Key Points
- The Hurlingham Club, an exclusive private members’ club in Fulham, west London, has submitted a planning application to Hammersmith and Fulham Council for a new cricket pavilion.
- The proposed pavilion aims to replace the existing structure, which is over 30 years old, made of two run-down portable cabins, and no longer suitable for patrons.
- The new building will provide level access for disabled visitors, including those with mobility issues and wheelchair users, along with facilities such as a clubroom, servery, umpire changing rooms, and toilets for spectators.
- The pavilion will measure 165 square metres, nearly double the current footprint, and feature a traditional design with a pitched roof, deep verandas, and crafted timber detailing.
- In winter, the space will serve croquet players, provide a resting point for members walking the grounds, and support club-run groups like Young Hurlingham and Hartbeeps for children.
- The current pavilion lacks changing rooms for officials, toilets for spectators, and accessible entry, failing to meet the club’s expectations, members’ standards, visitors’ needs, and English Cricket Board (ECB) guidelines.
- The Hurlingham Club occupies 42 acres of landscaped grounds near the River Thames, is recognised as one of the world’s finest private members’ clubs, and was established in 1869 as the birthplace of polo.
- Facilities include croquet and tennis lawns, botanical gardens, a Grade II listed Georgian clubhouse (Hurlingham House) with club rooms, restaurants, offices, gym, indoor tennis, pickleball, padel courts, and an indoor pool.
- Membership costs £1,400 annually, with a closed list reviewed once a year; notable members include the Princess of Wales.
- The planning report emphasises that the new structure draws on traditional cricket pavilion forms to enhance accessibility and functionality.
Fulham (West London News) January 21, 2026 – The Hurlingham Club, an exclusive private members’ club in Fulham, has applied to hammersmith-and-fulham/">Hammersmith and Fulham Council to construct a new cricket pavilion, addressing longstanding accessibility issues and outdated facilities for its patrons, including disabled visitors and spectators.
What Is the Hurlingham Club Planning for Its Cricket Facilities?
The Hurlingham Club’s planning application seeks to demolish the existing cricket pavilion, described in the submission as two run-down portable cabins over 30 years old and at the end of their operational life. According to the club’s planning report to Hammersmith and Fulham Council, the current structure is no longer “fitting” for patrons and fails to meet modern standards. It lacks essential amenities such as changing rooms for umpires or officials and toilets for spectators, while offering no access for people with mobility challenges or wheelchair users.
The proposed replacement is a 165 sqm wooden building, almost double the size of the existing footprint, designed to provide level access to a clubroom, servery, umpire changing rooms, and toilets. The architecture “draws on traditional cricket pavilion forms” featuring a pitched roof, deep verandas, and crafted timber detailing, ensuring it blends with the club’s historic aesthetic. This development aims to align with English Cricket Board (ECB) guidelines, which the current pavilion does not satisfy, and to meet the “expectation of the club, its members or visitors”.
In addition to summer cricket use, the pavilion will serve multiple purposes year-round. During winter, it will accommodate croquet players whose pitches are laid out on the cricket ground and act as a resting point for members strolling the grounds. The club also plans to utilise the space for its Young Hurlingham programme and Hartbeeps, a children’s group run internally.
Why Does the Current Pavilion Need Replacement?
The planning documentation highlights severe deficiencies in the existing setup. As stated in the Hurlingham Club’s report, the portable cabins provide no facilities for officials or spectators and exclude those with mobility issues, rendering it inaccessible and inadequate. This contravenes both club standards and ECB requirements for cricket venues.
The report further notes that the structure does not fulfil the expectations of the club’s discerning membership or its visitors, many of whom seek high-quality experiences at this prestigious venue. Replacement is positioned as essential to restore functionality and inclusivity, particularly for disabled individuals who currently cannot access the pavilion.
Who Are the Members and What Makes the Club Exclusive?
The Hurlingham Club is situated on 42 acres of landscaped grounds near the River Thames, earning acclaim as “one of the world’s finest private member clubs”. Founded in 1869, it holds historical significance as the birthplace of polo and offers an array of elite facilities, including croquet and tennis lawns, botanical gardens, and a stately Georgian clubhouse.
At the heart is Grade II listed Hurlingham House, the main mansion housing club rooms, restaurants, offices, gym spaces, indoor tennis courts, pickleball and padel courts, and an indoor pool. Membership is highly selective, with an annual fee of £1,400 and a closed list reviewed only once a year. Among its notable members is the Princess of Wales, underscoring its status among London’s social elite.
What Facilities Will the New Pavilion Offer?
If approved, the pavilion will introduce comprehensive amenities tailored to diverse users. Key features include level access throughout, ensuring wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges can enter freely. Internally, it will house a clubroom for socialising, a servery for refreshments, dedicated umpire changing rooms, and public toilets – absent in the current setup.
The design prioritises versatility: summer cricket matches will benefit from spectator facilities, while winter croquet sessions gain a dedicated hub. Members walking the expansive grounds will find a convenient rest area, and children’s programmes like Young Hurlingham and Hartbeeps will utilise the space for activities. This multi-functional approach maximises the 165 sqm footprint across seasons.
How Does This Fit into the Club’s Broader History and Grounds?
The Hurlingham Club’s 42-acre estate near the River Thames has evolved since 1869 into a premier destination for sports and socialising. Its grounds feature meticulously maintained croquet and tennis lawns alongside botanical gardens, complementing the Georgian clubhouse. Hurlingham House, Grade II listed, serves as the operational core with dining, fitness, and indoor sports options.
The cricket pavilion project aligns with this legacy by modernising facilities while preserving tradition. The wooden structure’s pitched roof and verandas evoke classic English cricket architecture, ensuring harmony with the site’s heritage. Polo’s origins here add cultural weight, positioning the upgrade as a continuation of excellence rather than mere renovation.
What Is the Timeline and Approval Process?
The application has been lodged with Hammersmith and Fulham Council, though no specific decision date is mentioned in the planning report. Approval would enable prompt construction, given the urgency of replacing the dilapidated cabins. The club emphasises compliance with local planning policies, accessibility mandates, and ECB standards to support its case.
Public consultation may follow standard council procedures, allowing residents and stakeholders to comment. The proposal’s focus on inclusivity for disabled users and community-oriented uses like children’s groups could bolster its chances in Fulham’s planning framework.
Why Is Accessibility a Key Focus?
Enhancing access for disabled visitors represents a core justification. The current pavilion’s total inaccessibility – no ramps, no adapted facilities – excludes a significant portion of potential users. The new design rectifies this with level entry and adaptable spaces, aligning with broader legal and ethical standards for public-facing venues.
The club’s report explicitly states this upgrade meets member expectations and ECB guidelines, previously unmet. By doubling the footprint to 165 sqm, it ensures ample room for inclusive use without compromising aesthetics or function.
Broader Implications for Elite Clubs in London
This development reflects trends among London’s private members’ clubs to modernise amid evolving inclusivity demands. The Hurlingham Club’s initiative, if approved, could set a precedent for heritage sites balancing tradition with accessibility. Its high-profile membership, including royalty, amplifies interest in how such venues adapt.
