Tuesday, December 17, 2013

A short introduction to Wimbledon

By Aaron Knight


An affluent residential suburb, Wimbledon is located in South West London. Until the railways were built in the nineteenth century, it was a small village. It is thought that the area has been inhabited since at least the Iron Age. On the parkland of Wimbledon Common, the remains of an Iron Age hill fort can still be seen. Wimbledon has a relaxed and sophisticated feel, despite being a part of London's commuter belt. In particular, the quarter around Wimbledon Station and the Broadway offers various restaurants and bars. This brief introduction will help the first-time visitor when in Wimbledon, London

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 - 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 - 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

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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