East Berm at Utilita Bowl: choosing a Test seat

Looking across from the eastern boundary

An East Berm position looks across the playing area from the southeastern side. The exact angle depends on where your allocation sits on the curve: nearer the square, you see the batter in profile; towards an end, the line of the pitch becomes more diagonal.

International layouts can include temporary seating, so start with the block actually offered for the Ashes. The berm name also describes the surrounding circulation area and facilities. It is useful for getting your bearings, but it does not replace a seat number or identify a particular height above the boundary.

Compare the Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie Stand when you want to stay on this side with a different seating structure. For a contrasting second day, the Pavilion provides an end-on angle. The East Berm’s appeal is following play across the square while remaining close to the sweep of the boundary on this side.

Sources: [1] · [2] · [3]

Prepare for the final session’s light

Eastern seats face broadly northwest. In the morning, sunlight begins behind this side of the ground. During the afternoon session it moves around the southern part of the sky, before western light reaches towards the spectators’ faces after tea. Sunglasses can be especially useful when following the ball towards the opposite boundary late in the day.

The East Berm is open, with little overhead cover. A morning without direct light in your face still leaves you outside for a long spell. Take both a sunhat and a waterproof, and keep the latter accessible if a shower arrives during play.

For more shelter on this side, compare the row offered under the Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie roof. That changes the structure and elevation around your view. The West Berm is another open alternative with the reverse broad sun pattern: it faces more towards the morning light and away from the later western sun.

Sources: [3] · [4]

The eastern boundary and food area

The East Berm puts interval food choices and the open boundary setting into the same part of your day. It can suit a group who want to watch from this side and meet close to their seats at lunch. Pick a named landmark on the route so that friends arriving from the hotel or Pavilion end can find the same meeting place.

Ashes arrangements for grass, picnic blankets and folding chairs are TBC. Book the viewing place described in the official allocation, then plan what to bring around that seating. Family and alcohol-free requirements should likewise be attached to the Ashes booking; a designation used for another competition does not settle the eastern blocks for this Test.

Sources: [5] · [1] · [6]

Facilities beside Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie

The Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie Stand is the main building to locate from the East Berm. Its hotel end has a water fountain, while accessible toilets are at both ends. Work out which end is nearer your block before the first session so that an interval refill does not become an unnecessary walk around the bowl.

Food counters operate along the berm, with the club’s published food guide locating a Greek-food outlet on the East Berm. Matchday offerings vary, so use the event guide for the menu while keeping the stand and hotel as your route landmarks. The Arlott Atrium and Boundary Bar offer alternative meeting points towards the two ends.

For a visitor needing personal-care facilities, the Changing Places toilet is behind the Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie Stand with a level approach. The berm route itself is level, but some lower spectator seats require stairs. Give the ticket team your preferred eastern block and access needs together so they can match the viewing position with a usable route.

Sources: [6] · [5] · [4] · [7]

Comparing eastern Ashes seats

The Test against Australia is scheduled for 21–25 July 2027.Compare the official block and row with the nearby Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie option, weighing the open setting against the opportunity for roof shelter.

The main Utilita Bowl guide carries the current sales timetable. For multiple days, check each allocation on the seating plan: the same broad eastern area can give a different angle around the curve. If seeing the batter side-on is your priority, keep the position relative to the strip in view while comparing the available offers.

Sources: [8] · [9] · [1]

Compare nearby stands

Hilton End · Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie Stand

Staying for the Test?

Sources

1. Utilita Bowl: international seating plan — checked 2026-10-09
2. AccessAble: ground overview — checked 2026-10-09
3. OpenStreetMap: Utilita Bowl orientation — checked 2026-10-09
4. Utilita Bowl: accessibility — checked 2026-10-09
5. Utilita Bowl: food and drink guide — checked 2026-10-09
6. Utilita Bowl: visitor guide — checked 2026-10-09
7. AccessAble: getting in and getting around — checked 2026-10-09
8. ECB: 2027 international schedule — checked 2026-10-09
9. Utilita Bowl: 2027 Ashes ticket information — checked 2026-10-09