Other Activities to do When Attending Wimbledon

Wimbledon is so much more than just tennis and strawberries and cream. The storybook borough 6 miles from downtown London is full of majestic medevial roots, has some of the best pubs in the city, and more green spaces than you could possibly imagine. Whether you are visiting for the lawn tennis championship, or just for a quick weekend getaway, there are tons of cool and interesting things to see and do around Wimbledon besides tennis.

Wimbledon has everything that a big town does, packed into a charming medevial village full of wonder. If your interests are history and culture, explore the museums and famous landmarks, or if you prefer shopping, Wimbledon village is hard to beat, thanks to its wide range of boutiques. No matter your interest, Wimbledon is sure to impress those who take the time to discover its magic.

Besides observing the infamous tennis tournament, which is an obvious give-in so long as you were able to snag a ticket, here are some of the best activities to do in Wimbledon outside of tennis.

Take Horseback Riding Lessons

Equestrian lovers will enjoy Wimbledon thanks to its friendly atmosphere and extreme love of horses. Taking a horseback riding lesson is one of the best things to do at Wimbledon outside of tennis, and it’s designed for beginners, intermediate, and advanced riders, so saddle up! Not only does Wimbledon have local stables, but all the traffic lights in the area are dedicated to horses as well.

Explore Wimbledon Common

Wimbledon Common is the largest heathland in London consisting of over 1,110 acres and is a great activity in Wimbledon outside of tennis. It connects to Richmond Park and Putney Heath, allowing hours worth of nature time in the middle of bustling London. There are spaces for horseback riding, and golf is very popular as well, even housing one of the greatest clubs in all of London, Royal Wimbledon. There are miles of biking and walking trails leading around Wimbledon Common, even past the old ancient ruins of Ceasers Camp.

Walk the Wimbledon Way 

Wimbledon is a charming part of London, with winding cobblestones streets and a vibrant and cute downtown area. The Wimbledon Way is a great starting point when exploring the area, and it goes past all the important highlights, green spaces, and famous landmarks of Wimbledon, as well as various shops and restaurants along its path. If you are looking to celebrate and indulge in the culture and history of Wimbledon, this is the ideal place to begin.

Wimbledon Farmers Market

Taking place every Saturday is the Wimbledon Farmers Market which is by-far one of the best things to do in Wimbledon outside of tennis. The market has been a tradition for over 200 years, sitting along the Wimbledon Common, and is THE place to be between 10-2 on Saturday. Visitors can expect to see greengrocers and fruits, fresh fish and catches, fine cheese, homemade chutneys, pastries, and plenty of food trucks serving take-out meals as well.

Afternoon tea at Ely’s

It’s impossible to visit London without having at least ONE afternoon tea experience. Besides tennis, a great activity in Wimbledon is afternoon tea at Ely’s. Ely’s is the oldest department store in Wimbledon, dating back to 1876, with restaurants serving the best traditional cream tea in town. It’s a fraction of the price of other options in London, such as the Ritz, and serves a multitude of pastries and cakes to treat yourself to as well.

Visit Wat Buddhapadipa 

Wat Buddhapadipa was the first Thai temple built in the United Kingdom and is a great thing to experience in Wimbledon outside of tennis. It’s one of the most unique structures in all of London and has been housing monks and nuns for decades. Mind your etiquette, and wander around the wooded ground and temple interior frescoes; be sure to go around back to see the gold Buddha, brought over from Thailand’s Grand Palace.

Learn the History at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum

If you are a huge fan of tennis, which you probably are, or you wouldn’t be attending Wimbledon in the first place, there’s, even more, to experience outside of the actual matches themselves. The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is dedicated to the history of lawn tennis as a sport and the many champions over the years. Expect to see a collection of memorabilia, with some pieces dating back to the 16th century, gear worn by famous players, trophies, racquets, and even tour the BBC studio interview room.

Relax in Cannizaro Park

After a long morning of tennis matches or exploring downtown, visit the manicured gardens and relax in peace and quiet in Cannizaro Park. What is now the Hotel di Vin Wimbledon grounds, was once an important and sophisticated 18th-century mansion, with gardens just as impressive. There are countless floras and fauna species, beautiful wildflowers, and many woodland creatures such as foxes and birds. For those big into nature, guided nature tours are available to get a more in-depth look at Cannizaro Park.

Wimbledon is a great destination in London full of rich history and exciting activities, whether you are a tennis lover or not! We hope you have enjoyed this guide to other activities in Wimbledon outside of tennis, and that you choose to make the most of your lawn tennis experience by exploring outside of the stadium.