Saturday, December 21, 2013

A short introduction to Wimbledon

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

Wimbledon Station, as an important travel hub, has connections for tram, train and underground (known as 'the tube') services. The train and tube services run regularly to central London, and offer a journey time of just over 15 minutes, on the main line railway, or via the District Line on the tube. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are both within an hour's travel time 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 - Tennis is forever synonymous with Wimbledon, and this is a must-see museum. Guided tours are available, 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 - this is a Grade II listed garden, and is delightful for visitors wanting to see a more secluded destination. At just under 34 acres, it is a labyrinth of paths and gardens, great for picnics or watching a show at its open air venue.

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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