7 awesome things to do in Wimbledon other than tennis
This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated.
There’s plenty to see and do in SW19 all year round.
Most people associate Wimbledon with tennis, strawberries and cream. Or ecologically-sound furry creatures called Wombles who allegedly live on the Common, making useful things out of litter.
Other things do happen in this lovely, affluent corner of South West London, however. Longer-term residents might tell you proudly about the local soccer team’s FA Cup win over Liverpool in 1988, a huge time of celebration that I remember fondly. Younger ones might remind you that ‘Tomb Raider’ heroine Lara Croft grew up in Wimbledon!
The lure of tennis
It’s fair to say, however, that most people come for the tennis – and I don’t just mean the championships. Even if they’re not picked out of the public ballot for tennis tickets, people still visit the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) at other times, just to see it and say they’ve been there. It’s worth visiting for the excellent museum and guided tours of the club, not to mention the shop where you can buy your purple and green towel or your strawberry and cream mug.
2022 saw the return of full ‘normality’ at the Championships, following their cancellation in 2020 (for the first time since the second world war) and reduced audience admissions in 2021. The centenary of the famous Centre Court was also celebrated in 2022.
I lived in Wimbledon for around 20 years on and off, the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere. I loved it. It’s a country village within a city. If you have time to step away from the well-trodden paths between the AELTC, the Village and the tube stations, there are other attractions well worth exploring. Here are some of my favourite things to do in Wimbledon, including some hidden gems.
1. Stroll around Cannizaro Park
This place is easy to miss, being tucked away behind the 19th century Hotel du Vin country house hotel in West Side Common. I love Cannizaro Park because it feels like the countryside. You’d never know you were in London.
The park has various sections which are all completely different. Immediately behind the hotel are extensive lawned slopes, with plenty of shady places under trees. Families love to picnic here at weekends when the weather allows, and it’s a safe place for kids to play.
At the side of the hotel is a traditional English sunken garden, with attractive floral displays that change with the seasons. Not far away, a picturesque herb garden is cared for by a devoted group of park volunteers – the Friends of Cannizaro Park.
Next is a steep wooded section with twisting paths, leading you through a magical forest of mature trees and flowering shrubs. Eventually you end up at an Italian style walled garden, provided with picnic tables. Step through the wrought iron gates and you find yourself at the duck pond.
Beyond that is another, less densely wooded area which is full of bluebells and daffodils in spring, and colourful rhododendrons in early summer. A gap in a hedge leads to a rose garden. Eventually the path takes you back towards the hotel, where you can choose to have a coffee or a drink on the terrace surrounded by lavender hedges.
2. Enjoy a moment’s peace at the Buddhapadipa Temple
This is one of the more unusual things to do in Wimbledon. If you happen to get lost in the streets that lie to the north of the AELTC, you might find yourself in Calonne Road. It’s a perfectly normal suburban street of rather nice residential houses. But there’s a hidden gem here – a Buddhist temple, surrounded by beautiful gardens.
For years, I had no idea it was there. Strangely enough, I discovered it after a dispute with a noisy neighbour in the block of flats where I lived! He offered to take me there as a gesture of apology. I can’t think of a more appropriate place to make peace with someone, or with yourself .
Under normal conditions the public can visit between 10am and 5pm on weekdays, or between 10am and 4pm at weekends. Check the Buddhapadipa Temple website for up-to-date information.
3. Spot the landmarks of central London
When you’re wandering around Wimbledon Village, you’re not really aware of being at the top of a high hill. So when you turn a corner and see a panoramic view of the London skyline, it’s a delightful surprise. The hoisted BBC cameras capture it well during their tennis coverage, but there are only certain places where you can see the views when on foot.
This photo was taken on Arthur Road, heading towards Wimbledon Park shops and tube station. Among the many famous buildings you can see on a clear day are Canary Wharf, the Gherkin, Battersea Power Station, the London Eye, the Shard and the Houses of Parliament.
4. Enjoy a beverage at the Hand in Hand pub
One of the best things to do in Wimbledon, especially on a sunny afternoon, is to visit one of the lovely village pubs. There’s the Rose and Crown, the Dog and Fox and the Fire Stables. Near Cannizaro Park there’s a picturesque pub called the Fox and Grapes. (Some of these also offer accommodation – see my ‘where to stay’ section below).
My top favourite is the Hand in Hand, which is located in an area called Crooked Billet. Tucked into the corner of West Side Common and Southside Common, Crooked Billet has the appearance and ambience of a village green, with a row of pretty cottages and not one, but two, pubs right next to each other. (The other one, which happens to be called the Crooked Billet, is also well worth a visit, by the way).
My husband and I spent many a happy Sunday afternoon in the Hand in Hand. It’s a traditional pub with a friendly landlord, Andrew, and welcoming staff. Unlike the Crooked Billet next door they don’t play music, so if you want to have a conversation with your companions, it’s a lot easier to do so.
Like many pubs in Wimbledon, the Hand in Hand is pet-friendly. Well-behaved dogs can accompany their owners indoors. One day we even saw a horse tethered to a tree outside! (See things to do in Wimbledon no. 5!)
In summer you can sit outside on the green, while in winter there’s always a crackling fire going. It’s not unusual to spot one of the local resident celebrities in there. I won’t name them!
5. Go horse riding on the Common
The clip-clop of hooves is a regular sound through the Village streets. Horse riding is a favourite weekend activity for locals. Wimbledon Village Stables cater for all levels and ages. Pelican crossings in the nearby High Street even have special horse and rider signs on them! There are miles of tracks for riders to enjoy through the picturesque Wimbledon and Putney commons.
6. Enjoy the tennis-themed displays in local businesses
Around 40 local shops, pubs and other businesses get into the spirit of the Championships every year by competing for the best window displays. Some choose to keep it simple, whereas others go all-in. It’s fun to wander around the village, admire the displays and choose your favourite.
The competition is organized by Wimbledon Village Events. You can keep an eye on their Facebook Page for photos of the latest windows. Although the focus tends to be on the Village, businesses elsewhere in Wimbledon join in the fun too.
7. Discover Merton’s industrial history at Abbey Mills
All the things to do in Wimbledon that I’ve mentioned so far have been in the Village, which is unashamedly posh. If you prefer something a little more edgy, then head down to the southern neighbourhoods. One of those is Colliers Wood, which is a 10-minute drive or bus ride from downtown Wimbledon. The River Wandle flows through this area, and passes by another hidden gem – Merton Abbey Mills.
In its industrial heyday, the Wandle powered over 90 mills for industries including snuff, textiles and printing. This one at Merton Abbey Mills is still in full working order. It was used by Liberty’s, the famous west end store, who had their silk printing workshops on this site until the 1960s. William Morris was another famous name based in this area, which is rich in industrial history.
As well as visiting the water wheel, you can explore the many artisan craft shops and eateries now housed in the old print shops. At weekends there are market stalls and live events. We used to enjoy a delicious crepe at the Belgian Brasserie, watching the world go by before taking a walk for a kilometre or so along the river to another wonderful gem – Morden Hall Park. But that deserves another blog post all of its own!
Back to tennis…
If I’ve whetted your appetite to visit Wimbledon (if the prospect of getting tickets for future championships isn’t enough), you might like to know that public ballots now take place online. No more forms and stamped addressed envelopes! You can register for a My Wimbledon account and make sure that you receive an invitation to apply when the ballots open.
The AELTC website is excellent and full of interactive content to keep fans happy and engaged with what’s going on at the club. You can find the latest news there, and details of relevant apps to download if you want to keep in touch with results or get to know more about the players. These days, Wimbledon has its own official app, available for Android, iPhone and iPad.
If you’re not lucky enough to have a ticket or a place in the famous Queue, you can always watch on television. The BBC provides full free-to-air coverage for UK residents. If you’re outside the UK, the Club has provided a list of international broadcasters covering the event. In addition, this great guide by Hotdog to watching the tennis online from anywhere without cable gives the best and cheapest streaming options for viewers around the world.
best places to stay in wimbledon
Being a residential suburb, Wimbledon’s available accommodation fills up well ahead of the championships. In recent years, AirBNB has added some really good options to the market but they also book up swiftly. Naturally, given the level of demand during those 2 championship weeks, prices can be prohibitive. Many tennis-goers therefore choose to stay in nearby boroughs such as Wandsworth or Kingston, or in central London.
However, if you do have the opportunity to stay in Wimbledon and enjoy all the attractions I’ve listed above, here are my top picks. Note: those hotels marked with an asterisk contain affiliate links. Bookings made through these links will not cost extra, but we earn a small commission which helps keep this site going. Please see our Disclosure page for more information.
The Dog & Fox*
This popular pub in the heart of the Village offers 25 newly-refurbished, luxurious and stylish rooms on the upper floors of the lovely Victorian building. You get to enjoy the excellent food in the restaurant and the buzzing bar area with its sunny outside patio.
Cannizaro House – Hotel du Vin*
Beautiful country-style hotel housed in a 19th century period building overlooking Cannizaro Park. I’m not a huge fan of the gloomy brown decor in the rooms, but the public areas are elegant and the restaurant is top-notch. We enjoyed some wonderful times there during our Wimbledon years.
The Rose & Crown*
Popular with locals, this 17th century character Village pub has 13 rooms available. Although less ostentatious than those of its sister pub the Dog & Fox, they’re just as comfortable. The bar downstairs serves good food and has a lovely garden area at the back.
The Fox & Grapes*
This fine dining gastropub is located on a picturesque residential street on the edge of Wimbledon Common. 3 tastefully-decorated boutique rooms are available for booking. Although a little further away from the Village, it’s in a lovely quiet location.
Travelodge Wimbledon Central
Newly-opened in December 2022, the Travelodge is the perfect choice for anyone seeking good quality affordable accommodation. Located in downtown Wimbledon, convenient to the train station and shopping centre, the hotel has an on-site cafe serving breakfast.
These hotels offer great stays at any time of year. In winter, the pubs – and Cannizaro House lounge – have roaring fires going and are very cosy. Even if you don’t get to stay, they’re well worth visiting for a drink or a meal.
If you’re interested in the UK, you might enjoy my posts on South Thames gems, Northumberland, Barnard Castle, the Isle of Skye, the British Pullman, Steam railways of England, Narrowboating in Wales and Hogmanay in a Scottish castle.
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This is a very interesting and informative article about things to do in Wimbledon other than tennis. I had no idea that there was so much more to this area than the famous tournament. You have introduced me to some wonderful attractions and activities that I would love to try, such as visiting the windmill museum, exploring the common, watching a play at the theatre, or enjoying a picnic at the park.
Fantastic post the Hand in Hand pub looks wonderful for a summers day, on my London bucket list now.
Love this local’s guide to Wimbledon and that it looks and feels like a country village within a city. So many cool things to do and see other than tennis.
A really interesting and informative post. There is so much more to Wimbledon than tennis and Wombles!
There’s nothing like an insider’s advice to make the most out of traveling to a place that is famous for one thing. The garden and Abbey Mills sound like my cup of tea.
I’ve only ever been to Wimbledon for the tennis so had no idea there was so much more to do and see. It’s about time the ballot went online – I’ve been lucky enough to get Centre Court tickets a few times and it was such a faff with the stamped addressed envelopes!
Definitely makes life a lot easier, especially for us expats!
Very interesting post! I’m by no means a tennis fan so I didn’t even know it was a place beyond the tennis court. This sounds like a lovely English village. That view of London! Wow!
As a United fan I remember that Wimbledon victory well in 1988. Ah good memories. I’ve come across that Buddhist temple there before in my research. It’s gorgeous. Isn’t there a large Hindi temple too?
I haven’t spent much time in Wimbledon but I do love a good pub, especially one with an outdoor area like that. And the view of Central London is amazing. Still need to get there for the tennis one year though
We did a Wimbledon treasure trail in the summer which took us on a great tour of the parks and street. I need to go back to see that lovely temple though.
How awesome. I didn’t know there was a treasure trail. Must look into that and add it to my post!
Hello, I’m just wondering are there any other views of the London skyline from Wimbledon apart from Arthur park road, or Marryat Rd.
Thanks
Sally
Hi Sally, Vineyard Hill Road has similar views to those you can see on Arthur Road. There may well be other viewpoints on the slopes of the hill at that side of the town 🙂
As a Londoner, I’m surprised that I didn’t know about these places. That park looks beautiful and I’d be interested in visiting the temple. Of course, I couldn’t go past a drink in a lovely pub garden. Thanks for sharing your insider knowledge of Wimbledon.
There’s so much of London that I never got to see, despite all my years living there. It’s full of hidden gems. We really miss those village pubs!
How interesting that there’s a Buddhist temple and horseback riding in Wimbledon. Who would’ve thought??
That was my reaction too! It’s hidden in a residential street – there’s no way you’d guess it was there, unless you knew about it 🙂