It is the part of Kennington around The Oval cricket ground, situated 2.1 miles (3.38 km) to the southeast of Charing Cross.

[2] The name "Oval" emerged from a street layout which was originated in 1790 but never completely built.

The Montpelier Cricket Club leased ten acres of land from the Duchy of Cornwall in 1844, and Surrey County Cricket Club was formed soon thereafter at a meeting at the Horns Tavern (since demolished) on Kennington Park Road.

The Member of Parliament for the area is Florence Eshalomi of the Labour Party.

The nearest tube stations are Oval, Kennington, Stockwell and Vauxhall.