Played in Britain
Charting the heritage of a nation at play
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We publish books about Britain's sporting heritage. If you like an old scoreboard, or a mildewed pavilion; if you would like to know where to find the world's oldest bowling green, or the best Art Deco grandstand in London; if you're fed up with homogenised, commercialised sport, and long to dive into a Victorian swimming pool with gorgeous ceramic tiling; if you think potting balls all afternoon in a dimly-lit billiard hall is definitely not time mis-spent; if you have ever wondered why tennis and suburbia go together so well, then Played in Britain is for you...
Find out more about Played in Britain, our books and our authors
Played in Britain has a reputation for thoroughness and insight... editor Simon Inglis deserves credit for the clarity of his vision.
John Burnett, Folk Life: Journal of Ethnological Studies
Played in Britain news feed: reporting on Britain's sporting heritage
Simon Inglis now on Twitter
May 11 2012
Played in Britain series editor Simon Inglis is now on Twitter as @The_SimonInglis and will be keeping followers informed of any new developments with the series and events, including the current Played in London exhibition at The Gallery in London.
Plaque unveiled at south London family home of 'Our 'Enry'
May 1 2012
A plaque marking the childhood home of heavyweight boxing favourite Sir Henry Cooper (1934-2011) has been unveiled by Lewisham Borough Council as part of its maroon plaque scheme for notable local residents.
For the full story, visit: thisislocallondon.co.uk
Pioneering Scottish sporting memories project rolled out nationwide
April 27 2012
Following on from its groundbreaking work using sporting memories to assist with the care of Alzheimer sufferers in Glasgow, the Sporting Memories Network has announced a new programme of support initatives across Britain - yet another example of the practical and social value of sporting heritage.
For more information, visit: www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com
Sporting Statues Project launches website
March 22 2012
Academics from Sheffield have today launched a website dedicated to Britain's growing number of sports-related statues – over a hundred so far - several of which are featured in Played in Britain books and on our gallery. The oldest dates from 1930 and depicts a motorcyclist, but the majority date from the last decade. A fascinating resource.
For the news story, visit BBC News
For the Statues website, visit: http://www.sportingstatues.com
Government minister backs return of greyhound racing to the Stow
February 29 2012
Campaigners hoping to re-open Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium have been given a boost by Cabinet member and MP for Chingford, Iain Duncan Smith. The 'Stow' closed in August 2008 and was sold to a housing developer. Also this week English Heritage stated their opposition to the developers' latest plans.
For the news story, see thisislondon.co.uk, and you can also visit Save our Stow.
Olympic Museum proposals finally confirmed
February 28 2012
After years of speculation amongst sports historians, the British Olympic Association has announced that there will, after all, be an Olympic museum within the Queen Olympic Elizabeth Park. The museum – one of Martin Polley's recommendation in his recent book, The British Olympics – is expected to open in 2014.
Read more: teamgb.com
Read more UK sport heritage news articles »
Selected titles from Played in Britain
Played in Tyne and Wear
Charting the heritage of a city at play
By Lynn Pearson
Full of warm nostalgia, but in a serious meaty way, absorbing detail and fascinating social history… the usual Played in Britain trick (is) luring you into their world and making you care as much as they do about something to which you’d barely given a thought before. And… the quality of the photography is superb.
The Observer
For me, this series of books is invaluable. Previous lack of attention by sports historians to the built environment and the way this reflected or impacted on sport is now being redressed. Long may this excellent work continue.
Richard W Cox (University of Manchester) Sport in History
I love your books... keep this wonderful stuff coming.
Brenda Grace, Pontefract
Hugely impressive and immensely important, Played in Britain (is) rapidly becoming the guardian of the nation's sporting heritage.
A marvellous series - how did we ever do without it?
Brian Salter, East Grinstead
Buy Played in Britain books from this site. Click 'buy now' links to add books to your basket. Signed copies are sent where possible. UK orders are post-free.
The British Olympics
Order your copy of The British Olympics, Britain’s Olympic heritage 1612-2012, post-free to UK customers.
Played in Tyne and Wear
Order your copy of Played in Tyne and Wear, charting the heritage of people at play, post-free to UK customers.
Sporting Plaques
In the run up to the 2012 Olympics, Played in Britain will be working with English Heritage to identify individuals and locations worthy of a sports-related blue plaque in London. View our gallery of existing sporting plaques and find out how to put forward your own nominations.