Given that London boasts 13 professional football teams; the highest number in the world, it’s probably no great surprise that there are a large number of sports related tourist attractions all over the city. However these are not just limited to football; there are several museums in London which focus on sports including cricket, rugby and tennis to name but a few. So whether you have an interest in sporting history, present day sports or just history in general, you will be sure to find something in our list which grabs your attention:
The World Rugby Museum at Twickenham
Located at Twickenham Stadium, the World Rugby Museum offers a behind-the-scenes look at this physical game as well as being home to the largest collection of rugby memorabilia in the world. There are over 25,000 objects displayed in the museum’s permanent galleries as well as a regularly changing programme of special exhibitions. As well as the memorabilia on display there are also lots of interactive activities and games to keep children (and adults) well entertained. You can have a go at being part of a scrum, try and kick a rugby ball and discover what kind of rugby player you would be as well as much more. For rugby fans we would suggest combining a visit to the museum with a tour of Twickenham Stadium which will allow you to visit the England changing room, stand in the Royal Box and walk up the player’s tunnel. Prices for museum only tickets start at £8 with combined tickets starting at £20 for an adult.
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
Wimbledon is a staple part of any British person’s summer (and not just for the delight of Pimms with strawberries and cream) so if you want the chance to learn more about the history and traditions of this very famous fortnight then a visit to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is a must. You can get up close to trophies, test your own tennis skills, learn the history of some tennis’ biggest names and enjoy the many different interactive displays. Tickets for an adult start at £11. It is also possible to book onto a tour of this famous tennis venue where you can discover how the grass is maintained, visit the Press Interview Room and walk the tennis courts too. Tours must be pre-booked and ticket prices start at £24.
Chelsea FC Museum
The Chelsea FC Museum is the largest football museum in the world and covers the 100-year history of the club, from its early beginnings right through to its current successful present. There is memorabilia, interactive games, and interesting facts about some of the key players and figures in the history and development of the club too. A trip to this museum would take about 30 minutes from Central London and would be a real treat for any Chelsea FC fan, young or old. As with the other sports museums you can also combine a visit with a tour of the stadium which will allow you to get up close with the changing rooms, the player’s tunnel, the press room and more.
The River and Rowing Museum
Set a little bit out of London in the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames you will find one of the city’s newer museums dedicated to the river rowing sport. Henley-on-Thames is the ideal location for this museum as it is the place in which the popular annual boat races between Oxford and Cambridge occur. The museum doesn’t just look at the history of rowing however, it also explores the history of the River Thames and the history of the town too. There are a number of interactive exhibits to keep children entertained such as the rowing machines and even a special Wind in the Willlows exhibition in the museum’s entrance as well. The museum has three permanent galleries: Rowing, Rivers and the history of Henley-on-Thames as well as a regularly changing programme of special events and workshops.
Marylebone Cricket Club Museum
The MCC Museum is one of the oldest sporting museums in the world and is a wonderful place to explore 400 years of cricketing history and get up close and personal to some amazing cricket memorabilia too. You can see the original Ashes urn, an artefact so fragile that it rarely leaves the museum, a stuffed sparrow from 1936 which was supposedly hit by bowler Jehangir Kahn, and enjoy paintings and pictures of some of the sport’s most recognised faces. As well as the static displays visitors can sit in the Brian Johnston Memorial Theatre and watch footage of some of the sport’s greatest performances. A visit to the museum is free for anyone holding a ticket on a major match day or those on a Lord’s stadium tour; again, this tour allows you to go behind-the-scenes of cricket and explore this famous sporting venue.
The Arsenal Museum
Located at Emirates Stadium, the Arsenal Museum is a must visit for any Arsenal supporter. Discover the history of the club, get up close with memorabilia including the likes of Charlie George’s shirt from the 1971 FA Cup Final and a customised trophy which was presented to the club following the 2003/04 season. There is also a Legends Theatre and plenty of interactive activities which are based around Arsenal’s impressive football history. You can also book a tour of the stadium which follows a similar pattern to the others mentioned here allowing you into the changing rooms, the player’s tunnel and the director’s box; one slight difference here is that the tours are often run by ‘legends’ from the club including the likes of Charlie George and Nigel Winterburn bringing an extra-special element for any Gunners fan.
Contributed by: http://www.montcalm.co.uk/
