West Malvern Cricket Club

Cricket on a village green doesn't get much more English than this. West Malvern Cricket Club sits in proper countryside, with the Malvern Hills providing a spectacular backdrop that makes even a gentle knock-about feel rather special. The ground has that timeless quality you find at clubs that have been part of the community for generations.

Families will love the relaxed atmosphere - kids can run about safely while parents watch the match unfold at a pace that makes county cricket look frantic. Even non-cricket fans find themselves drawn in by the gentle rhythm of leather on willow and the inevitable tea interval.

Most matches are free to watch, though it's worth checking if there's a collection for the pavilion fund. Weekend games offer the full experience with proper teas and that satisfying thwack of bat meeting ball echoing off the hills.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks around Malvern - Oakmere Parks or the Caravan Club site are both within easy reach - this makes a lovely afternoon out. The setting alone is worth the short drive from your base, and there's something deeply satisfying about watching cricket with such a magnificent natural amphitheatre as your backdrop.