Clarence Park, St Albans

Clarence Park in St Albans, Hertfordshire, is a Victorian public park that doubles as one of the best-known football grounds in the south of England. It is the home of St Albans City, who play in the Isthmian League Premier Division, and it also holds a cricket ground, a bowls club and other sports facilities set among open green space.

What is Clarence Park?

The site combines two roles. For most of the week it works as an ordinary town park where residents walk, meet and relax. On match days it turns into a stadium, with supporters arriving for non-league football. Few places in a town of this size mix a public park and a senior club ground so closely.

How did the park begin?

Clarence Park dates from the summer of 1894. Sir John Blundell Maple, a Member of Parliament, donated roughly twenty-four and a half acres of land to the people of St Albans. The Duke of Cambridge opened the park on 23 July that year. The gift gave the growing town a large, planned recreation area at a time when organised sport was becoming popular across Britain. The cricket pavilion also dates from that period.

Which sports are played here?

• Football: The park has hosted football since the 1890s, and St Albans City, founded in 1908, has made it their home ground. The club has occasionally had to play elsewhere for a time because of unusual circumstances, but the park remains its base.
• Cricket: A cricket ground sits beside the football pitch and is used by St Albans Cricket Club, which plays in the Hertfordshire league system.
• Bowls: The bowls facilities were added in 1911 and are still in use.
• Other activities: Hockey and croquet have also been part of the park's sporting offer.

Is the park open to everyone?

Yes. Although several of the sports facilities are leased to private clubs, the terms of the park's use require them to stay available to the public. That arrangement preserves the original idea behind the 1894 gift: a space for the whole community, not only for club members.

Who is it good for?

Football fans will want to see a match at a traditional English non-league ground, where the atmosphere is close and the stands sit right beside the pitch. Cricket and bowls followers can watch a summer game in a pleasant setting. Families and local walkers can simply enjoy the grass and open space, which suits a short break during a visit to the city.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns the football ground at Clarence Park?

The land was donated to the citizens of St Albans in 1894, and the sports facilities are leased to clubs, with public use remaining a condition.

Which club plays football at Clarence Park?

St Albans City, a club formed in 1908 that competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Can I visit when there is no match?

The park is a public space, so you can walk there. Access to match areas on game days is normally through the club.

Where is it?

The park is in St Albans, Hertfordshire, a short distance from the city centre, at coordinates 51.753, -0.324.

What else is nearby?

St Albans has a historic centre with a cathedral, Roman remains and many cafes, so the park combines well with a wider city visit.