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Sunday, 15 December 2013

When in Wimbledon: What to do and see

By Aaron Knight


Wimbledon is a wealthy residential area in South West London. Until the railways were built in the nineteenth century, it was a small village, and has been inhabited since at least the Iron Age, probably longer. On the parkland of Wimbledon Common, the remains of an Iron Age hill fort are still visible. Wimbledon has a laid back and sophisticated vibe, despite being part of London's commuter belt. The quarter near to Wimbledon Station and Broadway in particular offers visitors modern bars and restaurants. This short guide will help the first time visitor to get the best out of their visit to Wimbledon.

Getting there

An important travel hub, Wimbledon Station has connections for the underground (known by Londoners as 'the tube'), as well as train and tram services, which run regularly, offering journey times from central London of around 15 minutes. On the underground/tube, this is via the District Line, or via the mainline railway when travelling by train. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are within one hour of Wimbledon.

Things to Do

Wimbledon Common - This offers 1,100 acres of open woods and grassland. Why not walk and relax in the area, and maybe have a picnic? There is a windmill a museum toward the northern end of the Common, in addition to a village fair in June. Bicycles can be hired from Smith Brothers on Church Street.

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 - the heart of old Wimbledon, and centred on the High Street. The village is a quaint and attractive part of Wimbledon, often overlooked by visitors. Why not browse the antiques shops and boutique fashion retailers, and have a coffee at one of the various wonderful 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

Probably the biggest and best attraction in Wimbledon is the annual tennis championships at the All England Club, known as Wimbledon fortnight; the oldest and probably the most famous tennis competition in the world, and one of the four grand slam events. The championships take place every June and/or July, and tickets sell very fast indeed. However, last minute seats can often be purchased, so be sure to check with local agents and on the internet for availability if you are in London at this time of year. Tours are also available from The Wimbledon Experience.




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