Ultimate Guide on How to Queue for Wimbledon (2024)
Wimbledon is a two-week event held at the beginning of July that draws millions of tennis fans worldwide. Unfortunately, securing a ticket in advance to attend the Grand Slam is often easier said than done. However, with enough time and patience, fans can still see the world’s best tennis players compete by joining the famous Wimbledon Queue! If you aren’t sure what the Queue is and how to partake in it, I’ve got you covered with my ultimate fan guide on how to queue for Wimbledon!
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How Does the Queue At Wimbledon Work?
Wimbledon is the grass-court Grand Slam that holds the prestigious title of being the oldest tennis tournament in the world. With this kind of history, comes longstanding traditions that have stood the test of time.
For over a century, one of the greatest traditions of Wimbledon has been that avid tennis fans can camp and queue for bargain-priced tickets to some of the best seats that Wimbledon has to offer! This tradition is unique to Wimbledon and sets it apart from other major tournaments like the US Open, French Open, and Indian Wells (all of which yah girl has been to!).
How Many Queue Tickets Are There?
Every year, from the first day of play through the men’s and women’s quarterfinals, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) saves 1,500 prime seat tickets for people willing to join the Queue.
- 500 tickets are designated for Centre Court
- 500 tickets are allotted for No. 1 Court
- 500 tickets are saved for No. 2 Court
- Thousands of ‘grounds’ passes for cheap!
The Queue at Wimbledon operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. This means that as soon as you arrive, you’ll have to retrieve a queue card with a number that indicates your position. Based on that position, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a heavily discounted ticket for one of the main courts or a cheap grounds pass.
Simply looking at the numbers, if you’re one of the first 500 people in line for the Queue, Q1 – Q500, you’re essentially guaranteed a Centre Court ticket.
Meanwhile, if you’re Q501 – Q1000, you’re sure to get a ticket for No. 1 Court, and if you’re Q1000 – Q1500, you’ll definitely be able to secure a No. 2 Court ticket.
Nevertheless, if you’re Q505 and want a Centre Court ticket, there’s still a good chance you’ll be able to get one. This is because depending on the distribution of players on the three main courts, some of the first 500 people in the Queue may opt to purchase a No. 1 Court or No. 2 Court ticket instead of a Centre Court ticket.
Since everyone has their own player preferences, you’ll have to make an educated guess at what the cut-off may be. For example, if you’re Q650, there’s a pretty slim chance you’ll be on Centre Court. But, if Wimbledon splits the GOATS between two separate courts…yah never know what could happen!
What if I Can’t Get a Main Court Ticket?
If you aren’t able to be Q1 – Q1500 and secure a ticket for the main courts, you have two main options.
Option 1: You can opt to join the Queue for a grounds pass for the current day’s play. Just to give you an idea, there are literally thousands of grounds passes available as the Wimbledon ground’s capacity is 42,000 people.
Option 2: You can consider camping an extra night in the overnight queue. When people in the overnight queue are let in for the day’s play, new queue cards are given. This means that you could go from Q1670 to Q170 and have your choice of court for the following day.
Similarly, let’s say you have your mind made up that you want to be on Centre Court and are Q780. You can camp another night instead of going in when most everyone else in front of you will. This will likely make you one first few people in line when new queue cards are given and guarantee you a spot on Centre Court.
When Should I Start Queueing for Wimbledon?
Now that you know the basics of queueing for Wimbledon, let’s go through the process in detail. I’ll be answering common questions that I had my first time at Wimbledon as well as giving you lots of helpful tips based on my experiences. Trust me, you won’t want to make some of the mistakes I did!
🗓️ The dates for the 2024 edition of Wimbledon are Monday, July 1 – Sunday, July 14, 2024! I will be there the 5 – 8, so maybe we will meet 🙂
Can You Just Turn Up for Wimbledon?
The answer is yes and no. As mentioned earlier, from day 1 through the men’s and women’s quarterfinals, the public is allowed to queue for prime seat tickets. Therefore, if you show up during these days, you can easily join the queue for that day’s play or the Queue for people planning to camp overnight.
In the event you just turn up for Wimbledon after the men’s and women’s quarterfinals have played, you’ll only be able to queue for a grounds pass.
Beware, if you don’t do sufficient planning ahead of time, you may not get the seat you want.
How Early to Queue for Wimbledon Tickets
Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer if you’re after main court seats. People are pretty unpredictable when it comes to joining the Queue because they have different player preferences, court preferences, schedules, and levels of willingness to camp and queue.
Even if you plan everything to a tee, there’s still a decent chance you won’t get exactly what you want. There could be an influx of fans queueing because two giants are on track to compete — *ahem* 2019 Fedal match or the weather could be less than ideal and deter some from joining. You never truly know what the perfect time is to join.
That being said, here is my general rule of thumb:
- If you’re after Centre Court Tickets, join the Queue at least 36 hours in advance from the morning you want to be let in. I would even say arrive 2 full days in advance to be on the extra safe side.
- For No. 1 and No 2. Court tickets: arrive 24 – 36 hours in advance. Again, I tend to be on the more cautious side, so earlier is better.
- If you just want a grounds pass for the current day’s play, arrive well before sunrise. This means arriving in the wee hours of the morning around 2 am – 4 am to be let in at the start.
However, if you’re not a morning person, you can still join the Queue later on too. You just run the risk of missing some matches because it’s an elaborate and time-intensive process to go from the Queue to actually walking around Wimbledon.
🎾 NOTE 1: There are Twitter accounts that announce when people arrive and their queue position. You can follow them to help gauge your timing!
My Timeline of Queuing at Wimbledon
To give you an idea of my experience and one of my mistakes, here is my timeline of events:
- On Saturday between weeks 1 and 2, I arrived at the Queue at 5:45 am
- I retrieved a queue card from the person holding an orange flag and was Q10274 for Saturday’s play, but I didn’t know this at the time.
- After 4 hours of waiting in the *wrong queue* I realized that I needed to get a new queue card from the person with the purple Q flag — for people who wanted to camp.
- At about 10 am, I got my new queue card for Monday’s play and became Q502. This was perfect because Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were playing on Court 1 and Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were playing on Centre Court.
- I knew I had a pretty good chance at getting awesome seats for Centre Court for Manic Monday because at least 2 people would pick Court 1 over Centre Court. Thus, I decided to keep my spot and camped from Saturday morning until Monday’s day of play.
What Is the Best Day to Attend Wimbledon?
Honestly, any day on one of the main courts at Wimbledon is a pretty great day. But for planning purposes, I highly recommend waiting until the schedule is released. This will allow you to somewhat predict when your favorite tennis player might be competing.
Again, I attended Manic Monday, which is always the Monday of the second week. I find going later in the tournament is better because usually, this is when the better players start to compete against each other.
For instance, attending Manic Monday allowed me to see Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Matteo Berrettini, and a few more fantastic players on Centre Court.
Keep in mind, the later in the tournament you attend, the higher the risk there’s an upset. You may miss the chance to see your favorite player. It’s all risk with no guarantee, but that’s all part of the fun with queueing! 😉
Another thing to consider is the length of queueing. For example, if you want to attend Manic Monday, you’ll want to start queueing Saturday morning. This likely means 48+ hours of camping in the Queue. But if you attend earlier in the tournament, you’ll be able to see a wider variety of players and might need to camp less.
Where to Queue for Wimbledon
Each year, the Queue begins in Wimbledon Park. You can either take an Uber/Lyft, drive, or opt for public transit.
Since finding parking in the area isn’t easy, I would highly recommend ride-sharing or taking the tube. As a reference point, Wimbledon is about a 30 – 40 minute commute from central London, and it’s about a 5-minute walk from the Southfields Tube station to Wimbledon Park.
Where to Get a Queue Card at Wimbledon
To figure out where you need to go to get a queue card, look for volunteers with large flags that have a massive Q on them. There are usually two separate colors to indicate the two individual queues. In my case, one volunteer held a giant orange flag, and one held a purple flag.
People who want to receive a grounds pass for that day’s play needed to get a queue card from the person holding the orange Q flag. Meanwhile, people who intend on camping overnight for the following day needed to get a queue card from the volunteer with the purple flag.
That being said, the colors may change from year to year. As someone who didn’t ask the first time I went and waited 4 hours in *the wrong* line, I highly recommend asking the volunteers which card they are distributing. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than stand in the wrong line for hours upon hours and then have to head to the back of the correct line. 🙃
🎾 NOTE 2: One queue card is given per person. You can’t say request two queue cards if your friend isn’t physically with you!
How to Queue for Wimbledon: What to Bring
I’m going to be completely honest. The first time I went to Wimbledon, I was incredibly unprepared and many poor decisions were made. I’d been visiting Paris the day before, showed up with a meagerly packed backpack, and planned on queueing through the rain for multiple days…without a tent or anything.
To say several hard lessons were learned would be an *understatement*. 🤦♀️ Luckily, I have learned better and will share all my knowledge to ensure you have a fabulous time in the Queue! Below is a list of everything that you’ll want to bring!
Grounds Pass People
If you are just planning on showing up for the day, you won’t need all the extra stuff that people who are camping will. Here is a quick list of the essentials that I recommend:
- 🎒 Small backpack: I use an Osprey daypack, but a drawstring bag or any ole easy-to-carry bag works too!
- 💧 Reusable water bottle: Be sure to stay hydrated throughout the day. There are several refill stations throughout the venue, so take advantage of them.
- 📸 Camera: Whether it’s your phone or a fancy setup, you don’t wanna miss out on getting all the best shots. I honestly wish I had taken more pictures, but I was busy enjoying the spectacular show on Centre Court!
- 🧥 Jacket: It gets chilly once the sun sets, so bring some warm layers.
- 🍓 Snacks: Food is ridiculously overpriced, so I would bring your own if you can help it. But don’t skip out on the famous strawberries and cream!
- 🧴Sunscreen/Sunglasses: Make sure to protect yourself as you’ll likely be in the sun most of the day! Even when it’s cloudy, the sun’s UV rays pack quite a punch! Here are some nice travel-sized sunscreens I always pack with me.
☀️✅ Check rates for the affordable sunscreen I travel with!
Camping in the Queue
- ⛺️ Tent: While I did see people camping without a tent, you’ll be much happier if you bring one. According to the official queue rules, you can only bring a one-person or two-person tent for space purposes. I recommend bringing an easy pop-up tent since they are cheap and require little effort.
- 🛏 Sleeping Pad: Wimbledon Park is mostly grass. While you might think the grass is comfortable, I can confirm the abundance of little rocks is the devil. To save yourself some back pain, I recommend a self-inflating sleeping pad.
- 🌙 Sleeping Bag/Blanket: Similarly, you’re going to want a sleeping bag to keep warm at night. It doesn’t get terribly cold, so you can also get by with a decent blanket.
- 😴 Pillow: If you want, bring an inflatable pillow to sleep on. Alternatively, save money and space by rolling up a sweatshirt or using your backpack as a pillow!
- 🎧 Earplugs/noise canceling headphones: Even when curfew hits, people often stay up talking. Since you don’t exactly have personal space, noise, and snoring travel! Use earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to get a good night’s rest.
- 💡 Lantern: To help you navigate at night, bring a small lantern or flashlight. I personally love and recommend Luci light’s solar-power inflatable light.
- 🔋 Portable Battery: There are no charging stations in Wimbledon Park, so bring a portable battery or solar power charger to ensure you don’t run out of battery.
Staying Hygienic
- 🧼 Toiletries: Within Wimbledon Park, there are relatively nice portable bathrooms with several stalls and sinks. Be sure to bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, and any facial routine items you need. I put my stuff in a zip-bloc bag to keep everything together.
- 🧻 Toilet Paper: This may not seem necessary, but they ran out of toilet paper in every single bathroom one weekend I was there. I kid you not, everyone was panicked and asking everyone if they had toilet paper. Save yourself by bringing a roll, and you can pass it on to someone else queueing when you’re done camping.
- 🦠 Antibacterial wipes/hand sanitizer: The bathroom lines can get pretty long. If you just need to clean up a little, I recommend some Wet-one wipes and a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer.
- 🧖♀️ Microfiber towel: There’s a Southfields gym that’s about a 10-minute walk from Wimbledon Park if you’re keen on showering. You’ll need to purchase a day pass, but it’s pretty affordable. I suggest bringing Rainleaf’s microfiber tower. It’s light, compact, and dries quickly if you plan on showering.
For Food
- 💷 British Pounds: Be sure to bring some British pounds. This will allow you to purchase food from the various stands, order a taxi, and store your luggage while you’re at Wimbledon.
- 🍎 Snacks: The food can be expensive, so I suggest bringing your own. There’s also a little convenience store where you can purchase fresh fruit and other healthier options that are not terribly far from Wimbledon Park if you want. I mostly lived off of bread, Nutella, strawberries, and apples…ok, I bought one pizza too.
🎾 NOTE 3: You can get food delivered to you from local food establishments. Deliveries should be made to Wimbledon Pard Road by 10 pm.
Entertainment Options
- 📱Electronics: There’s understandably no Wifi, so download any movies, tv shows, or podcasts in advance.
- 📚 Book: If you want to save battery, bring a book or Kindle from Amazon to read throughout the weekend. It’s pretty nice detaching from the Internet and the world of social media!
- 🧩 Games: Consider bringing some board games, backyard games, or cards to play with others. Remember, anyone insane enough to camp overnight in a park is likely a massive tennis fan. Thus, you already have one thing in common with everyone else and it’s a great opportunity to make friends!
5 Wimbledon Queue Tips
- ☔️ Check the weather – The day before you plan on queueing, be sure to check the weather. It rains often in the Wimbledon Park area, and it’s better to arrive prepared! I, now, always carry a travel-sized umbrella with me because I refuse to turn into a sopping wet mop 🙃
- ⏳ Arrive together – If you are going with your partner or friends and want to be next to them, you must all arrive at the same time and collect your queue cards together.
- 🎟 Swap tickets – That being said, if you have a group and don’t mind not sitting together, a little hack is that you can each purchase tickets for separate courts. This will allow you to see all the best players compete by swapping out with one another during changeovers.
- 🧳 Luggage Storage: If you bring camping gear, you likely won’t want to lug it around with you all day at Wimbledon. For £5 a day, you can store your gear in a storage space in Wimbledon Park.
- ♻️ Reuse the old: If you’re flying in or traveling from out of the area, there’s a decent chance you won’t be bringing camping gear with you. Luckily for you, the previously mentioned storage area also doubles as a donation pile!
People who no longer want to keep their camping gear can leave it in the donation pile to be used by future queuers! This is what totally saved me the first time when I came with practically nothing. I sourced a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and blanket for the weekend.
In the event you do borrow something, be sure to return it to the donation pile when you’re done. This way, it can be reused by more future queuers! All camping equipment left at the end of the tournament is donated to the YMCA Wimbledon!
Right: Items being stored until the owners can come to retrieve them.
Wimbledon Queue Rules
While queueing for Wimbledon is a pretty fun and wildly unique experience, there are a few important rules that you must follow. Failure to do so typically results in you losing your spot in the Queue, and no one wants that!
Here are the two most important ones that you definitely will want to be mindful of. For the full list of rules for the Queue, head over to the official Wimbledon website to read the Code of Conduct.
Don’t leave the Queue for more than 30 minutes.
Every so often, stewards perform random checks by going along the queue in numeric order and asking every queuer for his/her queue card. This is to verify that the numeric order is maintained, no one is trying to cut the queue, and people aren’t leaving for extended periods of time.
If you miss a check, it isn’t the end of the world, but they will make note of it and usually circle back later to make sure you are present. Sometimes, they’ll ask your queue neighbors where you went. Thus, it’s a good idea to befriend your queue neighbors in case they need to vouch for you.
In the event you miss two or more checks, be prepared to be sent to the back of the queue. They aren’t afraid to enforce their code of conduct rules, so it’s absolutely crucial to not leave the queue for more than 30 minutes.
My advice is that if you’re traveling in a group, have at least one person in your tent space at all times. Stewards typically give a 30-minute warning when they’re going to do a tent check. At this point, the designated person or a friendly queue neighbor can give a heads-up to get back to your tent.
🎾 NOTE 4: If you need to take a shower, go to the grocery store, or grab some real food, do it right after a queue check. This is when you’re least likely to get caught for being absent for 30+ minutes. Obviously, still, exercise caution!
Keep Track of Your Queue Card.
For the love of tennis, Rafa, Roger, and strawberries, keep track of your queue card! Put it in your backpack, a fanny pack, or a neck lanyard. Do whatever you need to do to keep it secure.
If you lose it, you’ll rapidly experience the 5 stages of grief and knock about 10 years off your life. How do I know this? Well…
Surprise, surprise…my biggest mistake when I first attended Wimbledon was losing my queue card. After queueing for 40+ hours, my queue card mysteriously vanished and to this day, I still have no idea at what point I lost it.
What happened afterward you ask? Well, first I spent an hour frantically searching for it everywhere. When I wasn’t able to find it, I ended up telling a steward the truth and asked them what I should do.
To my surprise and immense relief, they had no problem issuing me a new queue card. They just wrote my old number on it and informed some people higher up, so I wouldn’t have any issues exchanging it for my championship ticket.
From my perspective, this was possible due to two reasons:
- I had previously taken a couple of selfies with my queue card and sent them to my family. Therefore, I was able to prove that I had a queue card in the first place.
- Both my queue neighbors gladly vouched that I was there in the queue all 40+ hours when the stewards asked.
In the end, all was okay, and I was able to still see my favorite GOATS play. That being said, I would’ve much preferred avoiding the entire ordeal altogether.
Moral of the story: Don’t lose your queue card and take a selfie with your queue card right when you get it!
How to Queue for Wimbledon: The Next Morning
Finally, it’s time to discuss what happens after you camp overnight in the Queue! This will give you an idea of what to expect and I’ll give yah some more helpful tips. 😅
Each morning, between around 5 am (give or take 30 minutes), the stewards go around telling everyone to wake up. Upon waking up, you’ll be instructed to pack your stuff, return any camping gear you borrowed, and store any camping gear you don’t want to lug around in the designated storage facilities.
Once that is done, you’ll line back up in numeric order and they’ll go around checking your queue card. Afterward, they’ll ask if you want to stay in the queue or if you wish to enter Wimbledon.
If You Plan on Staying in the Queue
They’ll line you up in numeric order along a fence off to the side. After everyone else who wants to attend that day’s play has left, they’ll give you your new queue card with your new number. At that point, you’ll be able to set up your tent space in your new position in the queue, and begin the process again!
For Those Ready to Attend Wimbledon
Queuers who intend to attend the day’s play will be led toward the venue and through a series of checkpoints. You will be repeatedly asked to show your queue card, so again GUARD IT WITH YOUR LIFE.
As you’re making your way to Wimbledon, the line will eventually come to a standstill. At this point, stewards will come by and ask you what your court preference is. Depending on availability, you will receive a wristband that states which court you intend to purchase a ticket for.
After everyone has their wristband, you’ll go through a relatively thorough security checkpoint. Then, small groups of people will be allowed to approach the ticket turnstiles to avoid absolute chaos…but there’s definitely still some.
There are about 10 turnstiles, and each turnstile supplies tickets for certain sections of each court. As a result, you’ll want to know what sections within the stadium you want prior.
🎾 NOTE 5: Consult the seating plans ahead of time and plan backup sections.
If you’re entering with a group and want seats together, be sure to enter the same turnstile. When it’s your turn, you can request seats that are next to each other or ask for a certain section on the court if you have a preference.
Remember there are no guarantees they will have available seats in your preferred section. Also, try and have your method of payment (credit or debit card) ready before you reach the operator.
Ticket prices fluctuate from year to year, but you can see the most up-to-date prices on the official Wimbledon website. Once you pay, they’ll hand you your official ticket, and you’ll be all set!!
Where to Stay for Wimbledon
If you’re coming from out of town, you’ll likely need housing for a night or two before joining the queue.
I highly highly HIGHLY recommend booking your housing accommodations as soon as possible if you don’t plan on camping overnight in the queue. Both prices and demand will only continue to increase as the tournament approaches…
And as it is, all places in the area mark their prices up because they are well aware of the hundreds of thousands of people who will need housing over the two weeks… so do NOT procrastinate.
See current prices on the interactive map for various housing options. Or, take a look at some of my suggestions below the map!
Budget Stay
📍Hotel du vin Wimbledon | 🌟 8.6 / 10
Neighborhood: An 18th-century country house converted into a lovely boutique hotel located on the outskirts of London. It’s 1.2 miles from Wimbledon Tube Station and a little over half an hour’s drive from Heathrow Airport. Attractions in the area include the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Hampton Court Palace, and Kew Gardens.
Distance from Wimbledon: A 25-minute walk or 6-minute drive from Wimbledon Park.
Amenities: Sundeck, terrace, beautiful gardens to walk around, area to bike and hike nearby, breakfast in your room, 2 AA restaurants, bar, and elegantly styled rooms.
📍Hyde Park Radnor Hotel | 🌟 8.2 / 10
Neighborhood: Located in Paddington, this hotel is a fantastic choice if you want to explore areas outside of central London. For example, Paddington is home to beautiful Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, Marble Arch Mound, London Zoo, and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.
This is definitely one of the most affordable places to stay that’s well-connected to the rest of the city.
Distance from Wimbledon: A 25-minute drive or 1-hour tube ride to Wimbledon Park.
Amenities: Flat-screen TV, tea and coffee maker, bike and walking tours available for purchase.
✅ Check rates & availability for the Hyde Park Radnor Hotel
Mid-Range Stay
📍London Bridge Hotel | 🌟 8.6 / 10
Neighborhood: Located in the Southwark neighborhood, this is a great mid-range option that allows for plenty of sightseeing without having to pay ridiculously high prices.
Some of the most popular tourist attractions in the area include the Borough Market, which offers some of London’s best food, the historic Southwark Cathedral, and the famous Shard skyscraper.
Distance from Wimbledon: A 30-minute car ride away from Wimbledon Park.
Amenities: Great bar and restaurant on-site, fitness center, sauna, and steam room are also available for use.
Luxury Stay
📍The Rubens at the Palace | 🌟 9.2 / 10
Neighborhood: Located in Westminster, this 5-star hotel is the perfect place to stay if you want to be able to sight-see London with ease before or after the tournament. Major tourist attractions, such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, St. James Park, and St. Paul’s Cathedral, will be right within walking distance.
Aside from sightseeing, you’ll have your choice of restaurants, cafes, trendy nightclubs, and more to choose from.
Distance from Wimbledon: A 20-minute car ride away from Wimbledon Park.
Amenities: Spacious rooms that are regally styled, 2 restaurants and 3 bars with world-class teams, and evening entertainment.
Alternatively, feel free to click these buttons to head to your favorite booking platform and see additional housing options there.
5 Fun Things to Do in London
It’s no secret that London is freaking huge with all sorts of things to do! I’ve been to the city three times, including for the most emotional Laver Cup ever 🥲, and never run out of activities to put on my itinerary.
I won’t go into everything you can possibly do in the city as we’d all be here for hours, but here are my top 5 recommendations!
1. Take the epic Harry Potter Tour at Warner Brother’s Studio
If you’re the slightest Potterhead, the Harry Potter Tour at Warner Bros is a must-do activity while you’re in London! For a few hours, you’re fully immersed in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and it’s freaking magical (pun fully intended 😉).
But seriously, everything from the recreated sets and costumes to learning all the painstaking details and effort that went into bringing the books to life… Walking through the Studios literally transports you into the books.
And in case you’re wondering, high school me was sorted into Ravenclaw. But, I’m fully convinced I’m a Gryffindor at heart now. 😅
✅ Check rates & Availability for this fantastic Harry Potter Tour
2. Indulge in the London Food Scene
The way to really discover a city is through its food right?? I mean that’s easily 90% of the reason why people who go to Spain or Italy always return infinitely happier. It’s the mouthwatering pasta and tapas!
Well, I won’t lie — London food isn’t quite as good. But, it’s still fun to taste all the classics! And one of my favorite places to grab food is at the Borough Market!
This place has been around since 1851 and has probably over 100 stalls. You can try regional dishes, taste the unique flavors of the city, and grab some nice souvenirs. Plus, the vendors are awesome to chat with, making it a great place to walk around.
But, if you really want to delve into London’s gastronomic scene, you should take a food tour. For instance, this is a highly-rated 3.5-hour food tour that takes you to local pubs, artisan stores, and bakeries, as well as the Borough Market.
Along the way, you’ll taste all kinds of British classics, such as fish n chips, Lincolnshire sausage, London ale, fresh tea, a traditional British dessert, and a few more items! So if you’re a foodie, I’d consider a food tour!
✅ Check rates & availability for this delicious London food tour
3. Escape the Chaos of London With a Day Trip
If you’re like me and come from a smaller city, visiting massive cities such as Paris, Barcelona, and Stockholm can be overwhelming at times.
One of the best ways to take a break from the hustle and bustle of London but still make the most of your time in the area is to do a lil day trip to the beautiful countryside around it!
The most popular day trip from London is to Stonehenge, which dates back to 5,000 years ago and is arguably the most famous prehistoric monument around the world. But, don’t worry — even if you aren’t into seeing ancient rocks, this day trip also involves visiting Windsor Castle and Bath!
And if you have a bit more time, there are plenty of other day trips to places like the Cotswolds, the Cliffs of Dover, and many beautiful castles. But, if I had to choose, I’d definitely say go with Stonehenge.
It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that allows you to connect with a time period that predates even the Great Pyramids of Giza!
Check rates & availability for this awesome day trip to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, & Bath
4. Stroll Around Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of London’s largest parks and is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon. The park itself is huge, with over 350 acres of outdoor space that includes a lake, gardens, and even a few restaurants!
Just walking around the grounds can be enough to make you feel relaxed after being surrounded by the commotion of the city.
Oh, and by Serpentine Lake, there’s a little food court pavilion-type thing that serves some pretty good freshly baked goods that I enjoyed.
5. Be a Shameless Tourist
If it’s your first time in London, don’t miss out on the tourist hot spots! After all, no visit to London is complete without seeing and taking some pictures at Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square.
And, if you’re short on time but still want to maximize your time and sightseeing, you can opt to take a walking tour with a local expert guide. They will not only ensure you see the best bits, but actually learn some of the histories behind the famous landmarks!
Wimbledon: FAQ
Although you’re allowed to wear whatever you’d like, so long as there’s no crude imagery or curse words, most people at Wimbledon wear nicer clothes. Lots of girls in sun dresses with hats and guys in button-downs and khakis.
The one thing I would say is to just check the weather forecast. London weather is very capricious. They even give out stickers that say, “I survived the queue in the rain” and vice versa for the sun, which I enjoyed bringing home as a free souvenir.
Yes — You can bring outside food and drinks to Wimbledon! That said, there are a few rules you have to follow, namely, picnic baskets, coolers, flasks, and camping chairs are not allowed inside the venue. See the full list of what is and is not allowed.
Yes, with digital tickets, you can easily leave Wimbledon and come back on the same day without any trouble.
The quick answer is yes! If you visit outside the two-week Championship tournament, you can take an official tour of the grounds. The tour allows you to see various courts, the broadcast area, Henman Hill, and possibly Murray Mound.
I also highly recommend taking some time to visit the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, which is the largest museum dedicated to tennis. Here, visitors can explore the illustrious history and many traditions of Wimbledon.
You’ll find lots of interactive games, displays, and a wide gamut of exhibitions. Furthermore, you can observe the trophies up close, see all kinds of relics from the famous tournament, and experience the energetic atmosphere of Centre Court through a virtual reality tour.
Honestly, touring the grounds and the museum is a must-experience for anyone with any interest in tennis. In fact, I would dare say even those who don’t know much about tennis would have a blast!
Wrap-Up: Ultimate Guide for How to Queue for Wimbledon (2024)
Taking part in the century-old tradition of the Wimbledon Queue is an amazing and unforgettable experience.
Even if you make a few mistakes, or arrive completely unprepared like my first time at Wimbledon, you’re still sure to have a wonderful time. There’s nothing quite like being surrounded by thousands of people who all share a common love of tennis.
Not to mention, it feels pretty great when you can secure an excellent seat for $200 or less when that very seat would normally cost $10,000! And then to top it off, you get to see your favorite tennis players in action up close!
I’ll never forget how insane the crowd went when Rafa and Roger walked onto Centre Court. The energy was unmatched (tennis pun intended!), and I couldn’t believe how larger-than-life they looked. Seriously, I know I’m small, but they just have a presence that commands the attention of everyone.
Ultimately, I hope this guide helps you with planning your Wimbledon experience and that you have an amazing time! As always, feel free to contact me with any questions. I also can advise on the French Open and the US Open!
Cheers,
Kristin
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