The Oval

The Oval has hosted a number of historically significant sporting events including the first game in the 1868 Aboriginal cricket tour (the first cricket match in England by a touring foreign side), England’s first international football match (against Scotland) in 1870 and in 1880 it was the first ground in England to host a test match (and the second in the world after the MCG in 1877).

It is noted as the birthplace of The Ashes and it also claims to be the world’s first stadium with artificial lighting.

What to see at The Oval

While it may not be quite significant as Lord’s, The Oval is easily England’s second-most historically significant cricket ground and it is well worth a visit if you’re a cricket fan.

While most people visit The Oval to watch a cricket match, there are guided stadium tours that let you see behind the scenes and allow you to discover parts of the stadium that you wouldn’t get to see as a regular visitor.

Guided tours allow you to visit the commentary boxes, the Member’s Pavilion, the Peter May Stand, the Committee Room and the Club Museum. Tours conclude with tea and coffee overlooking the outfield.

Visiting The Oval

The Oval is in Kennington in south London. It is close to the Beefeater Gin Distillery, which is less than a 10-minute walk away.

Tours depart from the John Edrich Gate at the Pavilion End of the ground. From here it is only a two-minute walk to Oval tube station (in zone one on the Northern line).

In most instances, tours operate on Thursday to Saturday (with some Sunday tours) during summer and every Friday and Saturday (with some Thursday and Sunday tours) during winter. Tours usually do not run when international cricket matches are taking place.

Tours are free if you have a London Pass.

Tours take around 90 minutes and you’re advised to arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour departs.

If you enjoyed a visit to the Oval, you should also consider tours of Lord’s Cricket Ground as well as Headingley Stadium in Leeds. If you’re a cricket fan planning to visit Leeds or Manchester, the Headingley Lodge has rooms overlooking the ground at Headingley Stadium and the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Old Trafford has rooms with balconies directly overlooking the pitch of Manchester’s Old Trafford cricket ground.