Greatest Cricket Moments

Royal Brunswick Ground Opens at Hove — Sussex's New Headquarters, 1827

1827-06-04n/aOpening of the Royal Brunswick Ground, Hove, June 18271 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

In June 1827 the Royal Brunswick Ground opened at Hove — Sussex cricket's new principal venue, replacing the open Steine at Brighton as the county's main fixture ground. The Brunswick was used until 1872 and was the home of Sussex cricket through the great roundarm decades. Its opening confirmed Hove's emergence as a cricket centre and prepared the ground for the 1872 move to the present County Ground.

What Happened

The Steine at Brighton had grown crowded with promenaders and was unsuited to dedicated cricket use. The Royal Brunswick Ground — laid out by Brighton businessmen on the Hove side of the boundary — provided a properly enclosed pitch with paying gates. It opened in June 1827 with a Sussex v MCC fixture. The ground was used continuously until 1872, when Sussex CCC moved to the present County Ground half a mile east.

Timeline

1801

First major match on the Steine, Brighton

Jun 1827

Royal Brunswick Ground opens

1872

Brunswick closes; Sussex moves to present County Ground

Aftermath

The Brunswick was Sussex's main ground through the 1830s, 1840s, 1850s and 1860s. It was sold for development in 1872 and built over.

⚖️ The Verdict

Sussex cricket's first dedicated headquarters — the home of the county game for forty-five years.

Tags

#roundarm-era#royal-brunswick-ground#hove#sussex#1827#iconic-moment

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