Get up close to mesmerising memorabilia and delight in secret stadium tours at these famous London sports venues.
Are you a football fanatic? Crazy about cricket? Obsessed with rugby? Or mad about tennis? Whatever your sport, museums and stadium tours allow you to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at your beloved club. You can also feast your eyes on the most iconic pieces of memorabilia in your team's history - and you might even get a chance to spot a sporting legend in the flesh.
Whether you're a mega-fan of a London sports team or visiting the capital, we round up the very best sports museums and stadium tours you need to experience in the big smoke.
The World Rugby Museum, Twickenham Stadium
Since 1979, the Rugby Football Union has displayed memorabilia inside Twickenham Stadium. In 2007, the museum was renamed the World Rugby Museum to reflect its growing collection and create a focal point for the heritage and culture of rugby around the world.
The World Rugby Museum holds the most extensive collection of rugby football memorabilia in the world (a whopping 38,000+ objects). Star items include the world’s oldest international football jersey and the Calcutta Cup, which is the world’s oldest international trophy.
The Secret Twickenham Tour is also not to be missed. On this special tour, visitors will get behind-the-scenes access to some of the most exclusive parts of the home of England rugby. Items to check out include the Lego Premier Rugby Cup trophy and the St. George’s blazer from the 2003 Rugby World Cup signed by members of the England squad.
Book World Rugby Museum and stadium tour tickets.
The Marylebone Cricket Club Museum, Lord's
The Marylebone Cricket Club Museum is one of the oldest sporting museums in the world. In 1884, the collection was created when members were encouraged to donate items of interest to furnish the Pavilion.
The MMC's unique collections include artwork, decorative wares, trophies, textiles, accessories and match-worn equipment representing significant moments in sporting history.
Book your place on the Lord's tour and a museum visit.
Chelsea FC Museum, Stamford Bridge
From Chelsea fans to tourists from across the globe, Stamford Bridge is an iconic attraction for many sports enthusiasts. Stadium tours at The Blues home are fun, informative and unforgettable. On the Legends tours, a Chelsea hero will personally accompany you behind the scenes.
The tour walks through Chelsea FC's rich history, starting with its formation in 1905. This is told through interactive exhibits, user-friendly touch screens and pioneering audio-visual shows. Visitors can go behind the scenes at the Chelsea FC Dressing Room, The Dugouts, Press Room, Players Tunnel and Television Room.
The incredible Chelsea FC Museum can also be accessed during a guided tour. The collection includes FA Cup Final trophies, football boots, shirts and much more.
Visit the Chelsea FC Musuem and book a stadium tour.
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum’s collection contains over 20,000 objects that chronicle the history of lawn tennis. Since its founding in the 1970s, the museum has expanded its collection to include a wide variety of artefacts. These range from a c1555 book on the game of tennis, to the balls used in the 2014 Gentlemen’s Singles final.
The Museum holds personal collections of equipment, dress and archive material relating to Wimbledon champions, pioneer players and stars of the court from each generation. This collection is continually updated with new material from competitors on the current professional circuit
Experience the history and traditions of ‘the Fortnight’ in the Museum. Get up close to the Championships Trophies, feel the fabrics of tennis fashions from the Victorian period, test your skills on the Batak wall and learn about how The Championships has developed since 1877. With clothing and equipment donated by tennis’ top stars, you’re certain to see something from your favourite player.
Book visit and tour at the Wimbeldon Lawn Tennis Museum.
Allianz Park sports musuem
Allianz Park isn’t just home to Saracens Rugby Club; it’s also home to the largest private collection of sports memorabilia in the world. It’s not reserved for fans of rugby, either. The museum holds some of the greatest pieces of memorabilia used by sporting legends, including a collection of Olympic torches dating back to 1936, cricket bats from WG Grace and Donald Broadman, and George Cohen’s 1966 football world cup winning shirt.
Visitors will gaze in awe at the rugby balls used in the 1995 and 2003 World cup finals, as well as memorabilia from the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa signed and personalised by Nelson Mandela. Each of the hundred items at Allianz Park has its own unique story. With a museum tour, you get to learn about them from experienced guides and gain access to areas of the stadium that aren’t open to the public.
Find out more about Allianz Park's sports museum and facilities.
Comments