Most people know Wimbledon for its world-famous tennis tournament, but did you know you can actually visit the grounds year-round, not just during the 2 weeks of the Championships? I recently took the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum & Tour, and it reminded me why this place is such a British icon, even beyond the sport.
Visit Wimbledon year round
Did you know that the All England Lawn Tennis Club opens its doors to the public even when the Championships aren’t on? The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum & Tour offers a 90 minute guided visit of the iconic grounds. You get to see legendary spots like Centre Court, No.1 Court, the players’ entrance, media rooms, and more. It’s an incredible way to explore this historic venue when the crowds are gone and the grass is pristine. Being able to visit such iconic venue is great, even if you’re not into tennis.
Center court
Centre Court is the highlight of the tour. It’s actually smaller than I expected, which makes it feel kind of cosy. If you’ve never been during the tournament, it’s great to see it empty. But if you’ve already watched a match there, it’s not quite the same. And yes, with the British weather doing its thing, having a roof definitely helps 🙂
No.1 Court
Court No.1 is part of the tour too. It’s a bit more modern than Centre Court, but still has that Wimbledon feel.
Court 18
The Court 18 is a special one. It is where the longest match in tennis history was played: 11 hours and 5 minutes between John Isner (US) and Nicolas Mahut (France), back in June 2010. That kind of match isn’t even possible anymore since they’ve changed the rules to avoid it happening again.
The walk of fame
At the end of the tour, just after Centre Court, there’s a Walk of Fame featuring past champions and a big leaderboard showing all the winners since the tournament began. Many have been champions multiple times!
Attending the Wimbledon Championships: My experience
Let’s be honest, getting a ticket to the Wimbledon Tournament isn’t easy. My first experience involved the traditional queue, a test of patience and dedication (“only” 4 hours). I joined thousands of people hoping for a grounds pass.
Luckily, it was sunny and apparently at that time only the 5th time since 1922 without rain…lovely! Was queuing wort it? Absolutely, I got to see some game very close and the whole atmosphere was incredible. These days, people even queue the day before, that’s real dedication.
The second time, luck was on my side as I won the public lottery, granting me the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance. And that day was just perfect. It was sunny, warm and watching the players by sunset, truly amazing.
Wimbledon is, hands down, the hardest Grand Slam to get into. But it’s also the most iconic. The French may have invented tennis, but the Brits gave it style, tradition, and a lawn that’s basically a work of art.
Let’s Talk About That Grass…
One of Wimbledon’s features is its pristine grass courts. It’s flawless, a lush, emerald carpet that’s cut to millimetre perfection. The British love their lawns, but Wimbledon’s grass is the gold standard. It’s part of what makes this place feel so special, so refined, so… Wimbledon.
Interestingly, court 1 and central court are only open during the 2 weeks a year during the championship, but the grass is looked after the whole year. As for the rest, they do have to cover the grass around the tournament times and the rest of the time the tennis club members can play.
The All England Club: private, historic, and nearly impossible to join
Wimbledon isn’t just a tournament. It’s also a very exclusive private club. Becoming a member is notoriously difficult. Let’s just say, the easiest way in, is to win a Grand Slam! Seriously. Unless you’ve got connections or some serious tennis credentials, you’re not getting past the gates on a normal day. During the tour, we actually spotted a few members. You can’t miss them, dressed all in white, rackets in hand, casually strolling through the grounds.
Not a Tennis fan? Still worth visiting Wimbledon
Here’s the twist, I’m not even into tennis. But my family is, so the names and stories aren’t completely foreign to me. And honestly? Wimbledon turns tennis into something else entirely. Even as a casual observer, being there feels special. And being able to visit Wimbledon during the 2 weeks tournament is an incredible experience I would recommend for anyone to have.
If you’re taking the tour and don’t know much about tennis, I’d suggest brushing up on a few tennis legends beforehand. Names like Borg, Navratilova, Federer, and Serena will come up often, and it helps to know who’s who when you’re standing where they once stood.
…Even as a casual observer, being there feels special And if you are into tennis, you’ll appreciate it even more. I visited Wimbledon with the team from The Racket HQ, and I have to say, it was a whole different experience. They know their stuff, and they can talk about rackets and strings for hours. It was super interesting, and I learned a lot I would’ve totally missed otherwise. If you’re into the gear side of tennis or want to know more about Wimbledon and the tournament, check their article.
Don’t skip the Strawberries & Cream
If you visit Wimbledon, you have to try the strawberries and cream. It’s a tradition, it’s iconic, and somehow, it just tastes better here. Fun fact: the price hasn’t changed in over 10 years. This little treat has been part of the tournament since 1877, and every year, around 190,000 portions are served.
Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, dating all the way back to 1877. It is more than a tennis tournament, it’s a piece of British history. It is also a surprisingly great day out, even if you don’t know your forehand from your backhand. Whether you’re lucky enough to score a ticket during the Championships or just visit the grounds off-season, visiting Wimbledon is something every London traveler should consider. If you want to delve into the evolution of the sport and the championship check the article from The Racket HQ.
The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
After the tour of the grounds, I headed into the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, next to the entrance. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting much. I’m not a big tennis fan, so the idea of looking at old rackets and outfits didn’t really excite me. But surprisingly, it was actually quite interesting. There’s something about walking through all that history, the photos, the trophies, the legends, that pulls you in, even if you don’t know every Grand Slam winner by name.
Already been to the Tournament? Here’s my take..
If you’ve already been to Wimbledon during the Championships, you might not need to do the tour, especially if you’ve already seen Centre Court. The experience is still nice, but honestly, it won’t feel quite as magical as being there during the real thing. Unless you’re really into the behind-the-scenes stuff I’d say it’s more for first-timers or the curious.
Planning your visit to Wimbledon
How to Get There:
To visit Wimbledon from London is fairly simple thanks to the transport links. The easiest way is to go to Southfields station (District Line). From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the gates. Want a more scenic route? Head to Wimbledon Village and enjoy a 25-minute walk.
Tour Details:
You can book the visit to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum & Tour directly on their official website.
- Tours last around 90 minutes
- The museum is included in the ticket
Opening Times:
- Open most of the year, but closed during the Championships
- Hours vary slightly by season
Tickets:
- Adults: around £30
- Discounts for seniors, students, and kids
- Advance booking is highly recommended, especially in summer
Food & Drink:
There’s a café on site, but let’s be honest, you’re here for the strawberries and cream 🙂
