This is a pub or rather “Inn” that I have wanted to re-visit for several years so one Sunday, I decided to take the bull by the horns and do so.

Looking out over Clanfield

Sitting outside with the Hound, a cricket match being played opposite, it offers a quintessentially English country experience.  The food is not cheap (our two courses with drinks came to GBP48) but it was delicious.  Everything is cricket related as you might expect, given the Bat & Ball is historically closely linked to the world of cricket. The ground opposite at Broadhalfpenny Down is often referred to as the cradle of cricket as it is where the ground rules were first established back around 1750.   Today, there’s abundant serious cricketing memorabilia inside and a refreshingly tongue in cheek lack of deference evident too with a mini cricket bat being used as a table number.  You don’t have to be a cricket fan to enjoy the Bat & Ball – it’s worth coming for the food alone – but your experience will be immeasurably increased if you are.  (See separate post – A3 Wanderings:  The Cradle of Cricket.)

Contributor:  Sue Lowry