For the latest news, please click on the following links:
- Leonard Taylor wins the GC C-level Series Final at Wrest Park
- All England AC Handicap Final held at WP, 19-20 Sep 2026
- Lucy Beach wins the WP September AC handicap tournament, 12-13 Sep 2026
- WP beat Northampton in the EACF GC Open League
- WP win Beds & Herts AC handicap league
Croquet is one of the finest outdoor sports. It is a friendly game combining ball skills as well as tactics, it’s relatively easy to understand, and it’s fun to play.
At Wrest Park Croquet Club, located in Bedfordshire, about 50 miles north of London, in the U.K., we are always pleased to receive new members, of any age or level of experience from beginner to advanced.
If you are an experienced club or match player, please click on the “About us” section to learn more about the club and how to get in touch.
If you are thinking of taking up croquet from scratch, please keep reading this section for a brief introduction to the game and its benefits.
Why play croquet?
Croquet is an enjoyable, sociable game that can be played by people of any age and gender.
There are two principal forms of the game – Association and Golf.
Association Croquet is a game of complex strategy and high levels of skill, and is similar in many ways to games like snooker or pool.
Golf Croquet is quick to learn, but requires accuracy and tactics to master.
Both forms of the game may be played as singles or doubles and many people enjoy playing both, as skills learned in one form of the game may be applied to the other.
Croquet’s effective handicap system recognises smart thinking as much as physical skill, so everyone has a fair chance of winning.
As with any game, the best players probably start young, but many take it up after retiring from more energetic pursuits. It can be as skilful as you want it to be – advanced players can take it very seriously, but many club members probably see it as a pleasurable and relaxing way of meeting up with friends and getting a bit of gentle exercise.
About the club
The club was formed in 1961, and is in the publicly accessible grounds of Wrest Park, an English Heritage property in Central Bedfordshire, mid-way between between Bedford and Luton.
We are a friendly club with c.70 members, open all year round and membership is open to people of any age. New recruits are always welcome, and all members have the use of our equipment as well as access to coaching from our more experienced players.
For both formats of the game, there are internal events and regional and national leagues and tournaments for those who wish to play competitively. These cater for all levels of player from beginner to expert.
Interested in playing?
Before deciding whether to join the club, prospective members are welcome to try the game. See our taking part section for details, and contact us if you want more information.