Wimbledon

Wimbledon is an affluent residential suburb in South West London. Originally a small village until the coming of the railway in the nineteenth century, the area has been inhabited since at least the Iron Age. In fact, the remains of an Iron Age hill fort are still visible on the parkland of Wimbledon Common. Nowadays, although the area is part of London’s commuter belt, Wimbledon has a relaxed and sophisticated vibe and the quarter around Wimbledon station and the Broadway, in particular, offers the visitor a range of exciting restaurants and cool bars. This brief guide will give the first-time visitor some ideas about things to do and in Wimbledon, London.

Getting to Wimbledon –
Wimbledon Station is an important travel hub and has connections for train, underground (known to Londoners as ‘the tube’) and tram services. Train and tube services run regularly from central London with journey times of just over 15 minutes via the District Line (tube) to Southfields Station. Both Heathrow and Gatwick airports are accessible within an hour’s travelling of Wimbledon.

Many of the favored ways include the London subway (known as "The Tube"), the aboveground train, buses (only available during the Championships), trams, taxis, and with a car, although navigating and driving on the left-hand side of the road is quite tricky and finding parking can be tough!

• Want to plan your route in advance? Check out the Transport for London Journey Planner.
• Parking in Wimbledon

General facts about Wimbledon –
The town is an affluent suburb of London, and has been populated since the Iron Age. Still retaining a village mystique, Wimbledon grew rapidly in the 19th century when it was connected to London by rail. Laid back but with high culture, Wimbledon has many quality restaurants and bars, which become quite populated during the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

Places to Eat –
Such a world-class city like London has practically something for any sort of taste buds and hasan extensive array of great restaurants.
• If you are seeking out some traditional British cuisine, a local pub is your best option. One of the more popular pubs is The Rose & Crown.
• Excellent Indian food and curries can be located at Chutneys on Hartfield road. Other Indian spots include Broadway Tandoori and Ahmed on Wimbledon Broadway.
• Italian food can be found at Kings Road at Alforno (which specializes in pizza) or Dolce Vita on Broadway. Additionally, San Lorenzo Fuoriporta offers an upscale Italian dining experience.
• Aya is a great Lebanese restaurant on Merton Road and houses a fantastic garden courtyard. With excellent grilled and spiced foods, Aya is a place that keeps customers coming back time and time again.
• Dalchini provides fine and authentic Chinese food, inspired by the local dishes of a Chinese restaurant in Bombay. The area also houses many of the main chain restaurants like Est Est Est, Café Rouge, the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, and Nando's.
With such an impressive metropolitan like London, you will easily find whatever food you fancy!

Where to Drink –
The traditional English drinking houses consist of the pub. With food options and a communal atmosphere, the pub is often the central meeting place for friends and family members around any British town. Some of the more wonderful pubs in Wimbledon include The Crooked Billet on Wimbledon Common, Dog & Fox on High Street, Fox & Grapes on the Common, and Rose & Crown in Wimbledon Village. Enter into one of these pubs and you will find yourself deep within the British culture!

For cocktails or wine, there are many more upscale bars around Wimbledon as well. Bars also serve beer and imported bottles, and have a more restrained atmosphere than the bustling pubs. Some of the best bars include Henry J. Bean's on Broadway, Hemingway's in the Village, and All Bar One on Wimbledon Hill Road. However, we do recommend at least checking out one pub during your stay!