With picture-perfect spots
recommendations for this list, Abertillery Park is easy on the eye in many ways.
An oval ground enveloped by a host of trees, it really feels a world apart.
PARC DREFACH ABERAERON RFC
As far as settings go, does it get any more idyllic?
Situated right on the mid Ceredigion coast, Aberaeron RFC is just a drop kick away from the ocean.
The Seagulls haven’t lost at home since 2018, so not only is it picturesque, it’s also a fortress.
ABERAMAN PARK ABERCWMBOI RFC
Abercwmboi’s home ground boasts some tidy modern facilities, with a pitchside clubhouse providing the perfect viewpoint for a match.
But it’s not just the facilities that make this ground.
When the sun goes down and the floodlights come on, the mountains that surround it are nothing more than a silhouette and it’s quite striking.
THE REC - BEDLINOG RFC
Another ground that also looks stunning under the floodlights, with the silhouetted landscape behind the perfect backdrop.
Also, it has a shelter next to the scoreboard with a wood burner.
What’s not to love!
THE OLD PARISH MAESTEG RFC
“Welsh rugby is a rainy night at the end of the Llynfi Valley watching Maesteg drive forward on their table-top ground.”
So starts the penultimate paragraph in Fields of Praise, the Welsh Rugby Union’s official history.
A hill has to be climbed to reach Llynfi Road, the Old Parish’s base, but it is worth the effort.
The views from the summit are stunning, while the ground itself is homely and compact, with seats from the old National Stadium and a small stand whose decibel level soared in days of yore when the stadium was brimful with spectators.
History simply smacks you in the face at the home of Maesteg RFC. It’s a ground that remains a Welsh rugby treasure.
BROADACREDUNVANT RFC
The advice might be to wear a coat when visiting Broadacre because it’s a wide-open ground that the wind can whip through. But it’s also stunningly welcoming.
The stand provides a great view and a seriously impressive atmosphere can be generated around the pitch by spectators who are close to the players – call it the sound of the suburbs. The clubhouse is snug and the locals could not be more friendly.
Great people, great base and a pitch like a bowling green.
THE WELFARE GROUND - CAMBRIAN WELFARE RFC
Another ground that can call upon rolling hillsides as its backdrop, Cambrian Welfare’s ground has quite the stunning view.
Better known as ‘The Tump,’ it’s not just a beauty spot, it’s something of a fortress as well.
THE OVAL TREORCHY ZEBRAS
They say a picture paints a thousand words.
Well, the scenery tells you far more about what makes Treorchy Zebras’ ground picturesque than I ever could.
BORDER PARK TREFF-Y-CLAWDD
Any team travelling to Border Park faces a fair trek.
Good thing the ride to the Knighton-based club boasts some lovely views of mid Wales, while the ground itself is easy on the eye.
LAWRENCE PARK PONTYCYMMER RFC
This aerial shot of Pontycymmer RFC’S Lawrence Park pretty much tells you everything.
Situated in the Garw Valley, you could stare at the view from the pitch for hours on end.
THE GROE - BUILTH WELLS RFC
When it’s not flooded, which isn’t a given considering it’s situated right on the side of the River Wye, the Groe is a quite modest ground.
But, when the sun is out, the leaves on the trees that run down the one touchline are green and you can see over the river and onto the hills of neighbouring county Radnorshire, it’s glorious.
SULLY SPORTS RFC
Another coastal view.
Sully Sports RFC’S ground may be somewhat modest, given they’re a small village club with plenty of big clubs surrounding them, but the view alone is worth more than any facilities.
THE WELFARE GROUND - PORTH RFC
Back in the Rhondda Valley, the home of Porth Harlequins is set up on top of a hill, with rows of terraced housing rising on one side, and views of the surrounding mountains on the other.
Conditions don’t get more difficult than a damp December Saturday afternoon up there.
A lovely ground but a tough place to go.
TYNEWYDD RM PARK - TREHERBERT RFC
The home of The Devils is set inside a ‘cage,’ with a sign saying ‘Welcome to Hell’ greeting players as they leave the dressing room and enter the pitch.
Set at the foot of the Rhigos Mountain, the ground boasts a beautiful backdrop but there can be fewer more intimidating venues in Welsh rugby.
LASGARN VIEW GARNDIFFAITH RFC
Situated high on a mountain between Pontypool and Blaenavon, the ‘Garn’ has a reputation as a tough and unforgiving place.
It was the location for a major Welsh Cup upset with the Gwent village club demolishing Bridgend on a rare sunny and still winter’s day.
Usually, it’s blowing a gale and freezing. It’s not a place for the faint-hearted and visiting teams were often beaten before they arrived at the ‘Garn’ because of its reputation for no nonsense and a ‘warm welcome’ on and off the pitch.
THE WELFARE GROUND SENGHENYDD RFC
The Welfare Ground is seemingly a pretty common one in Welsh rugby grassroots grounds, but each one seems to have a different quality to it.
And Senghenydd’s Welfare Ground simply looks glorious on a clear day.
CLWB RYGBI HARLECH
The first castle on our list.
The presence of Harlech Castle watching over Clwb Rygbi Harlech’s pitch is quite unique.
Doesn’t get much more Welsh than that.
STAD DIWYDIANNOL LLWYN Y GELL - CLWB RYGBI BRO FFESTINIOG
With the slate mountains overlooking this ground, Clwb Rygbi Bro Ffestiniog’s home has an earthly feel to it.
The weather in Blaenau Ffestiniog isn’t always known to be great, but that view looks just as good in the misty rain as it does in sunshine.
WINDSOR FIELDS PONTYCLUN RFC
Abercwmboi aren’t the only Welsh ground with a stellar clubhouse vantage point.
The home of the Badgers has a clubhouse which provides a comprehensive view of the pitch – an essential for a great matchday experience.
GLAN YR AFAN PARK - BLACKWOOD RFC
In a similar vein to Maesteg’s Old Parish, Blackwood RFC’S ground is striking in its simplicity.
It also has a similar colour scheme to the Old Parish, with Glan yr Afan Park’s yellow and red the perfect border for its resplendent pitch.