Wimbledon

Wimbledon station means two things to two very different groups of people. For the millions of tennis fans worldwide, it means the All England Lawn Tennis Club, strawberries and cream, and one of sport's great annual occasions -the Wimbledon Championships held every June and July. For the 200,000-odd people who live in the surrounding borough, it means a busy town centre at the junction of a District line terminus, National Rail services and the London Tramlink. Both versions are true simultaneously, and the station handles them with varying degrees of success depending on the time of year.

Outside Championships fortnight, Wimbledon is a pleasant south-west London town with a good high street, excellent independent restaurants in Wimbledon Village (the old historic centre, uphill from the station), and access to Wimbledon Common -1,100 acres of open heathland immediately west of the station.

Station Overview

Wimbledon station opened in 1889 as part of the District Railway extension from Putney Bridge. It sits in Zone 3 and serves the District line, South Western Railway National Rail services and the London Tramlink. The station is a busy multi-modal interchange at the edge of Wimbledon town centre.

Lines and Connectivity

The District line (green) connects Wimbledon east through Southfields, East Putney, Putney Bridge, Parsons Green, Fulham Broadway and Earl's Court, continuing to Victoria (30 minutes from Wimbledon).

National Rail South Western Railway services reach Waterloo in approximately 24 minutes -often faster than the District line.

The Tramlink (Croydon Tramlink) departs from adjacent Wimbledon tram stops, connecting to Croydon, Beckenham Junction and surrounding south London destinations.

The Championships

Wimbledon Championships take place at the All England Lawn Tennis Club each year from late June to mid-July. The station is severely congested during this period. Tickets for Centre Court and Court 1 are allocated by ballot (apply the previous year); ground passes for the outer courts are available by queuing from early morning. The nearest station for the AELTC is Southfields (one stop east on the District line) for walking to the grounds, or the dedicated shuttle bus from Wimbledon station.

Travel Tips

• During the Championships, use Southfields station and walk to the AELTC (20 minutes) rather than taking the shuttle bus from Wimbledon -it is often faster and gives you a better sense of the approach to the grounds.
• Wimbledon Village (uphill from the station, 10 minutes walk) has excellent independent restaurants and a very different character to the town centre below.
• Wimbledon Common is directly west of the station -1,100 acres of open heathland with good walking and cycling. The Windmill on the Common (free) is the area's most recognisable landmark.
• National Rail to Waterloo is generally faster than the District line for central London journeys.

Nearby Attractions

All England Lawn Tennis Club -20 minutes walk (via Southfields) or shuttle bus. Home of the Championships. Wimbledon Museum open year-round; match visits by ticket only.

Wimbledon Common -10 minutes walk west. 1,100 acres of open heathland. Free. The Windmill and War Museum are on the common.

Wimbledon Village -10 minutes walk uphill. Historic village with independent restaurants, boutiques and a very different pace to the town centre.