Lord's Cricket Ground
Tour the Home of Cricket — Lord's guided tours include the Long Room, MCC Museum with the original Ashes urn, and the iconic Media Centre
Tour the Home of Cricket — Lord's guided tours include the Long Room, MCC Museum with the original Ashes urn, and the iconic Media Centre
Lord's has been the "Home of Cricket" since 1814, headquarters of the Marylebone Cricket Club — the body that wrote the Laws of Cricket — and England's premier Test venue. A guided tour is a walk through two centuries of sporting history.
The 31,000-seat ground is as celebrated for its architecture as its cricket. The futuristic Media Centre hovers above the Nursery End while the Victorian Pavilion houses the famous Long Room. The MCC Museum, the world's oldest sporting museum, holds the Ashes urn.
Guided tours last approximately 100 minutes, led by expert guides steeped in cricket history. Starting at the Grace Gates, the route takes in the Long Room, players' dressing rooms (when accessible), the Media Centre and the MCC Museum. The Long Room is the undisputed highlight — a grand first-floor room stretching the full width of the Pavilion, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pitch. On match days, players walk through here past MCC members in their egg-and-bacon ties to reach the field. Portraits line the walls from W.G. Grace to Sachin Tendulkar. Check the Lord's website before booking, as certain areas close for renovation.
The MCC Museum is the world's oldest sporting museum. Its centrepiece is the original Ashes urn, a terracotta vessel just 11 centimetres tall, presented to England captain Ivo Bligh during the 1882–83 tour of Australia. The urn never leaves Lord's — even when the Ashes are played in Australia, a Waterford Crystal replica is used. Beyond the Ashes, the collection spans over 400 years: bats used by Don Bradman and W.G. Grace, the first Men's and Women's Cricket World Cup trophies, and cricketing art dating to the 18th century. The museum also charts the social history of cricket, from its spread through the Empire to the rise of the women's game.
Lord's is a striking collision of eras — the 1890 Victorian Pavilion at one end, the aluminium-clad Media Centre at the other. Designed by Future Systems and opened in 1999, the Media Centre won the RIBA Stirling Prize and remains one of world sport's most distinctive structures. The playing surface features the famous Lord's slope, a gradient of roughly 2.5 metres from the Grandstand side to the Tavern side that affects bowling and fielding. Bowlers from the Pavilion End get extra movement, making it a tactical talking point for generations. If your visit coincides with a match day, the atmosphere transforms. Match-day tickets grant museum access but not the guided tour, so plan separate visits.
Tour price includes entry to the MCC Museum. The museum is also accessible on match days with a valid match ticket. Student tickets are available at £18 with valid ID. Private group tours can be arranged via the Tours Office.
Tours during the cricket season from April to September are the most popular and often sell out. Book online several weeks ahead, especially for weekend slots.
Certain parts of the ground close periodically for renovation or event preparation. The Lord's website lists exactly which areas are included on each tour date, so check before booking.
The tour covers a lot of ground over 100 minutes, including stairs and outdoor sections. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a layer for cooler days, as some areas are open to the elements.
The ground's shop near the Grace Gates stocks an excellent range of cricket equipment, books, clothing and memorabilia. It is open to visitors on tour days and match days.
Lord's is a short walk from the southern edge of Regent's Park. After your tour, head north along Wellington Road for a stroll through one of London's finest green spaces.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: February 28, 2026
