Picture this: you step out of a station and onto a bustling Broadway; you’re greeted with the faint scent of strawberries and cream in the air; you can hear the thwack of a tennis ball being flung around in the distance; and that’s when you know that you’re in Wimbledon.
Okay, so you probably already knew where you were seeing as you had to travel the entire breadth of the District Line to get there, but I just wanted to set the scene for you.
When we hear the word ‘Wimbledon‘, there’s pretty much only one thing that springs to mind: tennis (and Wombles, I guess, but mainly tennis), however there really is so much more to this sweet little suburb than games, sets, and matches.
Perhaps you are heading to Wimbledon this summer to get your tennis fix; perhaps you just fell asleep on the tube, woke up at the end of the line and thought you might as well make a day of it; either way, we’ve rounded up a list of the best things to do in Wimbledon if you happen to be in the area.
1. Take a wander round Wimbledon Village
You simply can’t take a trip to Wimbledon without paying a visit to the totally charming Wimbledon Village. You’ll instantly forget you’re just 15 minutes from Central London when you’re surrounded by idyllic independent boutiques, cutesy coffee shops, and enchanting eateries.
Treat yourself to a fancy food shop at Bayley & Sage (possibly the most gorgeous grocery store you’ll ever step foot in), devour a delicious roast dinner at the Dog & Fox, or spend a sunny Sunday strolling round the farmers’ market.
Wimbledon Village is also home to its very own stables, so don’t be alarmed if you see some horses trotting around, or better still, get involved yourself with one of the horse-riding lessons they offer. Giddy up!
2. Soak up the sunshine in Wimbledon Common
If you’re looking for a little pocket of countryside in the heart of South West London, head on over to Wimbledon Common; a glorious green space that spans over 1000 acres.
Take a guided walking tour, watch the birds fly over Rushmere pond, discover the history of the Wimbledon Windmill with a visit to the museum, or simply sit and sip on a lukewarm cider whilst watching the world go by (I can certainly think of worse ways to spend a day).
Plan your visit here.
Windmill Road, SW19 5NR
3. Have a nosey round the Buddhapadipa Temple
Discover the hidden gem that is Wat Buddhapadipa, the first Buddhist temple to have been built in the UK, and the only Thai temple in London.
The temple and its grounds cover four acres of land and include an ornamental lake, a small grove, a flower-garden and an orchard. It’s an extremely serene place to wander round and explore, and is the perfect location to visit if you’re in need to some peace and quiet (especially if you attend on a day when they are holding one of their meditation sessions).
You’ll find this oasis of calm in the heart of Wimbledon Park (which is also home one of the largest lakes in South London FYI) so be sure to pay a visit and have the Thai-m of your life (see what I did there?).
Plan your visit here.
14 Calonne Road, SW19 5HJ
4. Make some furry friends at Deen City Farm
It’s no secret that spending time with animals does wonders for your mental health, so when in Wimbledon, be sure to pay a visit to Deen City Farm, one of London’s oldest city farms.
This urban farm has an educational focus and aims to teach Londoners about more rural environments and where their food comes from. Plus the animals are just really darn cute.
The land that the farm is built on is part of Modern Hall Park, a beautiful National Trust park which is also well worth a gander.
Plan your visit here.
39 Windsor Avenue, SW19 2RR
5. Admire the beauty of Cannizaro Park
Another luscious, leafy part of Wimbledon that’s well-worth a roam around is Cannizaro Park. This picture-perfect park is steeped in history and wildlife, whilst also boasting one of the most diverse tree collections in Greater London, with over 200 species found across the park – now that’s pretty tree-mendous if you ask me.
Plan your visit here.
35 High Street, SW19 4UE
6. Have a browse around Ely’s Department Store
Next up on our list of the best things to do in Wimbledon is Ely’s, the independent department store that has been standing proud in the heart of Wimbledon for over 125 years.
Partake in some retail therapy across their four floors and then when you’ve had enough of the shopping, head to their in-house restaurant for a well earned spot of afternoon tea.
Plan your visit here.
16 St George’s Road, SW19 4DP
7. Catch a show at New Wimbledon Theatre
Wimbledon is also home to one of South West London’s most-loved theatrical venues, the New Wimbledon Theatre. This iconic theatre is a vital organ in Wimbledon’s community and has been host to a year-round programme of musicals, comedy and family entertainment since it first opened its doors (over 110 years ago).
Plan your visit here.
93 The Broadway, SW19 1QG
8. Go behind-the-scenes at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
I couldn’t possibly talk about the best things to do in Wimbledon without giving a little shoutout to the sport we all know and love (or at least tolerate): tennis. It goes without saying that if you’re in Wimbledon in July, it’s worth taking a swing and trying to get your hands on a sought-after Centre Court seat.
If that doesn’t quite go to plan though, there’s no need to cause a racket, because you can still get up-close-and-personal with the courts by heading to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, where you’ll be taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of the grounds and given a sneak peek of the facilities used by the worlds very best tennis players.
Plan your visit here.
Church Road, SW19 5AG.
9. Have a drink (or two) at Hemingways Cocktail Bar
We’re heading back to Wimbledon Village for this next one and we’re making a beeline straight in to Hemingways, the only locally owned and independent cocktail establishment in the area.
A proud winner of the ‘Best cocktail bar in South West London‘ award and home to a food and drink menu as delightful as its atmosphere; Hemingways is an absolute must-visit when it comes to your Wimbledon bucket list.
Plan your visit here.
57 High Street Wimbledon, SW19 5EE
10. Release your inner footie fan at AFC Wimbledon
Next up on our list of the best things to do in Wimbledon is for the football fanatics amongst us. Head on down to AFC Wimbledon‘s new stadium to hear all about the remarkable story of the club.
The unique stadium tour chronicles the 133 year history of Wimbledon’s football club, starting with their very first match and documenting every step along the way as they moved up through the leagues.
Plan your visit here.
The Cherry Red Records Stadium, Plough Lane, SW17 0NR
11. Cook up a storm at Hashi Cooking School
Round up your pals, pop on your aprons, and get yourself down to Hashi Japanese Cookery School for a truly unforgettable experience in Wimbledon.
Reiko Hashimoto set up the school 20 years ago, becoming the first person in the UK to teach the art of sushi. Fast forward 20 years and she is still brazing the trail when it comes to creative and accessible Japanese cooking.
So whether you fancy trying your hand at sushi and sashimi making or you’re more of a ramen and gyoza fan, these interactive and innovative cookery classes are not to be missed.
Plan your visit here.
60 Home Park Road, SW19 7HN
12. Walk along the winding Wimbledon Way
Last up on our list of the best things to do in Wimbledon is a bit of a cheat code for this entire list, because following the Wimbledon Way (not to be confused with the Yellow Brick Road) will in fact take you past a lot of places included on this list.
This heritage walk extends from Wimbledon town centre, through Wimbledon Village and on to the Common. It connects all of Wimbledon’s most amazing assets from its rich history, theatres and listed buildings through to its influential people, open spaces, and (of course) sport.
You’ll even walk past the office block in which fictional Tomb Rader character, Lara Croft, was devised – and that’s a pretty interesting fact to have up your sleeve, hey?
Plan your visit here.