The ground is situated on the A202, near the junction where it the A3 just south of Vauxhall Bridge. It is also a five to ten-minute car journey drive from Victoria and Waterloo railway stations. By Underground – Take the Northern Line from the City or Central London to the Oval tube station. The main entrance to the ground is 150 metres on your left on leaving the station. The ground is also a ten-minute walk from Vauxhall tube station which is on the Victoria line. By Rail – Take South West Trains to Vauxhall station which is a short walk from the ground. The station is well served by trains from throughout Surrey and Hampshire as well as from Clapham Junction and Waterloo. Public transport from Vauxhall station: Buses to the Brit Oval (36, 436 and 185) run from the terminus just outside station, as indeed they do from outside Victoria station. Further away the 36 and 436 also run from and to Paddington station.

Ground Facilities

Now the OCS Stand has been built, there is limited car parking spaces for the press at the Vauxhall End of the ground. These must be booked in advance with Sam Streatfeild (07818-437514). If Sam cannot be contacted, try Ben Green (07799-071335). If there are no spaces left at the Brit Oval, free parking on weekdays can often be found in Bolton Crescent (close to Kennington Park, just off Camberwell New Road). Beware! On major match days one of the allocated car parks is INSIDE the Congestion Charge zone, entry to which now costs £8 per day. The new press box, which is on the first floor of the OCS Stand (via the Debenture Holders’ entrance), holds up to 70 writers. The press box has four rows of banked seating with more available outside. Wireless internet access (which has been paid for by Brit insurance) is now available on all match days – simply contact Martin Oakley (by phoning Sam Streatfeild) to obtain the necessary set-up information and password. Name and number of PA contact/local paper contact: The Press Association contacts for Surrey are Adam Hathaway (07921-264525) and Stuart Weatherhead (07717-038008). The local newspaper contacts are Marcus Hook (Croydon Advertiser, 07941-226694) and Richard Spiller (Surrey Advertiser, 07971-576698). Name of scorer (Rating out of 10 for helpfulness): 8/10. Surrey ’s 1st XI scorer is Keith Booth (020-7793-7646 on match days). The 2nd XI scorer is Jennifer Booth, Keith’s good lady wife. Name of PR contact: Sam Streatfeild (for general matters, e.g. catering, lockers etc., 07818-437514) and Nathan Ross (for player interviews, 07903-045323). Telecom arrangements in box: Each of the national dailies and PA have permanent phone lines in the press box. Additional lines can be installed by British Telecom. BT will bill direct, but requests MUST go through Sam Streatfeild first. Power arrangements in box: Two 13 amp plug sockets per desk. Additional information: The biggest drawback with the new press box is that it feels as if you are encased in a hermetically-sealed environment. On county days it is not possible to hear what is going on outside, plus there is a tendency for the press box to be on the cold side; which means having to take a jumper with you even on a hot day. Also, if a corporate event is taking place in the OCS Stand on the day of a game, the public address feed into the press box will be turned off; thus denying the press the chance of hearing the dulcet tones of Brian Raine.

 Refreshments

Food/drink arrangements in the press box: A refreshments area is situated behind the press box. Tea, coffee and mineral water are available all day, and these are supplemented by sandwiches, soup and fresh fruit at lunchtime. (Catering for the press is laid on courtesy of Oval Events and Brit Insurance.). Local boozers for lunch time relief: The best pubs close to the Brit Oval are the Beehive (on the corner of Durham Road and Harleyford Road) at the Vauxhall End of the ground; while, at the Pavilion End, there are the Hanover Arms and the Greyhound, which are virtually next door to one another in Kennington Road (from the main entrance, go to the underground station and turn right). Local sandwich bars/delis/ supermarkets: Now that the press are based at the Vauxhall End, the best bet is the Tesco’s which is a five-minute walk away, in Kennington Lane (from the Alec Stewart gates, head toward the gasholders, turn left into Oval Way – where the no entry signs are – and at the end of there you will see Tesco’s on your right). Henri’s sandwich shop and deli (Claylands Road), which served the press so superbly for a number of years re-opened in June 2005, but since Henri is no longer the proprietor, so it promptly closed again.

Accommodation

4 STARS: City Inn, John Islip Street, London, SW1P 4QP (Tel 020 7630 5447) (1.4miles from the Brit Oval); Dolphin Square, Chichester Street, SW1V 3LX (Tel 020 7798 8890) (1.5 miles); Hesperia Hotel Victoria, 2 Bridge Place, SW1V 1QA (Tel 020 7802 8782) (1.9 miles); Windermere Hotel, 142-144 Warwick Way, SW1V 4JE (Tel 020 7834 5163) (1.9 miles). 3 STARS: Comfort Inn, 8 St.George’s Drive, SW1V 4BJ (Tel 020 7834 2988) (2.0 miles); Days Inn Westminster, 80-86 Belgrave Road, SW1V 2BJ (Tel 020 7828 8661) (1.5 miles); Elizabeth Hotel, 37 Eccleston Square, SW1V 1PB (Tel 020 7828 6812) (2.0 miles); Express by Holiday Inn Victoria, 106-110 Belgrave Road, SW1V 2BJ (Tel 08704-009068) (1.5 miles); Novotel London Waterloo, 113 Lambeth Road, SE1 7LS (Tel 020 7793 1010) (1.4 miles).

Leisure

Kennington Lane Restaurant & Bar (0207793 8313), Kennington Tandoori (020 7735 9247), Rhodes in the Square (020 7798 6767) or take a bus or tube up to the bright lights of London’s West End.

ESSENTIALS FOR ALL MEDIA which this year is only available as a Memory stick from the Media Manager

Accreditation

Domestic Matches: All media should have an ECB Domestic media pass or a temporary Surrey Media Pass. All media pass requests should be sent in advance to a member of the Surrey media team via email.

International Matches: All media accreditation needs to be requested from the ECB in advance of the event. The contact at the ECB is Maria O'Donnohue.

Accredited media are allowed to access all media areas. If access is required to other areas of the ground prior approval is needed from the Surrey media team.

Entry to the Brit Oval

For all games, gates and turnstiles open two hours before the start of play and an hour before for domestic games. All media areas will be open at least two hours before gates open. All media areas will be locked two hours after the close of play. If any members of the media require access prior to the media areas being opened please contact a member of the Surrey media team. On non-match days, all media facilities will be locked so please contact a member of the Surrey media team for access.

Since the vast majority of media areas are in the OCS Stand, it is recommended that you enter through the Alec Stewart Gate. Access is gained via the Debenture/Media Entrance at the back of the OCS Stand. You will be required to show suitable accreditation.

In case of an emergency members of the media will be guided by stewards. If it is necessary to leave the building, the media must do so quickly, not stopping to collect personal belongings. Please check the Ground Regulations at the back of this booklet.

Interview Requests

All interview requests regarding the Surrey team on and off the field need to be directed to the Surrey media team.

Any interview requests regarding the England team and set-up, need to go through the ECB.

Media Parking

Parking is very restricted, for both International and Domestic games. There are a limited number of spaces at the Vauxhall End for domestic games. For International cricket and major domestic games parking is off site. Applications for parking should be made to the Surrey media team in advance of the fixture via email. The spaces are handed out on a first come, first served basis. The car parks used are within walking distance of the ground, but please note the Vauxhall School car park is in the Congestion Charge zone. The Congestion Charge zone runs from: 7:00am - 6:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding Public Holidays. Traffic signs will make it very clear exactly where the charging zone is.

OCS Stand

We advise all media using the OCS Stand to access the ground via the Alec Stewart Gate at the Vauxhall End of the ground. To then access the media areas within the OCS Stand the media/debenture entrance, not the main OCS Stand reception, is to be used. There is air conditioning in all media areas within the OCS Stand. This is controlled centrally, and for it to be changed, please contact a member of the Surrey media team.

On Duty Media Officer

Please contact a member of the Surrey media team in order to find out which person is on duty. Alternatively please see the notice board in the Sydney Pardon press box.

Press Lounge

The Press lounge is located on the first floor of the OCS Stand. All media catering will be provided from this area courtesy of Brit Insurance and the OCS Group. For all International games, the catering is supplied by npower or the ECB.

Wi-Fi

Club and Ground sponsors Brit Insurance have installed Wi-Fi within the Brit Oval. Access is strictly controlled and users will require a username and password. Any media with queries regarding Wi-Fi should contact a member of the Surrey media team.

For those who don’t have Wi-Fi access, Brit Insurance has installed computers for general use but if an individual is not using them they will be tuned into the BBC London live commentary. 

Photograhers

All photographers are advised to enter the ground through the Alec Stewart Gate.

Access onto the pitch is from the gate in front of the Bedser Stand, from the Peter May gap and from either side of the sight screen in the OCS Stand.Photography Positions

Photographers cannot sit in any of the seating terraces without prior permission from a member of the Surrey media team.

Photographers should be aware that it is possible to block some spectator views from the Pavilion End locations. This must be avoided by photographers by collaborating with the stewards.

Photographers can shoot from the two photographers pits at the Vauxhall End and on the outfield behind the perimeter advertising boards at the Pavilion End as long as they are not blocking any access gates or spectator views. Photographers should check with the nearest steward and ask spectators if they are happy for them to be there. If photographers want access to different areas or to position remote cameras they should contact the Surrey media team or the nearest pitch security steward.Media Bibs

All cameramen and photographers must wear green media bibs, which will allow them access to their positions on the outfield. Green media bibs only allow access to the playing field in conjunction with appropriate accreditation checked by stewards. Green bibs can be applied for from the Surrey media team who will give you a numbered bib. This bib needs to be returned at the end of the match.

Wire Room

The photographers wire room is located on the ground floor of the OCS Stand. It can be accessed either from the pitch by the doors to the side of the Vauxhall End site screen or via the Lambeth Hall in the public concourse behind the main terrace of seats in the OCS Stand. The room has a Wi-Fi access point, power and telephone lines (if installed independently). The access code is available on request.

Drop Off Locations

Photographers can drop off items at the Hobbs Gate at the Pavilion End, and the Alec Stewart Gate at the Vauxhall End. Stewards will be able to hold items for a limited period of time. All items and people entering the ground are subject to a full search. Any items left at the drop off points are left at the owner’s risk and the Club will accept no responsibility for any damage or loss to these items. If the item is not picked up, the property will be held with lost property.

Lockers

Lockers are available on request from the Surrey media team and located in the Sydney Pardon Press Box on the 1st floor of the OCS Stand.

Leave the A3 at the main Guildford Town Centre exit. For those travelling west when they come off the A3, turn left at the bottom of the hill and then turn immediately right at the traffic lights, so that you are travelling west on Ladymead (A25). At the next set of lights bear left into Woodbridge Road (A322). Go straight over the roundabout, under the railway bridge and past the transport café and you will see the cricket ground on your right. By Rail – Take South West Trains to Guildford. As you come out of the railway station, cut left across the car park, cross Walnut Tree Close and go over the small bridge crossing the River Wey next to the entrance to Smith & Williamson’s offices at Bishop’s Wharf. Once on the other side of the bridge, head toward the Law Courts in Bedford Road and carry on in the direction of Mary Road, which leads to Dapdune Wharf. If you keep heading in that general direction you will eventually come to a lane at the end of a cul de sac. Turn right up the lane and you will find yourself at the main entrance to Guildford Cricket Club.

Ground Facilities

Car parking at the Railway End can be accessed off Woodbridge Road - ring Sam Streatfield (07818-437514) or Ben Green (07799-071335) to get your name added to the list. The press tent is basic with power but no telecom facilities unless they have been pre-booked with Sam. Most press work off mobile communications. Space is also limited, because the press tent is shared with the scorers, which has its advantages (the scoreboard at Guildford cannot be relied upon), and the PA announcer, which has its disadvantages (sorry Brian!).

Refreshments

Food/drink arrangements in the press box: At the back of the tent, tea, coffee and fresh fruit is available all day. These are sometimes supplemented with sandwiches at lunchtime, but it’s a bit hit and miss quite frankly. However, if there are spare places in the executive members’ tent, the press are sometimes invited to take lunch with Sam Streatfeild. Failing that, there is a very good (and reasonably priced) refreshments marquee on the main forecourt. Local boozers for lunch time relief: Nearby pubs include the Drummond Arms (Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RF), and the King’s Head (Stoke Road, Guildford GU1 4JW). Not far from the railway station there’s the George Abbot (High Street, Guildford GU2 4AB). But if you are prepared to venture further afield for a really good pint, there are the Weavers Arms - no, it isn’t run by Paul Weaver! - (Southway, Guildford GU2 8DT) and the Britannia (Millmead, Guildford GU2 4BE).

Accommodation

4 STARS: Asperion, 73 Farnham Road, Guildford GU2 7PF (01483-579299) (1.2 miles from Guildford Cricket Club); Holiday Inn, Egerton Road, Guildford GU2 7XZ (0870 400 9036) (3.0 miles). 3 STARS: Blanes Court Hotel, Albury Road, Guildford GU1 2BT (01483-573171) (1.4 miles); Hillside Hotel, Worplesdon, Nr Guildford GU3 3RF (01483-232051) (3.4 miles); Premier Travel Inn, Parkway, Guildford GU1 1UP (08701-977122) (1.2 miles).

Leisure

Restaurants worth a visit include: Café de Paris, 35 Castle St, Guildford GU1 3UQ (01483-534896), Cambio 2-4 South Hill, Guildford GU1 3SY (01483-577702) and Rum Wong 16-18 London Rd, Guildford GU1 2AF (01483-536092).

Directions

Whitgift School is next to the main Brighton Road (A235), which leads into and out of Croydon, just south of the town centre. Raman Subba Row an old boy of the school is usually on the ground to welcome you to South Croydon. The main entrance to the ground is in Nottingham Road. By Rail – Take South Central Trains to South Croydon. When you come out of the railway station, head straight on in the direction of St.Peter’s Church. When you reach St.Peter’s Road turn left. At the bottom of the hill turn right (at the mini roundabout next to the Croham Arms) into Ye Market. Walk past the Stag and Hounds pub and turn left into Bartlett Street. At the end of Bartlett Street you will find the offices of the famous Croydon Advertiser. Whitgift School is diagonally opposite. Buses that go to South Croydon (Swan & Sugar Loaf pub) include the 60, 166, 312, 403, 407, 412 and the 466.

Ground Facilities

Car parking is within the school grounds accessed off Nottingham Road. Ring Sam Streatfield (07818-437514) or Ben Green (07799-071335) for your name to be added to the list (or you will be stung for £10). The press tent is basic with power but no telecom facilities unless you have pre-booked them with Sam. So, most press work off mobile communications. Space is also limited, since the press tent is shared with the scorers, the PA announcer and the person who operates the Cricstat ball and shot logging system. But, generally speaking, the press tent is one of the few places on the ground where the action can be viewed from behind the bowler’s arm.

Refreshments

Food/drink arrangements in the press box: Refreshments are usually delivered to the press tent. Tea, coffee and pastries arrive at the start of the day and a fresh supply of tea and coffee is often supplied at lunchtime. As far as anything more substantial is concerned, there are usually a handful of catering outlets (burgers and chips, sandwiches etc.,) in operation on the school’s forecourt on top of the hill. In addition, there are a good selection of local shops just over the road in Selsdon Road, these include an excellent bakery (Isles John Craft, 20e Selsdon Road (020-8681-3376)) and a delicatessen (La Spezia (020-8688-4519)), on the corner of Ye Market and St Peter’s Road. Local boozers for lunch time relief: Of the numerous pubs in South Croydon, the Woodman (Upland Road, South Croydon CR2 6RE) is a well kept secret. The Croham Arms (Croham Road, South Croydon CR2 7PB), the Crown & Sceptre (Junction Road, South Croydon CR2 6RB) and the Earl Of Eldon (Brighton Road, South Croydon CR2 6EE) also have good reputations and are within easy reach of Whitgift School.

Accommodation

4 STARS: Croydon Park Hotel, 7 Altyre Road, Croydon CR9 5AA (1.3 miles from Whitgift School); Hilton Croydon, 101 Waddon Way, Croydon CR9 4HH (020 8680 3000) (0.9 miles); Selsdon Park Hotel, Addington Rd, Selsdon CR2 8YA (2.6 miles). 3 STARS: Aerodrome Hotel, Purley Way, Croydon CR9 4LT (1.2 miles); Express by Holiday Inn London Croydon, 1 Priddy's Yard, Croydon CR0 1TS (1.4 miles); Jurys Inn Croydon, Wellesley Road, Croydon CRO 9XY (1.8 miles).

Leisure

On the main road (A235) that leads from South Croydon into the centre of Croydon, there are too many restaurants of various types, prices and styles to know where to begin really. The Boulevard (French & European), in Selsdon Road next door to The Folly pub (020 8649 9990), is within very easy reach of Whitgift School. Little Bay (French), also very handy, in Selsdon Road opposite the Croham Arms (020-8649-9544), has established a good reputation for its food as well as its young and attractive clientele! An well established favourite is Kelong (Malaysian & Singaporean) in Selsdon Road opposite the Swan & Sugar Loaf pub (020-8688-0726), which, most nights of the week, offers an extremely varied "eat as much as you like menu" for £17. In South End you can take your pick from Bagatti’s (Italian), Bejing Cottage (Chinese), Bibi & Beppe (Italian), Jardin De Provence (French), Mae Ping (Thai), Paradise Island (Seafood) and Zizzi’s (Italian).

Details from Surrey's Media Guide:

Whitgift School, South Croydon