Travel News: Wimbledon
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A suburb of London, Wimbledon is home to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club which hosts the Wimbledon Championships. For almost one hundred years and the oldest major in the history of tennis, Wimbledon is still played on grass and is considered by many to be the most prestigious of the Grand Slam. To the locals it is known simply as the Wimbledon and is held the last week of June, first week of July each year.
The weather in Wimbledon would be considered mild by most for this time of year. With temperatures averaging in the upper 60’s for June and the mid to upper 70’s for July. It is also a bit damp and the occasional shower is to be expected with about a 30 percent chance of precipitation most days. A little rain isn’t going to slow you down however and is to be taken in stride with the locals often able to tell that your a tourist just because of our reluctance to go out during a shower.
The first tennis Championships were played in 1877 at a ground near Worple Road, Wimbledon. The only event held that year was a Gentlemen’s Singles and it’s purpose was to raise money for a pony-drawn roller for its croquet lawns. That is also the year that it changed its name to The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, having gone by the moniker of The All England Croquet Club until money was needed to help with upkeep of the lawns. A pure example of market forces dictating the direction and development of a sport, by 1882 croquet had been dropped from the club’s name with tennis their reason de etre. Never one to to be accused of lacking sentimentality or having an eye for tradition, the club restored crouqet to it’s name in 1889 and has been known as the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club ever since.
Overall, summmer is a beautiful time of year to visit Londons Burrough of Merton as this area has been known since 1965. Seven miles southwest of Charing Cross,it is home to several open spaces with Wimbledon Commons containing the largest heathland in the greater London area.
The Wimbledon Commons are legally protected by the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act of 1871 and total 1140 acres in all. Protected for the benefit of the local population, the area provides informal recreation and allows for the preservation of natural habitat that once flourished throughout Great Britain. On it’s western slopes you will even find mature mixed woodlands which you can stroll through.
Whether you are in Wimbledon for the the Championships or visiting London and looking for places to see and things to do, Wimbledon is always a good bet. There are street festivals and local events taking place almost every weekend and summer is prime time for these events. Check the local newspapers, most have websites and provide a list of activities. Here is a link to the local Guardian for Wimbledon, an international newspaper with local roots. http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/wimbledonnews
You can hop on the tube and head out to Wimbledon in the morning and return to central London easily by evening. There are also connections to TramLink and National Rail if you are looking to tour London and the countryside. Just check this map, you will find that getting around LOndon has never been easier, Wimbledon is easily located in the lower left and lines for tube, tram or rail are all reflected.