Saxton Oval Stadium
International cricket ground in Nelson hosting major matches
Cricket ground in Nelson hosting domestic and occasional international matches; visitors come for games, the local sporting atmosphere and views of surrounding hills.
Saxton Oval at a Glance#
Address: Saxton Road, Stoke, Nelson, New Zealand
About Saxton Oval#
Saxton Oval is a purpose-built cricket ground in the Saxton Field sports complex near Nelson in New Zealand’s South Island. The ground hosts domestic first-class cricket and has staged international fixtures, particularly women’s internationals and age-group matches.
The venue includes a pavilion, practice nets and temporary and permanent spectator areas that are configured to suit the match level and expected crowd. Saxton Oval is used year-round for local and regional cricket and for larger scheduled events when Nelson hosts representative matches.
The ground lies in the Richmond/Stoke area just outside Nelson city, within the broader Tasman/Nelson urban region on the northern coast of the South Island.
- Role: Located within the Saxton Field sports complex near Stoke and Richmond, it is Nelson’s primary cricket venue for domestic first-class and international women’s matches.
- Facilities: Facilities include a pavilion, practice nets and spectator stands; larger international fixtures usually require advance booking for seating.
How to Get to Saxton Oval#
Saxton Oval sits off Saxton Road in Stoke, about 4-5 km north of Nelson city center. It’s a 10-15 minute drive from central Nelson; local buses (Nelson Coachlines/Intercity connections and regional routes) stop within a short walk of Saxton Field. There is ample parking on-site for match days.
Tips for Visiting Saxton Oval#
- If attending a domestic cricket match, buy tickets in advance from the Nelson cricket association website; for practice sessions the ground is often open to spectators.
- Walk the perimeter car park on Saxton Road for good vantage points and picnic spots - the long straight boundary gives excellent sightlines.
- Check local weather; wind off Tasman Bay can influence late-afternoon matches and make the outfield feel colder than central Nelson.
Best Time to Visit Saxton Oval#
Best visited during New Zealand's cricket season (spring-summer) for matches and the liveliest atmosphere.
Weather & Climate near Saxton Oval#
Saxton Oval's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 3°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1141 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 13° - 22° | 18° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 5.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.6h |
| February | Excellent | 13° - 22° | 18° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 5.8 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.5h |
| March | Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 5.3 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.2h |
| April | Very Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.8h |
| May | Good | 6° - 15° | 10° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 4.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| June | Good | 3° - 13° | 5° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 91% | 4.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.1h |
| July | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 5° | 107 mm | partly cloudy | 90% | 4.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| August | Acceptable | 4° - 13° | 6° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 4.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.4h |
| September | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 11° | 121 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 5.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.7h |
| October | Good | 8° - 17° | 12° | 135 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 5.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.1h |
| November | Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 5.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.3h |
| December | Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 79 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 5.2 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.9h |