Britain's summer feast of sport has begun with something for Australian spectators on just about any budget.

Not only does 2009 serve up the usual fare of Queen's, Wimbledon and the British Open golf - there is also the small matter of the Ashes starting on July 8.

But tickets to the highly anticipated Test series are fetching hefty prices - if you can get your hands on them at all - and accommodation for the golf is almost always booked months in advance.

Rubbing shoulders with the social set at the Queen's Club may or may not appeal, but queuing for hours in the pouring rain for ground passes to Wimbledon is a less attractive proposition - as much as they are well worth the wait if you do.

All this means fans might want to consider other options for their fix of live sport.

Tickets to practice matches for the World Twenty20 cricket at picturesque Lord's, The Oval and Trent Bridge ranged from Stg15-20 ($A30-40).

And Australia's warm-up victories against Bangladesh and New Zealand represented half the chances to see the team, although their defeats to West Indies and Sri Lanka, which knocked them out of the tournament, were more entertaining.

If you're a cricket nut who doesn't mind forking out a bit more regardless of who's on the field, Super Eight tickets cost between Stg40-70 ($A80-140) and semi-finals Stg40-90 ($A80-180).

Wimbledon can be pricey unless you go for ground passes, which involve the aforementioned lining up and don't allow access to show courts.

The best tip for ground passes is to go early in the tournament when the crowds are bigger but you might be lucky enough to catch the fixtures of some relatively highly ranked players on outer courts.

Alternatively, why not consider the warm-up tournaments?

The AEGON International women's field at Eastbourne, a 90-minute train ride from London's Victoria Station, features seven of the world's top-10 players.

The men's event, meanwhile, has no one in the top 20.

Ground passes are Stg12 ($A24) Monday to Friday, while centre court seats cost a maximum of Stg31.50 ($A63.70) Monday to Thursday and Stg33.50 ($A67.75) on Friday and Saturday's final day. If you can't get seats to any of the Ashes Tests, Australia plays two four-day tour matches, against Sussex at Hove from June 24 and the England Lions from July 1 in Worcester.

Failing that, a generous helping of Australians are plying their trade in the county ranks.

With the early part of the season featuring plenty of days that would qualify as "summer" not just by local standards, it's time to get out there and enjoy.

But hurry, Wimbledon is just a week away, and you know that means - unless of course you're on Centre Court under the new roof.

AAP