Wimbledon (All England Lawn Tennis Club)
Year-round museum and guided tours at the home of tennis, set within the Championships grounds in SW19
Year-round museum and guided tours at the home of tennis, set within the Championships grounds in SW19
The All England Lawn Tennis Club has hosted the Wimbledon Championships since 1877, making it the oldest tennis tournament in the world. The grounds are open to visitors year-round through the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and a 90-minute guided tour that takes you behind the scenes of Centre Court, the broadcast studios and the players' facilities.
The museum traces the evolution of tennis from a Victorian garden pastime to a global sport, with original rackets, championship trophies and a 200-degree cinema experience. Guided tours add access to areas closed to the public during the Championships, including Court 1 and the competitors' entrance on Somerset Road.
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club was founded in 1868 as a croquet club on Worple Road. Tennis arrived in 1877, and the first Wimbledon Championship was held that July with 22 entrants and around 200 spectators. The club moved to its current Church Road site in 1922 to accommodate growing crowds, and the first Centre Court on the new grounds opened with King George V in attendance.
The Championships have been held every year since, interrupted only by the two World Wars. Today, Wimbledon is the third of the four Grand Slams on the calendar and the only one played on grass. Its traditions, from the all-white dress code to the royal patronage, have remained remarkably consistent across nearly 150 years.
The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum sits beside Gate 4 on Church Road. The collection covers the sport's full arc, from Victorian wooden rackets and flannel trousers to the carbon-fibre technology and data analytics of the modern game. A highlight is the 200-degree cinema, where footage surrounds you and places you in the middle of a championship rally.
Guided tours depart from the museum and last approximately 90 minutes. The route covers Centre Court, Court 1, the broadcast centre, the Millennium Building and the competitors' entrance on Somerset Road. Guides are knowledgeable and tailor the experience depending on the group, with plenty of behind-the-scenes stories about past champions. Four to seven tours run each day, and booking in advance is recommended.
Wimbledon Village, a 10-minute walk up the hill from the grounds, has independent restaurants, pubs and boutique shops along the High Street. Wimbledon Common stretches for 460 hectares to the north, with walking trails, riding stables and the iconic Wimbledon Windmill. For a full day, combine the museum and tour with lunch in the Village and an afternoon walk on the Common. If visiting in summer, Wimbledon Park next to the grounds has a boating lake and views across south London.
One child enters free with each full-priced adult. Students and seniors pay a reduced rate. Book online through the official Wimbledon website for guaranteed entry.
The guided tour includes museum entry and gives you access to Centre Court and Court 1 that you cannot reach on a museum-only ticket. It costs only £12 more per adult and is well worth the upgrade.
The museum closes to general visitors during the two-week Championships in late June and early July. Tours run year-round outside this window, and quieter months like January and February mean smaller groups.
The 493 bus stops right outside the main gates on Church Road. The walk from Southfields Tube is pleasant but takes 15 minutes, mostly uphill on the return.
Wimbledon Village is a 10-minute walk up Church Road from the grounds. The High Street has good independent restaurants for lunch and a different feel to the suburban streets around the club.
Tours do not run during the Championships or certain special events. The Wimbledon website lists all closure dates, so check before you book to avoid disappointment.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: March 5, 2026
