Wimbledon

Wimbledon is within the district of South London, in the London Borough of Merton and for most, is known for the tennis. Over the past century, Wimbledon has been internationally famed as the home of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, although the history of this actually starts with croquet. Back in the 1870’s, the All-England Croquet Club had begun to hold its annual championships but they were not proving popular and an interest in the new sport of lawn tennis was taking hold. Initially setting aside just one of its lawns for tennis, the club decided to hold its first Lawn Tennis Championship in July 1877. By 1922 the club's small ground could no longer cope with the popularity of the sport that brought vast numbers of spectators and along with a change of name to the ‘England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’, moved to new grounds close to Wimbledon Park. King George V opened the new courts and accordingly, as the first match started, a new tradition was begun… the rain came down.

There is a charm to Wimbledon Village that is a delight for visitors who enjoy the excellent choice of bistros, restaurants and pubs as well as shopping and visitor attractions. During the fortnight of the tennis championship, the area is alive with activity and entertainment. Another annual celebration that takes place in Wimbledon is the chariot festival at the Buddhist temple on the 15^th August and is open to the public.