Wimbledon is often known by the Wimbledon Tennis Championships which is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments and attracts over 530,000 tourists each year, however there is so much more to the town than meets the eye.

Aside from the tennis tournament, Wimbledon also has such a rich history and many unique features that often are unnoticed by many people and it is considered one of South-West London’s hidden gems, blending urban and rural charm.

Wimbledon has such a rich history, dating back to settlements as early as the Iron age.

Until 1838, it was a quaint village that flourished independently before the arrival of trains and railways.

This connection to the rest of the city has allowed Wimbledon to further thrive, expand and feel part of London, while still also remaining slightly removed from it. Wimbledon was not always part of London, before 1965 it used to belong to surrey.

This adds a compelling layer to its attractiveness, making it feel less like a typical London suburb and more like a charming village.

One of Wimbledon’s greatest appeals are the abundance of green spaces that residents and visitors can greatly enjoy, there is so much stunning nature right on their doorsteps.

It is very close to London’s largest park, Richmond park, where so many people can enjoy walks, picnics and other outdoor activities with friends and family. It is the perfect serene escape from the busy bustling city life in London.

It also has Wimbledon common and Cannizaro Park which are both very pretty places to enjoy the scenery, including their ponds and beautiful flowers.

A local resident Veena Vohora says that “it is so nice to have the ability to enjoy the green spaces while still being so close to London.

It is absolutely great because you can feel the fresh air, walk in open space and be with the nature, it is such a privilege.”

Wimbledon common is a lot more than just a gorgeous open space, it is where you can find the Wombles of Wimbledon!

They are a family of fictional creatures that promote environmental awareness.

The common also has a charming Dutch inspired wind mill which was built in 1817 which now has a museum, shop and delicious café – a perfect spot for a visit.

It is hard to imagine that only 12 miles out of the centre of London, you can be on a walk next to the most majestic deer, wandering round Richmond Park.

It is such a luxury to be able to enjoy the rich variety of wild life the park has to offer with its array of birds - such as the vibrant green parakeets and ducks - and gorgeous spots, like the still pond in Isabella Plantation in spring.

It is hard to imagine what it would be like today if John Lewis did not successfully campaign 266 years ago to allow the public to have access to the gorgeous park.

Next to the delightful Cannizaro gardens, Cannizaro house has both very elegant architecture and delicious food.

This makes it the perfect day out as you can enjoy a lovely lunch and walk through the grounds with you family or friends, or even stay there at their fabulous Hotel du Vin Cannizaro house.

It is the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful get away and to be transported to a very calm and serene world.

Wimbledon has something for everyone, whether it is up in the village enjoying brunch at the lovely cafes, a snack from their gourmet delis, buying some clothes at the designer shops or treating yourself to a well needed massage.

It is the perfect place to meet your friends at the pubs for a classic Sunday roast, such as the Crooked Billet, who’s charm and delicious food will make you feel like you are deep in the heart of the countryside.

One of Wimbledon’s hidden treasures is the Buddhapadipa Temple.

It is a stunning Thai temple which is nestled in amongst the greenery and it is such a tranquil space.

It was the first Thai temple every built in the UK and this makes it incredibly special.

It is home to monks who welcome everyone in and they offer mediation classes, it is very peaceful escape for anyone seeking some calm in their busy lives.

Wimbledon is not only for tennis fans, it also is perfect for equestrian lovers.

It is home to Wimbledon Village Stables which is an award winning riding school which offers excellent scenic horse riding lessons on Wimbledon common.

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is one of Wimbledon’s most famous attractions, bringing people from all across the globe to watch the tennis championships.

However, shockingly, before 1877 croquet was the dominating sport.

The history of the club highlights Wimbledon’s evolving sporting culture, which continues to attract so many athletes and fans each year from across the world.

Wimbledon tennis Championships is the world’s oldest tennis tournament which lasts for around two weeks, and the scale of the event is shocking.:

  • 42,000 spectators attend the event in total
  • 2,000 racquets are restrung and that uses an incredible 40 miles of string
  • 55,000 tennis balls are used in total
  • 29,000 bottles of champagne are enjoyed by spectators in the warm summers sun
  • 140,000 portions of delicious strawberries are served alongside 10,000 litres of cream!

There is a large misconception that it only  magnet for international stars, however it also feeds the local community.

Each year teenagers from the local schools all compete and go through vigorous training to be selected to be one of the ball girls or ball boys, or even just to work selling the infamous strawberries and cream for example.