Compton is one of the oldest, if not THE oldest croquet club in the country, tracing its history back to 1863, when the Eastbourne Cricket, Archery and Croquet Club advertised in the Eastbourne Gazette that it was open to visitors. The ground was at Ashford Road, near the railway station, where the multi-storey car park now stands. In a subsequent report of a general meeting of the cricket club in December 1863, a reference was made to "the croquet club", indicating a separate existence. In 1869 the club was one of the those summoned by the All England Croquet Club, now the Croquet Association, to agree the laws of the game and in September 1869 a two day croquet tournament was one of the events of the Eastbourne season.
Compton Croquet Club was founded in 1898 on its present site at The Saffrons Sports Ground. One hundred and twenty years on, we continue to maintain five of the original lawns laid at The Saffrons, to the first class standards required of the prestigious events that we welcome each year: the Inter Counties, South of England Championship and South of England Week. We've also hosted a number of international matches.
Over the past two years, Compton’s clubhouse has undergone much restoration and renovation, whilst maintaining its essential character - quite a challenge as we border a conservation area. As our complete refurbishment ends, it brings us very firmly into the 21st century, complete with Wifi!
With its enviable sunshine record, theatres, cinemas, fine restaurants, lavish gardens and beautiful surrounding countryside steeped in history, Eastbourne has much to offer resident and visitor alike. Come and sample the delights!
How to get here
Compton Croquet Club is in the grounds of the Saffrons Sports Club, Compton Place Road, Eastbourne BN21 1EA.
By road
For SATNAV please use BN21 1EA – we have no number, but this will bring you to Compton Place Road. The entrance is along the long flint wall, follow this to the Saffrons Sports Ground (large yellow sign) enter and follow the road immediately to your left to the car park that is adjacent to the first lawn. Please don’t park on the narrow road.
Click here for a map showing the approach roads to Eastbourne and here for a street map indicating the location of the club. If you approach from the north on A22, the west on the A27 or from the east on A259, resist the signs on the large new roundabout near Polegate which try to steer you to 'Eastbourne Town Centre' - instead follow that for 'Willingdon'. Then at the next big roundabout after Willingdon, take the exit for 'Town Centre' and this will bring you directly to the mini-roundabout at the railway station. Turn right up Grove Road and continue as below under On foot.
Parking: You are strongly advised to use the free car park inside the Saffrons – many a wing mirror has been smashed on cars parked on the narrow road outside! PLEASE NOTE that there is a competing British Cycling event in town on 27th/28th July, so there may be problems parking even inside the Saffrons - brandish your copy of the Championship Programme to ensure your admittance free of charge!
By train
Trains run from London Victoria twice an hour, reaching Eastbourne 85 minutes later – for times consult National Rail Enquiries. Eastbourne station is shown as a red dot on the street map link above. Eastbourne is about 80 minutes by train from Southwick, normally changing at Brighton, cost £15-25 return depending on time of day.
Train timetables can be seen here: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk. The Trainline website http://www.trainline.com has the timetables too, but also allows you to book tickets and has an app also.
On foot from the station: (10 minutes) walk up Grove Road (opposite the station), pass the Town Hall on your right at the top of the road and bear right along Meads Road with the wall of the Saffrons Sports ground on your right. At the end of the wall turn right into Compton Place Road and after about 300 meters you will find the gate of the Croquet Club in the flint wall on your right.
Accessibility
Access to our clubhouse will be via a grassy, slightly undulating, very gradual slope in places, from the car park - approximately 60m.
A removable ramp is available for the small step into and out of the clubhouse and another to access the cloakroom with our accessible toilet facilities.
Facilities
Our website is: https://croquet-websites.org.uk/compton/
Internet Wifi access: In clubhouse.
Catering: We have a full kitchen and a licensed bar and will be offering a two-course buffet lunch with plenty of choice from 12 noon to 2pm each day for £10. Afternoon tea will be available from 3pm.
Tea, coffee and cold drinks will be available in the clubhouse all day, as will cake, scones, etc.. The bar is available for soft drinks and for alcoholic drinks during licensing hours.
We will be happy to refill players’ water bottles and will be erecting a party tent near the pavilion for use as a dining room cum chilling room to ease pressure on the clubhouse.
Our telephone number is: 01323 644868
