Greatest Cricket Moments

Final Match at Dorset Square — The Original Lord's Closes, May 1810

1810-05-08MCC vs MiddlesexMCC v Middlesex, Lord's Old Ground (Dorset Square), 8 May 18101 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

On 8 May 1810 the MCC played Middlesex on the original Lord's ground at Dorset Square — the last major match on the site Thomas Lord had opened in 1787. The Portman Estate's notice to terminate, served in October 1808, took effect at the close of play. The Dorset Square ground was given over to building work within weeks; cricket at Lord's continued at the new Middle Ground at North Bank.

Background

The Dorset Fields ground had been the central venue for major cricket since 1787. Its closure had been signalled by the Portman Estate's October 1808 notice.

What Happened

Lord had opened the Dorset Fields ground in 1787, and it had served as cricket's central venue for twenty-three years. Following the Portman Estate's October 1808 notice, the lease ran out in spring 1810. The MCC scheduled a single farewell match — MCC v Middlesex — for 8 May. Beauclerk played for MCC and made 41; Middlesex were beaten by an innings. At the close of play the ground was formally vacated. Building work for the surrounding Regency terraces began later in May; the strip itself was preserved as the central garden of the new Dorset Square.

Timeline

1787

Thomas Lord opens the Dorset Fields ground

Oct 1808

Portman Estate serves notice

8 May 1810

Final match: MCC v Middlesex

Jun 1810

Building work begins on the site

Aftermath

The Middle Ground at North Bank continued in use until 1813, when the Regent's Canal extension forced a second move to the present St John's Wood site.

⚖️ The Verdict

The end of the original Lord's — a ground that had hosted twenty-three years of major cricket.

Legacy & Impact

The 1810 closure ended the first phase of Lord's history. The site survives as Dorset Square — a small London garden ringed by Regency terraces, with a plaque marking the cricket ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the original pitch preserved?▾
The line of the strip survives as the central garden of Dorset Square. The square is open to the public during daylight hours.

Tags

#regency-cricket#underarm#thomas-lord#dorset-square#lord-s-old-ground#1810#iconic-moment

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