Travel test

What: Hilton at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton. From €112 a night room only, with free, high-speed wi-fi. ageasbowl.com/hotel

WHERE: Deep in the rolling countryside at The Ageas Bowl, the home of Hampshire cricket and venue for England cricket internationals. Southampton Airport is 10 minutes away, Southampton city centre six miles and junction 7 of the M27 is nearby. Southampton Airport Parkway railway station is a short bus/taxi ride away.

EXPERIENCE: It was the first morning of a Test match and knowing thousands, like me, would be getting there early to savour the atmosphere, I caught an earlyish train from London.

Having enjoyed a carriage to myself for the entire journey, we pulled into Southampton Airport Parkway an hour before the first ball was due to be bowled. A free shuttle bus was on hand and got me to the ground swiftly and I’d checked in minutes later. A totally hassle-free journey.

After a quick coffee I took my seat in the stands to watch the inevitable tumble of England wickets. The sun was out and before I knew it the morning session was over. I headed back into the hotel for a sumptuous lunch at BEEFY’S, Sir Ian Botham’s flagship restaurant. Belly full, I returned to the stands and watched a great day’s play in picture-perfect surroundings.

How nice, too, at the end of the day to be “home” in a lovely room just a lift ride away rather than have to face a long, tortuous journey. After watching the day’s highlights on my state-of-the-art 40in LCD TV I slipped into a deep sleep in the big, comfy bed.

This needn’t be a hotel just for cricket nuts like me, though. You can enjoy a pampering at the luxury Eforea spa or a pleasurable round at the Boundary Lakes golf course, popular with the odd cricketer relaxing before a Test.

QUIBBLES: You have to be quick to remove the covers on the morning of a Test and be checked out by 9am.

VERDICT: It’s good enough for England’s cricket superstars – who stay here during a Test – and it bowled me over. I didn’t like it, I loved it. 10/10