There are lots of things to do in Wimbledon besides attending the annual tennis tournament that consumes the leafy suburb every summer. This buzzy south-west London spot is home to one of the city’s biggest green spaces, with reliable transport links into the centre of town (17 minutes to Waterloo), making it popular with nesting families spilling south. Wimbledon is split into two main areas – the town and the village.
The latter is home to cute neighbourhood cafés, independent boutiques and the popular stables, with resident Shetland pony Fantastic Mr Fudge, who can often be caught trotting along the High Street. If you’re planning a visit, these are the haunts worth checking out. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Wimbledon is known worldwide for its association with Grand Slam tennis.
While the tournament plays out over two buzzy weeks at the start of summer, few know that the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, where the games take place, is open year-round. Explore the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, where exhibitions explain the history and traditions of The Championships, getting close to famous trophies and Victorian fabrics used to create some of the first sportswear worn on the grass courts. Alternatively, get the lowdown from the experts on a behind-the-scenes tour of the sprawling site, taking a peek inside areas including Centre Court and the Members’ Tea Lawn.
Finish off with a slice of cake and a refreshing hot beverage in the Wingfield.
