The Artillery Ground is an open space originally set aside for archery.
It belongs to the Honourable Artillery Compan, whose headquarters, Armoury House, overlook the grounds.
In 1498 about 11 acres of the 23-acre Bunhill Fields were set aside for the practice of archery and shooting. Today’s 8-acre site was given to the Artillery Company in 1638.
The earliest cricket match at the Artillery Ground took place on 31 August 1730 between London and Surrey. The ground quickly became London’s first choice home venue with five matches recorded there in 1731. It eventually fell into disrepute because of uncontrolled gambling and ceased to be used for first-class cricket, the last known match taking place in 1778.
On 15 September 1784 Vincenzo Lunardi, flew a balloon from the Artillery Ground, the first such flight in England.
