Two Major Attractions in London

Are you a cricket fan? This could be just the thing for you!

A tour around what is called the 'home of cricket', Lords Cricket Ground, gives amazing insight into the game's almost legendary headquarters. This is also where the Marylebone Cricket Club, the MCC, and the England Cricket Board are based.

Each tour, following an expert guide, takes ninety minutes and begins in the MCC Museum. You then process through the famous Pavilion to the well-known Long Room, which boasts panoramic views of the famous pitch and many portraits of the game's most-distinguished players. The Honours Boards in the dressing rooms reveals the most historic batting and bowling that has taken place here over the years.

The tour also covers the Tennis Court, the Cricket School and many of this famous ground's outstanding features: including the Grandstand, the new Mound Stand and the famous and controversial, yet futuristic, Media Centre (which is one of the "The Fifty Best Buildings in Britain"). You also have the chance to enjoy shopping for exclusive souvenirs at the shop, where the tour finishes.

You can book your visit on the day or well in advance, and specialist individual tours are also possible: for example, educational tours can always be tailored to meet the needs of school curricula, or architectural tours can be designed to concentrate on the buildings.

The MCC Museum, which is the starting point of the tour, is the world's oldest museum devoted to sport! Here you will find a marvellous range of exhibits, not least the world-famous Ashes urn. There are kits worn by some of the most famous players of all time, including Victor Trumper, Shane Warne, Jack Hobbs, and Don Bradman.

Many of the exhibits are as old as the 19th Century: you can enjoy the sight of old photographs and other cricketing memorabilia in the museum, where you will also find the Brian Johnston Memorial Theatre, a venue which plays some of the greatest moments in the history of the sport.

Special exhibitions are also on offer form time to time. The tours proceed daily at 10.00, 12.00 and 14.00 (although they do not go on match days and around the time of major fixtures). Only the early tour goes into the Pavilion. Marylebone Cricket Club, based at the famous Lord's Cricket Ground, can be found in St John's Wood, NW8 8QN Phone: 020 7616 8595

The Arsenal FC Museum and Tour

Arsenal FC was formed in 1886, and turned professional in 1891. After 93 years, Highbury has now been replaced by the new Emirates stadium.

You can visit this amazing venue and get a wonderful and informative view of the stadium that even the most ardent supporters rarely see.

A tour will let you visit the players' tunnel and the most amazing part of the club: the first team dressing room! The tour also takes in the plush Directors' Box, the site of many amusing incidents, the Press Conference Room, and the famous Arsenal Museum. You'll even be able to go onto the hallowed pitch and see the facilities close up.

For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you can book a Legends Tour. You'll be taken around the ground by a retired Arsenal player, who can tell you all about his experiences and views of the current team, relate stories of his days on the team, and offer a profound insight into how professional football is played at this high level. To make this even more memorable and note-worthy, you'll also receive a signed picture and a Legends Tour gift.

Tours can, as you might expect, be booked in advance: group bookings are also available. If you wish you can buy a gift voucher for the whole tour, and this lets you choose when to visit.

The Arsenal Museum includes many excellent things to see, including Charlie George's Cup Final shirt and medals from 1971, shirts and caps once owned by David O'Leary, and other well known characters such as Messrs Lee Dixon and Brian Marwood.

As you may know, this famous club was unbeaten in the 2003-2004 season and the trophy presented to them by the Football Association is on view. Last but not least you can see sections of the tour based on the history of this famous London sporting club.

Open from Monday-Friday 10.00-18.00, Saturday 11.00-18.00, Sunday 10.00-17.00. The opening hours are more limited on match days. Arsenal Football Club, Highbury House, 75 Drayton Park, N5 1BU Phone: 020 7704 4504

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