The Oval — Attraction in London

The Oval, currently named for sponsorship reasons as the Kia Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, located in the borough of Lambeth, in south London. The Oval has been the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club since it was opened in 1845.It was the first ground in England to host international Test cricket in September 1880.The final Test match of the English season is traditionally played there.In addition to cricket, The Oval has hosted a number of other historically significant sporting events. In 1870, it staged the first representative football match between England and Scotland, although this is not deemed to be an official international by FIFA. It hosted the first FA Cup final in 1872, as well as those between 1874and 1892.In 1876, it held both the England v. Wales and England v. Scotland rugby international matches and, in 1877, rugby's first varsity match.It also hosted the finals of the 2004 & 2017 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final.The Oval is built on part of the former Kennington Common. Cricket matches were played on the common throughout the early 18th century. The earliest recorded match was the London v Dartford match in June 1724. However, as the common was also used regularly for public executions of those convicted at the Surrey Assizes (it was the south London equivalent of Tyburn), cricket matches had moved away to the Artillery Ground by the 1740s. Kennington Common was eventually enclosed in the mid-19th century under a scheme sponsored by the royal family. In 1844, the site of the Kennington Oval was a cabbage patch and market garden owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. The Duchy was willing to lease the land for the purpose of a cricket ground, and on 10 March 1845 the first lease, which the club later assumed, was issued to Mr. William Houghton (then president of the progenitor Montpelier Cricket Club) by the Otter Trustees who held the land from the Duchy "to convert it into a subscription cricket ground", for 31 years at a rent of £120 per annumplus taxes amounting to £20. The original contract for turfing The Oval cost £300;the 10,000 grass turfs came from Tooting Common and were laid in the spring of 1845 allowing for the first cricket match to be played in May 1845. Hence, Surrey County Cricket Club (SCCC) was established in 1845.The north-western end of The Oval is traditionally known as the Vauxhall End, as it is nearer to the district of Vauxhall and its railway station. The opposite end (south-east) is known as the Pavilion End as it is the location of the Members' Pavilion.The ground has also hosted other sporting events and also music concerts.On 18 September 1971, a day-long rock concert was held at The Oval to raise funds for famine relief in war-torn Bangladesh. Featuring The Faces and headlined by The Who, a crowd of over 40,000 people attended, with the stage sited at the Vauxhall End. The following year, two more successful concerts were held; the first featuring Frank Zappa and Hawkwind, the second featuring Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Genesis.The Oval has hosted exhibition matches for Australian rules football. The first such match was held between Carlton and a team of All-Stars in 1972. In 1987, the Oval hosted what became known as the Battle of Britain between Carlton and North Melbourne, which included numerous fights and future multiple AFL Premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, at the time only a teenager, breaking Ian Aitken's jaw. In 2005, a record crowd for Australian rules football in England (18,884) saw Fremantle defeat the West Coast Eagles in the Western Derby (thus far, the only edition of the fixture to not be played in Perth). In 2012, approximately 10,000 attended a post-season exhibition match between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, which Port Adelaide won by 1 point.In 2011, ahead of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium, the Chicago Bears used The Oval as a practice facility.As well as being an international sporting venue, The Oval has a conference and...

Paid £260 each for hospitality had to send this email the next day.

We are very disappointed with the hospitality experience yesterday in the India Room. Your description of the event is at the very least misleading. The food, drinks, level of service and general amenities of the venue are not what we expected for the price paid.

Whilst a buffet lunch was provided one chicken or vegetarian option was a very poor choice and it was metered out by the staff. We were happy to have this on the terrace at the tables provided however we did not expect to have to sit down with strangers to dine later. We attended as a couple and were fully given the impression that we would have a sit-down two course meal at our own table. There was only a chicken or lentil option for dinner which was merely a wetter version of the dry chicken we had for lunch. We felt like we were at a corporate event rather than a premium day out watching the cricket.

There was not a selection of premium beers available just ​Brooklyn beer and cider which we do not consider to be premium and don’t like. Drinking Guinness in a warm plastic glass is also not a premium experience. Only a mediocre house white and red wine was offered in a plastic cup, which also was not good enough.

Whilst the staff were pleasant and polite the level of service was disappointing. I had to clear my table myself after lunch and expected to be served my dinner at a table for two not shared with strangers.

The general amenities and atmosphere were very poor. Overall we felt isolated from the cricket experience,. Heating should have been provided on the terrace where the view was inferior to the cheaper seats in the stadium. We could not see the television screen properly or hear what was going on. When in the ‘meeting room’ we were totally isolated from the action. At the very least a TV could have been provided to...

Are you a cricket enthusiast looking for the perfect spot to witness the game in all its glory? Look no further than the Oval Cricket Stadium! Nestled just a stone's throw away from the Oval tube station, this breathtaking stadium is a true marvel of design and planning.

Location: The Oval Cricket Stadium is conveniently located within walking distance from the Oval tube station. Hop on the Northern Line and alight at Kennington station, and you'll find yourself just a short stroll away from this cricketing paradise.

Impeccable Design: As you step foot inside the Oval Cricket Stadium, prepare to be captivated by its impeccable design. The stadium has been meticulously crafted to offer an unrivaled viewing experience, ensuring that every seat in the house provides an excellent vantage point of the action. It used to be a jail during 1945.

Museum Marvel: But wait, there's more! The stadium is home to an extraordinary museum, accessible from the members' area. Take a deep dive into the rich history of cricket and immerse yourself in the sport's captivating heritage. From legendary players to iconic moments, this museum is a treasure trove of cricketing knowledge.

Plan Your Visit: Whether you're a seasoned cricket fan or simply curious about the sport, a visit to the Oval Cricket Stadium is an absolute must. Immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of live cricket matches, explore the museum's fascinating exhibits, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

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