Most people associate Wimbledon with the tennis tournament of the same name. After all, it is home to the oldest tennis tournament in the world. People come from all over to watch the tennis stars battle it out on the courts for the prestigious title. In between watching the stars play, you can also experience hidden gems in the lovely Wimbledon village.
Wander around the village
When you wander the village, you may not realize it is on a hill. Seeing a panoramic view of the London skyline is a lovely surprise. The BBC cameras capture the view in tennis coverage, but it is better to see it on foot, even if it’s only visible from certain places. It’s fun to try and spot famous landmarks like the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, and Canary Wharf.
The U.S. Open, held annually in New York, also allows tennis regulars to experience some of the city’s delights. Americans enjoy betting on who will win the U.S. Open. Parx Sportsbook is one of the popular online sportsbooks where they can place bets.
Enjoy tennis-related activities
Even if you don’t manage to get tickets for Wimbledon, you can still visit the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and see some of the best tennis courts in the world. You can go home and tell your friends you saw the lawn courts where all the action occurs.
Local shops, pubs, and other businesses compete for the best window displays during the tournament. When visiting Wimbledon for tennis, you can stroll through the village to admire them and choose your favorite display. You may even buy some delicious cupcakes decorated with little tennis rackets.
Have a Royal experience
When watching the tournament at the tennis court, you might spot a royal family member in the Royal Box. The Princess of Wales is a fixture in the Royal Box as she’s a patron of the All English Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. This is just one of the Royal places where you may see them, but it isn’t just for royals. The Royal Box has 75 chairs, and many other prominent people sit there. In 2023, Roger Federer joined the Princess of Wales in the Royal Box.
Visit the Hand-in-Hand Pub
On a sunny afternoon, you can pay a visit to one of many local village pubs. These pubs have names like the Fox and Grapes, the Dog and Fox, and the Rose and Crown. In an area called the Crooked Billet are two pubs, one of which is called Hand in Hand. It’s a traditional pub where you will feel welcome. It doesn’t play music like other pubs so it’s better if you want to hold a conversation. In winter, there is always a warm fire in the pub.
Have a picnic at Cannizaro Park
Cannizaro Park is easy to miss as it is behind the Hotel du Vin Country House Hotel in West Side Common. Have a weekend picnic on the extensive sloping lawns behind the hotel, with plenty of shade. A traditional English sunken garden, an herb garden, and a rose garden are a feast for the eyes. A steep wooded section with twisting paths and an Italian-styled walled garden are fun to explore. At the hotel, you can drink on a terrace and admire the lavender hedges.
