WIMBLEDON LAWN TENNIS MUSEUM ULTIMATE GUIDE
Open: Everyday: 10:00AM to 5:30PM
Time Needed: 2,5 hours
Price: £8 - £24
Celebrating the oldest tournament in the world and being the largest tennis museum on the planet, London’s Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum offers hours of entertainment for both tennis fans and non-tennis fans alike.
The museum is located at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (also known as the “All-England Club”) which is famous in its own right for being home to the Wimbledon Championships. During a trip to museum, visitors can venture on a behind-the-scene tour of the grounds, and get a chance to see some of the areas shown during the world-famous Wimbledon Championships.
Not just limited to exhibits and displays, the museum also boats its own cinema with a 200-degree screen, televisions broadcasting interviews with tennis players, and even John McEnroe’s “ghost,” discussing his own experiences of preparing for tennis matches. Visitors will even get the chance to hold some tennis rackets and trophies, and test their own tennis skills in various simulation games.
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum Highlights
When visiting the museum, each visitor will be given an audio tour guide so they can walk around at their own pace. Some of the many highlights of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum include:
- Andy Murray’s London 2012 Olympics outfit
- Tennis memorabilia from as far back as 1555
- The first tennis balls ever used
- Historic and modern-day tennis outfits worn at tournaments by some of the sports’ most famous players
- Borg’s old shoe
- Tennis posters from 1893 to 2015
- Both womens’ and mens’ Wimbledon winner trophies
- An interactive 3-D room that makes you feel as if you’re in the middle of the Centre Court
- A video monitor so you can watch clips of both the mens’ and womens’ finals
- Tennis “fashions” from the Victorian period
If you do decide to go on a Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum tour, some of the many highlights you can expect to see include:
- The Centre Court
- The No.1 Court
- The Mr. Fred Perry Statue
- The Aorangi Terrace
- The press areas where players are interviewed after matches
- The Players’ Entrance
On the tour you can also sit in one of the seats opposite the Royal Box, and even get your picture taken whilst sitting in the commentator’s chair in the BBC Newsroom.
Special Tips
If you are travelling with your family, make sure you take advantage of the museum's “Family Offer.” For every full-priced adult visiting the museum, one child can get in for free.
If you don't feel like purchasing a ticket for either the museum or tour, you can still visit the shop and the café. However, visiting the shop during the Championships is only allowed if you are a ticket holder.
While you're in the area, make sure you explore the charming Wimbledon Village (a 30-minute walk away), as well as Wimbledon Common (a 25-minute walk away)
Getting There
Address: Church Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 5AE, United Kingdom (See map).
By Tube: If you are travelling by tube, take the underground to Southfields station, which is a 15 minute walk from the Museum. If you don't want to walk, you can take the #493 bus.
By Train: If you are travelling by train, the nearest station is Wimbledon, which is a 20-minute walk away. From the station, you can also take the #493 bus.
By Bus: If you are travelling by bus, you can get to the museum by route 493. Buses run from St Pancras, Euston, Baker Street, Marble Arch and Victoria every 30 minutes during the Championships.
By Car: If you are travelling by car, there are car parks located on Wimbledon Common and Wimbledon Station, as well as on Russell Street and Hartfield Road. Please note that limited parking is available near the museum between August and May.
By Express: If you are travelling by express, there is a stop located inside Car Park 4, which is next to the Coach Park. Please note that passengers are not allowed to stop or board on Marryat Road, and parking on Wimbledon Common is also prohibited.
Visiting Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
Although the museum is open throughout the year, be aware that is will be closed to the public during Championships Week (unless you are a tournament ticket holder).
Tours of the museum run between four to seven times a day, and generally last around two and a half hours (consisting of 90-minute tour time, and an hour at the museum). Although there are a few spaces reserved on each tour for those arriving without a booking, it is highly recommended that you reserve a spot online beforehand as these are on a first come, first-served basis.
All museum ticket holders are also allowed to visit the Centre Court for ten minutes with one of the Tour Assistants, who depart from the museum every hour.
If you want to have something to eat before or after your visit, there is a café located on the grounds which offer hot and cold drinks, and snacks including pizzas, sandwiches, cakes and salad.
Ticket Costs
The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (including Bank Holidays), and last entry is at 5 p.m.
If you’re booked to go on a tour of the museum, check-in time is half an hour before departure time.
Tickets for the museum cost:
- £13 for adults
- £11 for seniors and students
- £8 for children
Tickets for both the museum and tour cost:
- £24 for adults
- £21 for seniors and students
- £15 for children
The Wingfield Cafe is open every day from 19 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
