area. The pantry has a landline payphone (0115 922 2237), but this will only be answered if someone is free and within earshot.
The west pavilion has a level-access electrically operated door leading via a lobby area to two unisex toilets (one with enhanced accessibility and baby changing), and an equipment storage area. The main entrance opens into a spacious croquet lounge / multi-purpose toom, off which we have a small members’ kitchen, refreshment area, club room and storage room.
Members may use the West kitchen (except when in use by tournaments) to store and prepare their own food; please leave them clean and tidy. No cash is stored on the premises – please settle all accounts online, by cheque or in the Members’ Accounts book.
During the season, which typically runs from early April to early October, members may visit all day, seven days a week, and – so long as lawns are free – play. Lawns may be booked in advance using our online lawn booking system and casual play is possible on lawns which are not booked – some being reserved for this purpose. We run Open Days and accommodate casual play from visitors and passers-by when possible, and also have club “roll-up” sessions when players may drop in to play whoever is waiting for a game. On many Saturday afternoons we run our popular club social doubles events followed by afternoon tea. As part of the wider croquet community, we host tournaments and matches of local, national or international importance, providing competitive opportunities for members and also providing extra sources of income for the club. Coaching courses for beginners are run each year, and we have programmes of ongoing coaching for more experienced players at all levels. Coaching is given freely by experienced members.
Outside the main playing season there may be some limited lawn availability for members to play, subject to maintenance and weather considerations.
