Tidworth Oval
Athletics and running track in Tidworth
Tidworth Oval serves runners, clubs and schools around Tidworth, Wiltshire. You'll find it at Bulford Road, Tidworth, SP9 7SB. Access is restricted, so check with the operator or a resident club before turning up. No club is currently listed as training here. If you know of one, you can add it from this page. It has floodlighting, so winter evening sessions are on. Facilities, lane count, surface and charges are all listed below, along with any upcoming events, so you can work out whether it suits the session you have in mind before travelling.
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Opening times, charges and contact details
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Facilities at Tidworth Oval
1x high jump bed
2x pole vault runways
2x long jump pits
1x shot put circle
2x discus cages
1x hammer cage
2x javelin runways
Inside track, height adjustable
Full in new pavilion
196 covered
More about Tidworth Oval
A track, owned by the Army, has existed here since at least 1910 as it is depicted on an OS map of the period. In those days it appeared to be 440y all round but the home straight was at least 220y long with extensions at each end and much wider than the rest of track. Unlike now, the back straight was on the other side of the River Bourne and the map shows that the back straight was reached by means of two footbridges which formed part of the track! The map also shows that there was a pavilion but this was further north of the current covered stand and directly opposite the police station. Comparing old and new maps, the River Bourne was diverted at some point and now runs much closer to the main road (called Park Road) and around the track. The track was clearly rebuilt as a more standard 440y oval later on and the back straight pushed over closer to Park Road which might have coincided with the river being diverted. The northern extension of the home straight was retained, presumably to allow for 120yH / 110mH races but not the southern one. Until 1999 the track was cinder with 6 lanes all round and a 7 lane straight and was used for meetings until 1998. It became rather rutted and overgrown and was unusable during the 1999 season. Work began on upgrading it to an 8 lane all round Amtrack SP synthetic track in about October 1999. Just the track opened in October 2000 as there were initially problems with the infield. The track became fully available for use on 1st November 2001 when the infield was licensed. City of Salisbury A & RC had started holding training sessions here on 16th October 2001 although no longer seem to do so. There is also an Electronic Scoreboard and Photofinish equipment. The covered stand which, prior to the upgrade, was largely derelict has been rebuilt. Kennet District Council obtained a lottery grant for new changing facilities and for the Nuffield clubhouse at the track and so it is thought that the public will be able to use the track although it is still owned by the Army. The main contractor was Ballast Wiltshier who also built the nearby Tidworth Leisure Centre, Nadder Road, TIDWORTH, SP9 7QN on behalf of the local council and the Army which opened in September 2000. Tidworth only exists as a postal town and consists of North Tidworth and South Tidworth. It is unclear which of the two the track is actually in although North Tidworth is the larger of the two.
Common questions about Tidworth Oval
Can anyone use Tidworth Oval?
Access to Tidworth Oval is restricted, so check with the operator or a club that trains there before you go.
When is Tidworth Oval open?
Tidworth Oval has no public opening times. The note on record says: No public times.
How much does it cost to use Tidworth Oval?
Charges on record for Tidworth Oval: No casual use tickets. Hire charges on application.
What surface is Tidworth Oval, and how many lanes does it have?
Tidworth Oval is a 400m synthetic running track with 8 lanes.
Does Tidworth Oval have floodlights?
Yes. Tidworth Oval has floodlighting, so evening sessions are possible through the winter.
Is Tidworth Oval a certified athletics track?
Not as far as we know. The full certificate on file for Tidworth Oval expired on 30 April 2007, so treat times run there as unofficial unless the venue confirms a newer one.
What field event facilities does Tidworth Oval have?
Tidworth Oval has a high jump bed, 2 pole vault runways, 2 long jump pits, a triple jump pit, a shot put circle, 2 discus cages, a hammer cage, 2 javelin runways and a steeplechase water jump (inside track, height adjustable).
Does Tidworth Oval have changing rooms?
Yes. Tidworth Oval has full changing facilities in the new pavilion.
Where is Tidworth Oval?
Tidworth Oval is at Bulford Road, Tidworth, SP9 7SB.
What other running tracks are near Tidworth Oval?
The nearest other running tracks to Tidworth Oval are Bulford Camp Track in Amesbury Road (4.3 miles), Charlton Athletic Track in Andover (6.8 miles) and Salisbury Athletics Track in Salisbury (12 miles).
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