An Introduction to Wimbledon

By Aaron Knight


An affluent residential suburb, Wimbledon is located in South West London. Until the railways were built in the nineteenth century, it was a small village. It is thought that the area has been inhabited since at least the Iron Age. On the parkland of Wimbledon Common, the remains of an Iron Age hill fort can still be seen. Wimbledon has a relaxed and sophisticated feel, despite being a part of London's commuter belt. In particular, the quarter around Wimbledon Station and the Broadway offers various restaurants and bars. This brief introduction will help the first-time visitor when in Wimbledon, London

Getting there

London Underground, or 'tube' services as they are commonly called, as well as trains, run regularly between Wimbledon and central London, with a journey time of just over 15 minutes. Wimbledon Station is a key transport hub, with connections for trains, trams and the tube. Trains to central London go via the mainline railway, whilst the tube goes into the centre via the District Line. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are within an hour's travel of Wimbledon Station.

Things to Do

Wimbledon Common - Do as the locals do and take a stroll in the fresh air amongst this lovely 1,100 acres of open grassland and woods. There's even a picturesque windmill and museum at the northern end of the Common, with a village fair open during June each year. Why not rent a bicycle from Smith Brothers on Church Street whilst you're there?

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, Church Road - this is a must see museum, dedicated to the game forever synonymous with Wimbledon. Visitors can have a guided tour, including of the world famous Centre Court.

Wimbledon Market, Plough Lane - when in Wimbledon, do as the locals do. Open every Sunday, this market offers bargains on clothing, fruit and vegetables.

Wimbledon Village - As the heart of old Wimbledon, this area is centred on the High Street, and retains some of its semi-rural charm. Often overlooked, Wimbledon Village is a fantastic and quaint part of Wimbledon, and is the perfect place to browse the various boutique fashion and antiques shops. You can also enjoy a drink at one of the many caf'es or bars.

Cannizaro Park - Another delightful, more secret and secluded destination in Wimbledon; a Grade II listed garden of just under 34 acres, and remains one of the lesser known areas. It offers a labyrinth of paths and gardens, and is great for picnics. The park also has an open stage venue where performances can be seen on a regular basis.

Tennis Championships

There is no question that the jewel in Wimbledon's crown is the tennis championships at the All England Club, known more simply as Wimbledon fortnight. As the oldest tennis tournament in the world, it is also one of the four grand slam events. Taking place every year in June and/or July, seats for the championships sell very quickly indeed, although there are frequently last minute seats available. Therefore, if you are in London at this time of year, it is worth checking with local agents as well as on the internet to see what is on offer. Wimbledon tours can also be booked through The Wimbledon Experience.




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