Brambles Bank cricket match

What to expect

The Royal Southern Yacht Club from Hamble and the Island Sailing Club from Cowes sail out to Bramble Bank, between Southampton and Cowes, as the tide drops to its lowest point. Players leap ashore, stumps go in, and a match is played on wet sand, often in ankle-deep water, until the sea returns and waves stop play. There is a cheerful catch: the result is decided in advance, with the two clubs taking it in turns to win. The real contest is with the tide. Matches have been played at dawn and at dusk, depending on when the lowest tide falls.

The story behind it

Accounts differ on when it all began: some trace the idea back to the 1950s, while the 2024 match was billed as the 40th anniversary of the first game. Famous sailors have taken part, including Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. The bank itself is slowly moving westward and changing shape, so every match feels a little precious, and there are worries that one day there may be no dry sand left to play on. The trophy changes hands each year in the clubs' agreed turn.

Getting there and home

There is no way to watch from land: the bank is mid-Solent, close to busy shipping lanes. Spectators watch from boats, so you will need your own vessel or a place on someone else's, and you should check with one of the clubs before setting out. On land, Southampton Central connects with ferries to the Isle of Wight, including Cowes, and Hamble station serves the Royal Southern Yacht Club. Cowes is a lively base for an overnight stay.

Watching, taking part and tips

The match is played by the two clubs' teams, so visitors watch from the water. Stay well clear of commercial shipping, follow instructions from organisers and keep a sensible distance from the players on the bank. Low tides can fall very early or very late, so check the time and bring warm, waterproof clothing. If you are not a confident sailor, go with an experienced skipper. Photos and footage are often shared afterwards if you cannot get afloat.

Taking part

Your ticket to this match is a seat on a boat, so sort that out first — don't buy a ferry ticket and hope to hitch a ride once you reach Cowes. The Island Sailing Club's own report confirms this is its annual match against the Royal Southern, but there's no advertised public passenger trip. Ask the clubs whether any visitor arrangements exist and who'll be looking after your passage out and back. A cricket fixture on a sandbank doesn't come with an automatic invitation aboard a club boat.

Once you've found a berth, talk landings with the skipper. You might prefer watching from a secure seat on board to climbing into a tender or stepping out onto the bank. Ask where the boat will come back to, whether you'll be expected to help with lines, and how you'll hear about any change in the weather. Keep your accommodation and onward travel flexible until the boat plan is settled. That matters far more than which side you're cheering for — the sea has very firm views on when everyone goes home.

Eating and drinking

Plan your food around the boat trip — there's no pavilion on the sand, and no public catering has been announced for the next match. Ask your skipper whether food is provided, whether there's room for a small packed lunch, and whether hot drinks can be made safely on board. A sandwich in a waterproof box is far easier to manage than anything that needs plates, cutlery and a level table. Keep your drinking water somewhere you can grab it without emptying every locker.

In the same conversation, ask about toilets. A small spectator boat may not have any, so find out how long you're likely to be away from shore. If you're bringing children, or someone with a medical need, raise this when you first arrange your place. Book any meal ashore for well after the skipper expects to be back, rather than a tight restaurant slot. The clubs' friendly rivalry is well documented, but an after-match dinner mentioned in an old report isn't an open invitation to every spectator.

Make a day of it nearby

Choose your extra outing on whichever shore you're staying. On the Isle of Wight, Osborne in East Cowes was Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's home, with gardens and a beach. English Heritage treats the house, grounds and Swiss Cottage separately, with seasonal restrictions, so check what your ticket covers. It's a proper visit in its own right — give it a separate half-day if the cricket sailing time is still up in the air.

On the mainland, Netley Abbey shows you a different side of the Solent's history. These Cistercian ruins stand near Southampton Water, and much of the medieval church survives. Watch for uneven surfaces and steps, and note there are no toilets on site. It makes a good stop on the way to Hamble, as long as its opening hours fit your boat plans. These are options for different sides of the water, not a dash between the two — allow for the crossing if your bed, boat and sightseeing are on opposite shores.

Questions people ask

Where it is

Map pin shows the approximate area where the event happens. Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Go straight to the source

Independent research. The organiser’s own information always wins — we have not visited or tested the journeys.

• Calendar Customs: Brambles cricket match ↗
• Express & Star: 2024 match in pictures ↗
• Island Sailing Club: its account of the annual fixture ↗
• English Heritage: Osborne ↗
• English Heritage: Netley Abbey ↗