Lord's is the home of cricket. It is an inescapable cliché, but an almost universally-accepted fact amongst fans, officials and players alike. It is the ground where teams most want to win - indeed in recent years it has often been a happy hunting ground for visiting Test teams - and where youngsters dream of making their mark.

The Marylebone Cricket Club enlisted the help of Sir Thomas Lord to find them a ground in Dorset Fields in 1787. After a spell in Regent's Park, the ground was moved to its current setting in 1814. Lord's is also the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England & Wales Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council.

Middlesex first played at the ground in 1877, with the first Test match held in 1884. England beat Australia by an innings. Over 100 years later, Graham Gooch battered the Indian attack to make a career best 333.

Lord's has had many magnificent matches, but perhaps none better than the 2000 Test against the West Indies, in which England got back into the series, dismissing the tourists for 53 before reaching their victory target with two wickets to spare in front of a roaring capacity crowd.

There are few bad seats at Lord's. If you can't get into the hallowed Pavilion (reserved for MCC members on big match days), the Grand Stand, now in its third incarnation, gives a good view square of the wicket and of the big screen for replays. Opposite, atop the Mound Stand, Father Time looks on pensively. The nursery ground, usually full of practicing players, might well be the first you see of Lord's.

The Lord's museum provides an excellent pre-match diversion (£2.50). Exhibits spanning two centuries are on display, with the Ashes taking pride of place.

Whilst fast food is widely available, stalls selling Pimms and champagne compete with burger bars in a bustling area behind the space-age Media Centre. There's a well-stocked shop behind the Mound Stand, though it is unsurprisingly packed on Test match days.

Bear in mind that although no visit to Lord's will be fruitless, if you're thinking of attending Test matches you should apply months ahead.

How to get there:

Lord's is in the leafy suburb of St. John's Wood, an affluent part of London. It is bordered by St John's Wood Road to the south, Wellington Road to the east, Grove End Road to the west, and Wellington Place to the north.

Parking is not easy, and those brave enough to drive to Lord's on a big match-day are advised to leave early. Otherwise there is (very limited) street parking available, the area around Abbey Road (ten minutes walk from the ground) sometimes has early spaces. Because of that, the ground is best reached by spectators using public transport via the London Underground or one of several bus services.

The nearest Underground station is St John's Wood on the Jubilee Line (five minutes' walk north of the ground). It is also possible to go on the Bakerloo Line to Warwick Avenue or Maida Vale, though this involves a longer walk from the west.

The best deals are often by coach. National Express (www.nationalexpress.co.uk) stops at Victoria Street bus station and offers remarkably good value. Other companies may stop at Marble Arch, next to the Tube. A quicker, but more expensive route into London is by train (National Rail Enquiries 08457484950). Paddington, Kings Cross and Victoria stations all have underground connections. The nearest Underground station is St. John's Wood, follow the throng of spectators from the station. A single from central London to St. John's Wood costs £1.90. Lord's is also well served by bus. Buses 13, 82, 113, 139 and 182 stop at the ground, although timetables can change.