Counties - Media Guide to the Grounds (Updated 2012)
Warwickshire (Edgbaston, Birmingham) by George Dobell
Birmingham (Edgbaston)
Directions
The County Ground, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7QU
The main entrance to the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in on Edgbaston Road (B4217),
which is just off Pershore Road (A441).
Public Transport
The nearest main-line railway stations, situated approximately 1 mile from the ground,
are Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham Snow Hill.
Taxi services are readily available.
Bus numbers 45 and 47 from the City Centre run along Pershore Road (A441).
For further public transport information telephone Traveline on 0871 200 2233.
By Car
From M6
Leave at Junction 6, follow signs for "A38(M) City Centre" and then "A38 South West" through
Queensway Tunnel, turn left at 1st set of traffic lights and then right at the roundabout onto
the A441 (Pershore Road).
From Wolverhampton
A4123 and A456 (Hagley Road) to Five Ways, follow signs to Moseley and Edgbaston (B4217).
From M40
Join M42 (M42 west and M5), leaving at Junction 3. Follow A435 towards Birmingham,
through Kings Heath and turn left to Edgbaston.
From Solihull-Stratford
Leave Stratford Road (A34) at College Road. Follow signs for Moseley and Edgbaston (B4217).
From Worcester / Bromsgrove
A38 or M5 (leave at Junction 4) through Northfield and Selly Oak, turning right at
Priory Road traffic lights (B4217).
Car Parking
For most county games there will be ample free media parking. Take a ticket from the machine as you
enter the ground and park on the gravel to the left. You can validate your ticket at reception which
will ensure you can leave without paying. For major matches you will need to liaise with the ECB, but
there should be parking available in Hunters Court (just off Pershore Road).
Cycling
The ground is adjacent to the Rea Valley Cycle Way. Cycle Racks are available.
Facilities
Edgbaston has recently undergone an extensive redevelopment and the excellent new press box is on the
top floor of the new pavilion complex.
The press box is best accessed off Edgbaston Road via door E2. Enter via the club’s main reception
(the large blue part of the new building) and ask directions as required. You may also require a code
to access the press box. Either call Tom in advance (details below) or ask upon arrival.
Contacts: Tom Rawlings is the best first point of contact. His number is 07770 728 409 (that is Abi
Dollery’s old work number). EMAIL: TomRawlings@edgbaston.com He is, in effect, the press officer.
He will arrange a press conference every evening as required.
Refreshments
Tea, coffee, orange juice and water is also available in the press box lounge, which is immediately
behind the box. A very good lunch is provided at first-class games – go to the members’ restaurant
on the second floor of the new pavilion and show your press pass at the till. Sandwiches and crisps
are delivered to the box during Twenty20 matches.
Pubs, bars:
The Plough in Harborne is excellent. See http://www.theploughharborne.co.uk for details. The Black
Eagle is a more traditional pub, but equally good and provides outstanding value for money. See
http://www.theblackeaglepub.co.uk/ for details. Both serve good food, real ale and have beer gardens.
The Plough clientele is, generally, younger.
Hotels
It can be more difficult finding a hotel room in Birmingham than you would think. There are plans
for a hotel to be built as part of the redevelopment of the area around the ground but, for now,
it may well pay to book somewhere well in advance. Check out: www.laterooms.com or www.smoothhound.
co.uk for loads of great deals. The Hyatt, just off Broad Street, is one of the better hotels. Norma Major
refers to it as her favourite hotel in the world. +44 121 643 1234 . Malmaison is also good. It’s located in
The Mailbox near New Street and can be contacted on 0121 246 5000 The England team tend to stay there
these days. Many years ago they used to stay at The Plough and Harrow (on the Hagley Road), but it’s
seen better days and is now a budget hotel. Their number is 0121 454 4111. For those on very low
budgets, the Hagley Road offers a huge choice of cheap hotels. These range from £18 b&b upwards.
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