David Lloyd's guide to Lord's, the home of cricket
Lord's hosts the second Ashes test with Australia 1-0 up against England After years of playing and
Created - 6 years ago
Lord's hosts the second Ashes test with Australia 1-0 up against England
After years of playing and commentating at Lord's, David Lloyd knows a thing or two about the home of cricket!
But, for anyone going to the ground over the next five days, what is there to experience which isn't so easy to spot on television?
From the glamour of the ground to the people and pubs surrounding it, 'Bumble' gives Sportsmail his guide to Lord's, the home of cricket, ahead of the Second Ashes Test on Wednesday.
Daily Mail columnist David Lloyd gives his guide to Lord's, the home of cricket
The ground
It's a special place, this. Lord's is the home of cricket and is particularly special for those lucky enough to play Tests here. It's a dream come true for any cricketer from around the world.
The changing rooms haven't really changed over the years. You know you're sitting where all the greats have sat through the ages and I've seen tour groups absolutely gobsmacked when they walk through the doors. There used to be a writing desk to sit at and write letters when you were out. Not sure that's there any more!
And the players' lunches are legendary. You just have to look at Mike Gatting, who's spent a lifetime here!
Jofra Archer poses for the camera in the famous 'Long Room' in the pavilion at Lord's
The people
Lord's has that unique buzz during a day's play interrupted only by the popping of champagne corks from the Grandstand that often find their way on to the ground. No chanting here and you won't see cans of beer landing on the outfield either!
Whenever I arrive it always strikes me how far round the ground the members are queuing, however early it is. And once you come through those wonderful Grace Gates there's a stampede for them to get to their favourite seats. You'll find plenty of red trousers -- and hopefully red shirts on the second day of this Test for the Ruth Strauss Foundation.
I love wandering around St John's Wood looking for blue plaques and I can tell you one has gone missing from the former residence of Billy Fury (above), Britain's answer to Elvis Presley, in Cavendish Avenue. Who's taken that? And are they halfway to paradise?
The Australia squad warm-up at Lord's with the press centre looming in the background
The pubs
The pubs are well-to-do rather than spit-and-sawdust but in my experience the best ones have to be sought out. I'd go a little further afield and you can often find me in Primrose Hill or even Hampstead.
It's a healthy walk past the zoo and across Regent's Park and you'll find a number of acceptable places like the Princess of Wales where I once had a drink with Mike Selvey and the late great Christopher Martin-Jenkins.
All was well until CMJ leaned back on his chair and went straight through the open window on to the pavement. To be fair he wasn't an imbiber either. Go to the Queens Head and the barman will tell you Liam Gallagher is a regular. But I haven't seen him once.
The restaurants
London is your oyster but look no further than Primrose Hill to dine, too. There's a real cluster of classy joints catering for all tastes. Just walk from the pubs. I like to get down to Soho too for both food and drink but I still haven't fulfilled my ambition of getting into the Groucho Club. It's members only so they won't let me in...
And another thing...
St John's Wood and the surrounding areas are great places for dog watching. And I'm talking about designer breeds. People perambulate with their pets, some of them in bags, showing off their little darlings. I'll stick to putting mine on the lead.
The England team, led by Joe Root (third from left, bottom row), are 1-0 down in the series
After years of playing and commentating at Lord's, David Lloyd knows a thing or two about the home of cricket!
But, for anyone going to the ground over the next five days, what is there to experience which isn't so easy to spot on television?
From the glamour of the ground to the people and pubs surrounding it, 'Bumble' gives Sportsmail his guide to Lord's, the home of cricket, ahead of the Second Ashes Test on Wednesday.
Daily Mail columnist David Lloyd gives his guide to Lord's, the home of cricket
The ground
It's a special place, this. Lord's is the home of cricket and is particularly special for those lucky enough to play Tests here. It's a dream come true for any cricketer from around the world.
The changing rooms haven't really changed over the years. You know you're sitting where all the greats have sat through the ages and I've seen tour groups absolutely gobsmacked when they walk through the doors. There used to be a writing desk to sit at and write letters when you were out. Not sure that's there any more!
And the players' lunches are legendary. You just have to look at Mike Gatting, who's spent a lifetime here!
Jofra Archer poses for the camera in the famous 'Long Room' in the pavilion at Lord's
The people
Lord's has that unique buzz during a day's play interrupted only by the popping of champagne corks from the Grandstand that often find their way on to the ground. No chanting here and you won't see cans of beer landing on the outfield either!
Whenever I arrive it always strikes me how far round the ground the members are queuing, however early it is. And once you come through those wonderful Grace Gates there's a stampede for them to get to their favourite seats. You'll find plenty of red trousers -- and hopefully red shirts on the second day of this Test for the Ruth Strauss Foundation.
I love wandering around St John's Wood looking for blue plaques and I can tell you one has gone missing from the former residence of Billy Fury (above), Britain's answer to Elvis Presley, in Cavendish Avenue. Who's taken that? And are they halfway to paradise?
The Australia squad warm-up at Lord's with the press centre looming in the background
The pubs
The pubs are well-to-do rather than spit-and-sawdust but in my experience the best ones have to be sought out. I'd go a little further afield and you can often find me in Primrose Hill or even Hampstead.
It's a healthy walk past the zoo and across Regent's Park and you'll find a number of acceptable places like the Princess of Wales where I once had a drink with Mike Selvey and the late great Christopher Martin-Jenkins.
All was well until CMJ leaned back on his chair and went straight through the open window on to the pavement. To be fair he wasn't an imbiber either. Go to the Queens Head and the barman will tell you Liam Gallagher is a regular. But I haven't seen him once.
The restaurants
London is your oyster but look no further than Primrose Hill to dine, too. There's a real cluster of classy joints catering for all tastes. Just walk from the pubs. I like to get down to Soho too for both food and drink but I still haven't fulfilled my ambition of getting into the Groucho Club. It's members only so they won't let me in...
And another thing...
St John's Wood and the surrounding areas are great places for dog watching. And I'm talking about designer breeds. People perambulate with their pets, some of them in bags, showing off their little darlings. I'll stick to putting mine on the lead.
The England team, led by Joe Root (third from left, bottom row), are 1-0 down in the series
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