The Oval is one of England's two great cricket grounds, home of Surrey County Cricket Club since 1845. It hosts Test matches (the highest level of international cricket) and county cricket throughout the summer season, from April to September.
For first-time cricket watchers, a county match is a gentler introduction than a Test: less crowded, cheaper tickets, and the pace of the game allows you to follow the action and buy a pint in the same motion. Test matches here — usually one per summer — are major occasions and book up far in advance.
The ground is a ten-minute walk from Oval tube station (Northern Line).