Wimbledon
The ultimate tennis pilgrimage. The oldest championship in the world, and far more accessible than its reputation suggests.
The Vibe
There are a lot of preconceptions about Wimbledon. It's hushed, it's polite, it's precise, it's elite, or even elitist. Here's the thing: it is these things, but not to the extent people think. Wimbledon is actually a very accessible event.
Hushed awe and polite applause is perhaps the preferred atmosphere for many of the tournament's most experienced attenders. But if you want to cheer and shout for your favourite player, or whoever has won your heart in the match you're watching, go right ahead. One or two people might give you odd looks (as happened to me a couple of times), but on the whole your fellow spectators kind of admire your enthusiasm. Plus, if you go to a match between two players from countries with big fanbases or passionate nationals, the atmosphere is much more exuberant. I found that out one year watching Poland's Magda Linette take on Ukraine's Elina Svitolina.
Now don't get me wrong, you do have to make your own entertainment between games. Unlike every other tennis event, they don't play music over the loudspeakers at all. But there's always a quiet hum of conversation even during play, especially on the bigger courts. Many people there aren't seasoned tennis fans, they're there to enjoy the day out, and their choice of Prosecco or Pimm's. Make no mistake though: if there's a big moment or high tension, you can hear a feather drop.
Walking around the grounds, it's a hive of activity. People making their way between courts, or to and from the food and drink vendors. Yet, so long as you pick the right spot, you can look around and admire the scenery. The lawns are cut to perfection and the flowers planted around add natural colour to everything. With running water cooling the air, hedgerows bordering the grounds, and ivy coating the external walls of Centre Court, the whole thing looks like a park. Perfect for the world's largest garden party, or a festival of sporting prowess.
Getting There
The London Underground is the easiest way in.
Tube, our pick
Take the District Line to Southfields, not Wimbledon station, though don't panic if you forget. From Southfields it's a short, clearly signposted walk to the gates.
Not on a tube line?
Get a bus to Wimbledon station, then hop on the shuttle bus straight to the grounds. Worth it if you can't walk far.
Tickets
Getting Wimbledon tickets is a unique process that really deserves its own guide, and braving the famous Queue is a whole separate adventure too.
The ballot & resale
The main routes in, each with their own quirks. Full breakdown in our dedicated tickets guide.
The Queue
A British institution in itself. We've got a separate guide for doing it right.
Nick's tip: Wimbledon is one of the most reasonably priced sporting events out there, and a grounds pass won't set you back much. Even a Court 2 ticket is only around £60 early in the tournament. If you land a big court, still watch at least one match out on the grounds, you can get so close and really get into it. In 2025 I was only mere metres from former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, US Open champion Marin Cilic, and future star Vicky Mboko at various moments as they won their matches.
Seating & Views
Get there as soon as you can, queuing or not. Gates open at 10am and everyone has somewhere they want to be, so demand is hard to predict. Don't miss out.
Have a plan at the gates
Head straight to the practice courts, claim a seat for the match you most want to see, or grab a spot on the Hill early if you want the big screen.
A clever Court 18 view
If you don't mind standing, watch from the balcony overlooking Court 18 by the resale queue. Great view of the action, and you can see Court 1's scoreboard with every match score at once. Perfect for keeping an eye on the drama.
Food & Drink
You can bring your own food on site, so a picnic in the tennis park is fair game. But a couple of things are worth buying.
Strawberries & cream
The official Wimbledon snack is genuinely good, cooling in the heat, and surprisingly reasonably priced.
A glass of Pimm's
It's what the Honey Deuce is trying to be: sweet, cool, and easy. Just don't have too many, your liver and your wallet won't thank you.
Stay hydrated
Bring a reusable water bottle. There are refill points across the site, and you'll want them if you're outside all day.
Plan your day before you go
Know how you're getting there, sort everything you need, and check the order of play before you arrive. Pick a match, pick a court, and head straight there as soon as you're in.
Pack This
The weather at Wimbledon is genuinely unpredictable. Tap each one as you sort it.
"Once you visit Wimbledon you'll want to come straight back. There's something special about a day out in a London park, and all the excellence and stories on top just elevate it. You get to see the best players in grand slam epics up close, for an affordable price, especially in the first week. Even on Centre Court you can see every bit of the action. And even if you're not that into tennis yet, it's a brilliant day out, with bragging rights for having been."
See you on the Hill,
Nick