Work team building and socials
Have you considered croquet as the focus of a works event? The game lends itself to developing team building, or simply as an occasion for trying something new and enjoyable as a works social event.
Croquet in the sun for Nestle UKWe can accommodate groups of between four and twenty-four people on the lawns at one time.
The club is taking bookings now for this year and next. These can of course be firm, or provisional while you confirm details. The cost is usually £20 per person, and includes the services of Club Croquet coaches.
We are more than willing to discuss possibilities and will be very happy to tailor arrangements to suit you. A typical one-and-a-half or two-hour programme might include welcome tea and biscuits; a short introduction to the game and its tactics; basic guidance on holding the mallet, hitting the ball and hoop running; and plenty of time for sociable play.
All smiles - work team building group from TSYS York
"Many thanks for the evening. It was a great success." Barry Rodgers, Quality Policy Manager, AB Connect
"We had a wonderful time." Emily Thorp, Head of Music, Media and Performing Arts, York College
"Many thanks for hosting the event for our Technical and Development team on Monday evening. All my colleagues enjoyed it enormously. The help and advice provided by yourself and your club members was invaluable and that, together with the warm welcome, made the evening a real success. I will definitely pass your details on to friends, and anyone else I hear of who is thinking of having a team building/social event." Patricia Rucklidge, Assistant Accreditation Manager, AB Connect
"A big thanks for yesterday. Everyone very much enjoyed the afternoon and it was the perfect activity for our team day." Sam Dixon, Nestle Research and Development
"We had a brilliant time! Dave was the perfect host and did a brilliant job of guiding us through the session. It was a super morning, pitched just right, which the whole team enjoyed." Caroline Watson, Friends Provident Association
"It was a pleasure - the time flew by and everyone enjoyed it." Andrew Riley, BDO Financial Services, Leeds
We are near the station, very close to major York hotels, and with everything from pub grub to fine dining close at hand. For an informal discussion please ring the Club Secretary, Christine Morris, on 07981 049174, or email
Community groups
York Croquet Club warmly welcomes community groups who are looking for an outdoor activity or an opportunity for outdoor socialising on the club lawns.
Some community groups opt to play Association Croquet. Others go for Golf Croquet, a straightforward and sociable version of the game, which uses the same equipment as Association Croquet but which can be learned in a few minutes.
WI croquet day on the Club lawnsLocal community groups visiting the York Croquet Club lawns on a regular basis to play croquet have included the 41 Club; a thriving section of York U3A, who meet at the Club several times a week during the season to play Golf Croquet on the practice lawns; various church groups; students from a local language college; and (playing a specially simplified version of the game) Dementia Forward. Other groups come for one-off afternoons or evenings as part of their ongoing social or activity programmes.
The Club is taking bookings now for this year and next. We are more than willing to discuss possibilities. Our normal fee for an afternoon or evening based on croquet is £20 per person, including guidance and encouragement from a Club coach. We are happy to offer a reduced fee of £15 per person to local community groups for a one-and-a-half hour or two hour session. This typically includes welcome; an introduction to technique and rules; tea and coffee; and, usually, time for a couple of short games. Croquet can be played on equal terms by people regardless or gender or age, and the different forms of the game mean that croquet lends itself to groups looking for sociability, for serious play, or simply for something enjoyable.
We are always happy to welcome new groups. Attractive long-term rates are available if your group is considering playing frequently at the Club. For an informal discussion please ring the Club Secretary, Christine Morris, on 07981 049174, or email
"Thank you for an excellent day. Feedback was very positive and I will be getting in touch with you shortly to arrange another." Linda Cariss, WI, North Yorkshire East Federation
Play-in-a-Day
Play-in-a-Day is a one-day experience of Association Croquet. You’ll get a hands-on insight into this absorbing game, accompanied by sufficient of the technique and tactics to allow you to experience the game fully and decide if Association Croquet is for you.
The morning is spent on basic technique, the key rules of the game, and some of the most commonly used shots, in readiness for a short guided game in the early afternoon. The day closes with a full game in which you can make your own tactical decisions or call on advice and guidance if you wish.
Play-in-a-Day is held at the York Croquet Club lawns on Scarcroft Road. The day will be led by an experienced and qualified Club coach accredited by Croquet England, the game’s national governing body. You will learn a lot, but, as always at York Croquet Club, the emphasis is on enjoyment.
To ensure participants have opportunity for individual guidance, groups are limited to eight, so booking is essential. All equipment is supplied. Please wear flat-soled footwear.
Date for 2025:
Sunday 15 June, 10 am to 4 pm
The cost of the day is £35 per person. If you join the Club after completing Play-in-a-Day, or if you want to do the longer Introductory Course, you will be entitled to a reduction. To book a place on Play-in-a-Day or find out more please ring the Club Secretary, Christine Morris, on 07981 049174 or email
"Can I just say how much we enjoyed Play-in-a-Day. It was brilliant and we left feeling very enthused!" - Alice Walker
Introductory courses
Our introductory courses offer a full experience of Association Croquet and provide an in-depth introduction to the technique, laws and tactics of the game.
Courses follow the model established by Croquet England (CqE) - the sport’s governing body. Sessions are led by CqE qualified Club-level Coaches.
As well as a comprehensive introduction to Association Croquet you will be given individual guidance, support and encouragement. Places cost £65 and numbers are limited to four participants per course with one Club coach or eight per course with two Club coaches. If you join the Club after completing the course you will be entitled to membership for the remainder of the season for £30.
Introductory courses in 2025:
Course 1 - five Tuesday mornings starting Tuesday 29 April, 10.00am to 12.00. Course leaders Christine Morris and Debbie James
Course 2 - five Thursday evenings starting Thursday 05 June, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Course leaders Cathie Dance and Fiona Crompton
All courses cover a full introduction to the game and prepare participants to play this absorbing game with confidence and pleasure.
To join a course, or find out more, please ring the Club Secretary, Christine Morris, 07981 049174. We will be very pleased to help.
Try Croquet taster sessions
Drop-in Try Croquet taster afternoons are offered regularly through the playing season. These are informal sessions offering have-a-go croquet, information and guidance. No experience of the game is necessary.
Some of the participants at a drop-in taster session
Free drop-in Try Croquet taster afternoons at the Club lawns in 2025:
Family drop-in 1: Sunday 27 April, 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Family drop-in 2: Sunday 25 May, 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Family drop-in 3: Sunday 01 June, 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Sessions are free of charge and all equipment is supplied. No need to book – just turn up with flat-soled footwear. This is an excellent way to see if croquet is for you by trying a simple version of the game.
To find out more about taster sessions, introductory courses, York Croquet Club or the game of croquet, please ring the Club Secretary, Christine Morris, 07981 049174. We will be pleased to help.
