Lord's
Cricket
Test
London
Score:
59
Overview
Lord’s is a very particular international cricket venue. To enjoy it to the full, you need to embrace its
idiosyncrasies. It isn’t a rowdy venue. It does not permit fancy dress, the waving of large flags, or the playing of musical instruments in its stands. It requires the wearing of a tailored jacket and tie (or cravat) for men and formal wear for women in its pavilion, and, for non-members, the paying of £150+ just to get through the gates. It also allows you to bring in a generous quantity of food and booze, as well as the opportunity to soak up some of cricket’s most iconic views with its pavilion and imposing media centre. It is home to a fantastic museum, where one can see, amongst other artefacts, the original Ashes urn. If you can get in, its pavilion contains some stunning works of cricketing art. The ‘Lord’s hum’, the susurration of humanity that soundtracks all its Test matches has a unique timbre, unmistakably different from the collective sound of spectators at all other grounds. Thanks to the curious effects of that hum, you’ll experience a pleasant kind of contentment punctuated by moments of euphoria when big scores are made, improbable shots are pulled off, and wickets tumble.
Score Summaries
Atmosphere & Experience: 9
Lean into the general air of poshness that pervades the place and it’s hard not to have a good time at Lord’s. You might – justifiably - wince at the price, but there’s no denying that it feels enjoyably decadent to sip champagne in the sun while folk in whites toil away with that venerable pavilion and Old Father Time looking down on them. Lord’s is steeped in history and even those with only the most passing interest in the story of the game should take the time to explore the MCC museum housed on site. There is no denying that this is a very particular kind of atmosphere. You won’t find raucousness, chanting, or the kind of screaming emotion that fuels the enjoyment of so many sporting venues. Instead you’ll find something a little slower, a general sense that this is a day out to be savoured. This is an opportunity to take time out of the hubbub of everyday existence and enjoy that, for a few all-too-brief hours, you’re a party to a small fraction of the storied history of this special place.
Seats: 8
Renovations around the ground in recent years now mean there are very few seats with restricted
views. Seats in the rebuilt Compton and Edrich stands are comfortably padded and offer a relatively generous amount of legroom. You’ll also have an impressive view of the ground’s iconic pavilion, providing a truly unique backdrop to the on-field action. Side on views from the Grand, Mound, and Tavern Stands are less impressive but still unrestricted. The only real drawback is the price. At £150+ for most seats, you’ll be paying significantly more than at most other Test grounds around the UK.
Catering: 9
Lord’s provides a fantastic variety of food and drink that caters to all palates. The outdoor food
area at the Nursery End of the ground has a particularly wide selection of cuisines on offer. The ground’s many bars offer a much wider, and higher quality, selection of drinks than you’ll find at the vast majority of venues. Unlike many stadiums, you can also bring your own booze (within limits) and food should you wish.
Facilities: 9
Abundant, modern, and well-kept.
Getting There: 8
Enjoy the walk from Baker Street. Avoid going to St. John’s Wood Station. If coming from anywhere between Waterloo and Oxford Circus and you have plenty of time, consider taking the bus. If you’re new to London, the 139 in particular will take you from Waterloo past many famous sights on your way to the ground.
Getting Away: 7
Fairly straightforward, just likely to be quite a bit busier than your journey there. St. John’s Wood Station is best avoided.
Weekend Potential: 9
Lord’s gets marked down slightly here because it’s extremely expensive. A decent seat will set you back around £175/day at the time of writing (2026), with a minimum entry price of £100 for a spot with a restricted view. That being said, Lord’s is rightfully regarded as one of the premier venues in Test cricket and it should absolutely be on any fan’s sporting bucket list. Now your credit card statement is looking intimidating, it’s time to engage in appropriately avoidant behaviour and start planning how you’re going to spend even more money outside the ground. Look no further than the 139 bus route as it heads deeper into north-west London:
Hungry before the start of play? Try London Coffee Bank a mere four stops further up Abbey Road.
Craving something south-east Asian for dinner? Head further along the route and get a table at Took Took in West Hampstead.
Want some post-play drinks? Pass Took Took and go two stops further into West Hampstead and try Bobby Fitzpatrick for amazing cocktails in a kitsch, 70s setting. Or, if cocktails aren’t your thing, then the Wolfpack bar further up the road is a good spot for a few pints.
Expecting a long rain delay and need something to pass the time? The same bus stop for the bars mentioned above is also right next to West End Lane Books, a charming local bookshop where you’ll find a wide range of titles.
Want to be spoiled for dinner choices? Go right to the end of the route in Golders Green, where your correspondent’s personal favourite food spots include Pita (home of what is probably London’s best falafel), Eat Tokyo (slightly cramped, always chaotic, but perennially delicious Japanese food), Likya (hearty Turkish dishes in a friendly setting), and Tofu Vegan (admittedly not as atmospheric as its sister location in Angel, but home to an extensive menu of vegan-friendly versions of classic Chinese dishes often inaccessible to non-meat eaters, such as xiaolongbao, gong bao ‘chicken’, and mouthwatering ‘chicken’. Make sure you get the silken tofu in savoury sauce).