Parker's Piece facts for kids

Parker's Piece is a large, flat, and mostly square green area in the middle of Cambridge, England. It covers about 25 acres (10 hectares). Many people believe it's where the rules of modern association football (soccer) were first created.

Two main paths for walking and cycling cross Parker's Piece diagonally. There's a single lamp-post where these paths meet, which people jokingly call Reality Checkpoint. The area is surrounded by streets like Park Terrace, Parkside, Gonville Place, and Regent Terrace.

Today, Parker's Piece is a popular spot for picnics and games of football and cricket. It's also used as a sports field for students from nearby Parkside Community College. Sometimes, daytime events and concerts are held here. The north-western part is still used for league cricket matches.

The coronation feast of 1838.

In 1838, a huge feast for 15,000 guests took place on Parker's Piece. This event celebrated the crowning of Queen Victoria. You can also find a blue plaque here that honors the famous cricketer Jack Hobbs. It's on the wall of a building known as Hobbs Pavilion.

The Story of Parker's Piece

Parker's Piece in 1907.

Before 1613, Parker's Piece belonged to Trinity College. That year, the college traded it with the town of Cambridge. They exchanged it for another piece of land called Garrett Hostel Green. This land is now where the famous Wren Library stands.

Parker's Piece got its name from Edward Parker. He was a cook at Trinity College who had rented the land since 1587.

For many years, Parker's Piece was an important sports ground. It hosted first-class cricket matches from 1817 to 1864. In the 1800s, students from the University of Cambridge used it for many sports events. This included important Varsity Matches against Oxford.

Parker's Piece covered in snow in March 2005. Hobbs Pavilion is on the left.

Parker's Piece and Football History

In the 1800s, football was also commonly played on Parker's Piece. George Corrie, who was in charge of Jesus College in 1838, wrote about it. He said, "In walking with Willis we passed by Parker's Piece and there saw some forty Gownsmen playing at football. The novelty and liveliness of the scene were amusing!"

How Football Rules Began

Parker's Piece is very important in the history of modern football games. This is because different versions of the Cambridge Rules were first used here.

The 1863 Cambridge rules were even advertised in sports newspapers. They said a game would be played on November 20, 1863, on Parker's Piece. These rules played a big part in creating the first official laws for the Football Association (FA). The FA published its laws in December of that same year.

New Football Tactics

In 1882, the Cambridge University AFC football team moved away from Parker's Piece. Around this time, the team played a big role in developing modern passing and "combination" play. This means players worked together more, passing the ball to each other.

Experts say that the Cambridge University team of 1882 was the first "combination" team. Each player had a specific area of the field and played as part of a team. Their game was based on passing the ball. This new style helped create the modern football game we know today.

Remembering Football's Roots

The "Cambridge Rules 1848" monument.

In 2000, a special plaque was put up on Parker's Piece. It was placed there by a football team made up of homeless people. The plaque says: "Here on Parker's Piece, in the 1800s, students established a common set of simple football rules emphasizing skill above force, which forbade catching the ball and 'hacking'. These 'Cambridge Rules' became the defining influence on the 1863 Football Association rules."

In May 2018, a monument called "Cambridge Rules 1848" was put on Parker's Piece. This monument has four stone pillars. They are carved with the 1856 Cambridge Rules, translated into several languages.

Trial Lighting

In January 2013, lights were temporarily put along one path on Parker's Piece for a four-week test. This was because some people felt the park was unsafe after dark. There had been a few attacks in the park before this trial.

Parkside Street

Parkside is the street on the north-east side of Parker's Piece. Since 2006, it has been a main stop for long-distance buses and local bus services. The city's police and fire stations are also located on Parkside. It also provides access to Parkside Community College.

Images for kids

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  Looking towards Our Lady and the English Martyrs Church

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  The Catholic church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs viewed from Parker's Piece.

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  Race for Life 2011 at Parker's Piece. The turreted building in the background is the De Vere University Arms Hotel.

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  Detail of the Reality Checkpoint lamp-post

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  Trial lighting in February 2013.