{"id":661982,"date":"2026-06-28T01:03:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T01:03:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/661982\/"},"modified":"2026-06-28T01:03:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T01:03:39","slug":"the-design-lovers-guide-to-wimbledon-where-to-stay-eat-and-explore-and-what-details-to-notice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/661982\/","title":{"rendered":"The Design Lover\u2019s Guide to Wimbledon: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore\u2014And What Details to Notice"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated8 min read<\/p>\n

When a private organization devoted primarily to croquet mounted the first Wimbledon tennis tournament in a distant London suburb back in 1877, it would have been impossible to envision the event\u2019s expansion into the global spectacle it is today. The club, a precursor to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, had only recently introduced the idea of playing tennis outdoors, and the inaugural gentlemen\u2019s singles championship was held to raise funds for repairs to a broken lawn roller, used to keep the grass flat. But the sport grew quickly in popularity, and by 1922 booming interest prompted the club to relocate to its current location just north of Wimbledon Village.<\/p>\n

More than a century later, the grandaddy of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments is synonymous with tradition, grace, and style. \u201cWalking into the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, you will not find a detail out of place,\u201d says Darren Bailes, the chief creative officer of the creative agency VCCP, which oversees promotional campaigns around the tournament. \u201cEvery clock is a Rolex timepiece. Every garment worn by the umpires or ball boys or girls is Ralph Lauren. Even security guards wear military pomp. Dressing for an occasion can be a chore, but not dressing for Wimbledon. The finest athletes deserve the most beautiful crowd.\u201d<\/p>\n

The beautiful crowd at Wimbledon is the stuff of legend\u2014and Instagram feeds\u2014with the sartorial choices of attending celebrities and royals scrutinized in the hours after each match. In addition to being inextricably linked with the tradition of tennis whites, Wimbledon is also associated with brands such as Fred Perry, Burberry, and Lacoste, while playing no small role in the surging polos-and-pleated-skirts aesthetic known as tenniscore. Ralph Lauren, the only official outfitter the tournament has ever had, is celebrating Wimbledon style this year with its 21st Ralph Lauren Polo capsule collection and its first-ever Purple Label capsule collection, as well as an on-site cafe and shop. It\u2019s all part of what Bailes describes as \u201ctennis in an English summer garden.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"aerial<\/p>\n

AELTC\/JOE TOTH<\/p>\n

Ernest Hahn, a Europe specialist at the luxury travel company Scott Dunn<\/a>, advises visitors to \u201clean into the charm of the experience beyond just the tennis,\u201d he says. \u201cThe All England Club is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world and there is something special about arriving early, wandering the grounds, enjoying a glass of Pimm\u2019s or Champagne, and, of course, having strawberries and cream between matches.\u201d That iconic dish, so deeply identified with Wimbledon, has been served since the very first event in 1877.<\/p>\n

Wandering is also the best way to take in Wimbledon\u2019s \u201cunique blend of the formal and the informal,\u201d says Mike Taylor, a principal at Hopkins Architects, the firm that in 2023 designed the facility\u2019s sinuous new Somerset Road Covered Courts, which now double as a point of arrival for players during the tournament. \u201cYou are immersed in tennis and wherever you are you can hear applause. Plus, all the entertaining and socializing that\u2019s taking pace around the grounds means the place is buzzing. It\u2019s an English celebration of summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"IndoorJanie Airey<\/p>\n

The Somerset Road Covered Courts.<\/p>\n

When it comes to spectating, one of the best-kept secrets, according to Emiliano Del Pizzo, head concierge at The Kensington Hotel<\/a> and a tennis obsessive, is Court 18. \u201cIt\u2019s the largest court accessible with a Grounds Pass and is right beside Centre Court,\u201d he explains. \u201cIt offers a rare opportunity to sit close to the players\u2019 benches, providing a surprisingly intimate view of the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n

When it comes to spectating, one of the best-kept secrets, according to Emiliano Del Pizzo, head concierge at The Kensington Hotel and a tennis obsessive, is Court 18.<\/p>\n

The festivities will be even larger in 2027, when Wimbledon will mark its 150th anniversary. The grounds are getting their first major update since the Somerset Courts with the reconstruction and expansion of the iconic grassy rise known for years as Henman Hill. It\u2019s named in honor of the British legend Tim Henman before earning the unofficial sobriquet Murray\u2019s Mound in 2013, after Andy Murray became the first British male in 77 years to win Wimbledon. Murray is being honored with a statue, while dozens of new courts are planned for a site across from the All-England Club. Whether you are attending this year (the tournament begins Monday) or want to make plans for the Wimbledon jubilee next year, here\u2019s what you need to know before you go.<\/p>\n

\"ekaterinaAELTC\/JOE TOTH<\/p>\n

No. 1 Court at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n

Getting There<\/p>\n

Driving times from the city to the All England Club vary immensely depending on traffic and where you\u2019re coming from, but from Central London you can expect the journey to take at least 40 minutes. Luxury hotels can arrange private transportation, but as Hahn notes, \u201cscheduling a driver in advance and going early is key.\u201d He recommends the Tube as a relatively easy alternative, with Southfields Station on the District Line being the closest stop, requiring a 15-minute walk to the All England Club.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay<\/p>\n

If you want a hotel in close proximity to the courts, a luxurious and historic option is Cannizaro House by Hotel du Vin<\/a> on the edge of Wimbledon Common, about 20 minutes away by foot. Mixing elegant, aristocratic Georgian flourishes with contemporary design details, it occupies a 1705 Queen Anne manor largely rebuilt after a fire in 1900 and has hosted legends from Oscar Wilde to Boris Becker. Slightly further away is the Richmond Hill Hotel<\/a>, which sits on the far side of Richmond Park, the largest of London\u2019s royal parks, in an 18th-century Georgian townhouse offering comfortable, modern rooms and plentiful views of the deer traipsing through the verdant surroundings.<\/p>\n

\"Patio<\/p>\n

By no means do you have to confine yourself to Southwest London, however, especially if you want to combine day trips to Wimbledon with activities in the city. Many of London\u2019s most stylish hotels get into the Wimbledon spirit. For the third year running, the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho<\/a> is hosting its \u201cCentre Court-Yard\u201d<\/a> on the terrace beside its striking bronze Tony Cragg sculpture, where from 11 a.m. each morning guests can watch live coverage while snacking on strawberries and cream and drinking specialty cocktails. The Zetter Bloomsbury<\/a> holds daily watch parties in its private garden near the British Museum. Both locations of the Four Seasons, at Park Lane<\/a> in Mayfair and at Tower Bridge<\/a>, can arrange private tours<\/a> of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and Grounds, as well as Wimbledon transfers.<\/p>\n

Throughout the city you\u2019ll find afternoon tea with a Wimbledon twist at hotels like the Kensington<\/a>, which nods to the inaugural tournament with its 1877 Pairing, a tennis ball\u2013inspired vanilla mousse with strawberry compote served alongside Nyetimber sparkling wine, the beloved brand served at Wimbledon. For dinner, Pavyllon London<\/a>, the Michelin-starred restaurant at the Four Seasons at Park Lane, is offering a special four course menu dubbed The Final Set.<\/p>\n

Where to Eat<\/p>\n

At the All England Club during Wimbledon, nearly 350 chefs are on hand, spread across four main restaurants<\/a>, larders, grab-and-go kiosks, bars, and the VIP area accessible only to Debenture ticket holders. The newcomer in 2026 is the Centenary Restaurant, which serves shared plates emphasizing local, seasonal produce, in a space offering views of the southern courts. Downstairs is the Centenary Brasserie, which focuses on British culinary heritage, while elsewhere on the grounds visitors will find seafood-focused Wingfield, set within Centre Court with views of the Tea Lawn, and the Cavendish, an all-day cafe named after the pseudonym of Henry Jones, the 19th-century writer who was instrumental in the popularization of lawn tennis.<\/p>\n

Half a dozen more restaurants are available to Debenture holders, including a pair of fine-dining establishments: The Champions Room on Centre Court, which serves a four-course lunch and afternoon tea, and the Renshaw on No. 1 Court, which serves a menu by Welsh celebrity chef Bryn Willliams. \u201cA common misconception is that having Debenture tickets guarantees access to any restaurant in the Debenture areas,\u201d says Del Pizzo, who advises making reservations early.<\/p>\n

Of course, you can skip all that and reserve one of the famous Wimbledon Picnics (be sure to place your order<\/a> several days in advance), complete with cutlery and a blanket, to enjoy on Henman Hill, where fans without premium tickets can watch the action on a giant screen. \u201cI love the idea of leaning into the picnic tradition,\u201d says Hahn.<\/p>\n

\"ElegantCourtesy The Ivy CafeThe beloved Art Deco brasserie, the Ivy Cafe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Beyond the grounds, excellent dining options abound in Wimbledon Village. One of the most beloved is the Art Deco brasserie the Ivy Cafe<\/a>, where a strong Bloody Mary paired with brunch is sure to get you in the festive spirit. Locals also love Cent Anni<\/a> for modern Italian, the Black Lamb<\/a> for fare that tends toward the wild and foraged in a clubby ambience, and Vineria by Table@Vallebona<\/a>, a candlelit wine bar that pops up Thursday through Saturday evenings. At the seafood-focused Orion<\/a>, you can order lunch or dinner with tennis-themed flourishes while watching a match on the big screen, while several classic English pubs, including the Rose & Crown<\/a>, the Dog & Fox<\/a>, and the Fox & Grapes<\/a>, all have appealing garden areas.<\/p>\n

Visitors seeking something more refined can venture to Richmond to dine at Scott\u2019s Richmond<\/a>, in an art-filled neoclassical building overlooking the River Thames. One of the most elevated dining experiences right in the village is at Takahashi<\/a>, an ultra-minimalist, eight-seat Japanese restaurant run by former Nobu chef Nobuhisa Takahashi. Another upscale micro-restaurant the village is the Black Radish<\/a>, a set-menu spin on a Parisian neo-bistro.<\/p>\n

More to See and Do<\/p>\n

Keeping with the tennis theme, other recommended activities include the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum<\/a>, which offers a rich history of the event\u2019s trend-setting fashions and the evolution of the grounds. The Wimbledon Museum<\/a>, devoted to the history of the local community, will be mounting an exhibition<\/a> during this year\u2019s tournament exploring the role Wimbledon played in the suffragette movement. Also in the village, Wimbledon Leisure Centre and Spa<\/a> offers treatments in a historic 1901 building and Wimbledon Quarter<\/a> is a prime shopping destination.<\/p>\n

\"Elegant<\/p>\n

Numerous Wimbledon-themed activations and events will be taking place around London as well. In addition to its presence at the All-England Club, Ralph Lauren will be mounting its annual \u201cSummer of Sport\u201d<\/a> pop-up at Sloane Square in Chelsea, where visitors can check out installations and talks, grab a lemonade or soft serve, and catch a match. Many restaurants will be throwing their own watch parties, including the Bluebird Chelsea<\/a>, the beloved Art Deco redoubt on King\u2019s Road.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a joy to Wimbledon,\u201d says People\u2019s co-founder Margot Hauer-King. \u201cWe are all sort of fascinated and fixated on it. Wimbledon is a moment you connect with, whether you are a tennis fanatic or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Catering to Wimbledon fans looking to continue the festivities late into the evening, the New York club and art salon People\u2019s<\/a> is taking up residence in Nelly\u2019s Tavern<\/a>, the swank new bar in the basement of the restaurant Simpson\u2019s in the Strand<\/a>, a London institution for nearly two centuries that was recently revived by renowned restaurateur Jeremy King\u2013\u2013the father of People\u2019s co-founder Margot Hauer-King.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a joy to Wimbledon,\u201d says London native Hauer-King. \u201cWe are all sort of fascinated and fixated on it. Wimbledon is a moment you connect with, whether you are a tennis fanatic or not.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"8 min read When a private organization devoted primarily to croquet mounted the first Wimbledon tennis tournament in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":661983,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[221949,221950,9262,221947,381,2788,190731,380,190989,221946,101,221948,118,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-661982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tennis","tag-collection-design-fiends-guides","tag-collection-elle-decor-premium","tag-content-type-feature","tag-contentid-7749a82c-df66-4e5d-82d9-e1df563261d0","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-hasproduct-true","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-us","tag-read_time-9","tag-shorttitle-the-design-fiends-guide-to-wimbledon","tag-sports","tag-subsection-travel","tag-tennis","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=661982"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/661982\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/661983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=661982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=661982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=661982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}