If going to Wimbledon has been on your bucket list for years, I completely get it. There’s nothing quite like it. But if you have ever tried to figure out how to actually get there, get in, and make the most of your day, you will know it can feel surprisingly complicated before you have even left the house.
I recently my first time at Wimbledon and get a proper look around, including a behind the scenes tour of the grounds before the championship even opened. I am sharing everything I learned so you can walk in feeling completely prepared, whether you are going this year or already planning ahead for next.
Did You Know??
The first thing to know, and this genuinely surprises people, is that Wimbledon is a private members club. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club was founded in 1868, originally as a croquet club, and tennis was added almost as an afterthought. For two weeks every summer they open the doors to the world for The Championships, and it is one of those rare events that completely lives up to the hype.
It is also the only Grand Slam in the world still played on grass. The US Open, the French Open, the Australian Open are all hard court or clay. The grass at Wimbledon is cut to exactly 8mm during the tournament and is 100% rye grass, which is part of what makes the whole thing feel completely different from any other tennis event.
When is Wimbledon 2026?
Wimbledon 2026 runs from Monday 29 June to Sunday 12 July at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in SW19, London.
How to Get Wimbledon Tickets
One of the biggest questions people ask is how do you actually get Wimbledon tickets. The honest answer is there are three real routes and most people only know about one of them.
The ballot
The public ballot opens every September and closes a few months later. You apply online, one application per household, and find out the following spring whether you have been successful. It is the most popular route but also the most unpredictable. If you want to try for next year, bookmark wimbledon.com and apply as soon as the ballot opens in September.
The Queue
This is the one that feels very Wimbledon. Each day, tickets are held back and sold on the door on a first come, first served basis. To be in with a real chance of a show court ticket you need to arrive at around 4am, with gates opening at 10:30am. A Grounds Pass costs around £30 and gets you onto the site, the outside courts and Henman Hill, but not Centre Court, Court One or Court Two. The first 500 people in the queue each day get the chance to buy a Centre Court ticket, which is why the early start is genuinely worth it. You can also camp overnight, and there is official tent storage on site so you do not have to carry everything with you.
I sat next to the grass at Centre Court!!
The grounds tour (available all year round)
If you want to get inside Wimbledon without the early morning queue, you can book a guided tour of the grounds and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum directly through the official website at bookings.wimbledon.com. Museum-only tickets start at £15 for adults and £10 for children aged five to fifteen. There is also a family offer, use code FAMILY for one free child place per full-paying adult. The tour takes you to Centre Court, Henman Hill, the press interview room and more, and it is available all year round, so it makes a brilliant gift for a tennis lover too or if it’s your first time at Wimbledon.
Where to Park at Wimbledon
One of my favourite tips from the day: check JustPark for local parking spots near the grounds. I rented a space at a Buddhist temple, which was beautiful, peaceful and about a 10 to 15 minute walk away. I paid around £40 including the admin fee. justpark.com is where to look.
What You Can and Cannot For Your first time at wimbledon 2026
This trips people up every year, especially if it’s their first time at Wimbledon. Bags are limited to 40cm x 30cm x 30cm, one per person, so pack light. No hard-sided containers, cool boxes or picnic hampers. The good news is you can bring your own picnic and one bottle of champagne or wine per person (750ml), or two cans of beer or cider. That is the detail that makes a Wimbledon day feel genuinely special even if you are on a budget.
Henman Hill
Your £30 Grounds Pass includes access to Henman Hill, officially called Aorangi Terrace. It is the large grassy bank where everyone gathers to watch the big screen showing the Centre Court matches live. On a sunny afternoon with strawberries and a glass of Pimm’s, it is honestly one of the best atmospheres in British sport.
The Outside Courts
If you have a Grounds Pass, do not spend the whole day on Henman Hill. One of the best things about Wimbledon in the first week is the outside courts, where you can get incredibly close to world class players practising and competing, sometimes with just a handful of people watching. It is extraordinary tennis for £30. If you love finding ways to make the most of brilliant days out without overspending, head to my budgeting section for more.
The Wimbledon Museum
The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is the world’s largest tennis museum and it is absolutely brilliant. Trophies, memorabilia, clothing from the biggest names in tennis across the decades, and so much history. It is also wonderfully cool inside, which on a hot day is a genuine bonus. Tickets from £15 for adults and £10 for children. Book at bookings.wimbledon.com. There is also a family offer with code FAMILY.
The Brand New Shop
For 2026 there is a brand new shop on site and it is enormous, about five times the size of the previous one. Everything from Wimbledon clothing and accessories to keyrings, pins, water bottles, reed diffusers and Christmas decorations. A lot of the stock is exclusive to the store, so if you want a proper memento of your day, this is the place.
The (iconic!) Strawberries
Strawberries and cream are £2.85 per punnet in 2026 are a must for anyone’s first time at Wimbledon. They are grown at Hugh Lowe Farm in Kent and picked fresh every single day, which is why they taste so extraordinary. The packaging is fully sustainable, made from seaweed. The price is kept deliberately accessible so that everyone can enjoy them, which I love. Combined with your bottle of wine from home, you have a proper Wimbledon afternoon sorted.
Pre-Order a Picnic
You can pre-order an official Wimbledon picnic through the website at wimbledon.com/picnic. The hamper includes sandwiches (available in vegan, veggie, gluten-free and meat options), scones, cakes, cutlery, plates and a food waste bag. Express picnics are also available to buy on the day at the Walled Garden Larder and Tea Lawn Larder, subject to availability.
What to Wear and Bring
The dress code is for players only, not spectators, so wear whatever you like. But think practically if it’s your first time at Wimbledon. There is very limited shade at the courts and on Henman Hill, so on a hot day you will feel it. I would recommend:
- A wide brim hat
- Sun cream
- A portable fan
- A reusable water bottle
- Flat comfortable shoes, you will walk a lot
- Something to sit on if you are on the Hill
You can find all my hot weather Wimbledon essentials on my Amazon storefront.
Getting There
The nearest tube stations are Southfields on the District line, a short walk to the grounds, or Wimbledon itself which has more connections but is slightly further. There is also a dedicated Championships bus during the tournament. If you are planning a bigger London or UK trip around Wimbledon, I have lots of travel guides to help.
Useful Links
- Tickets and info
- Museum and tour booking
- Picnic pre-order
- Parking
- Hot weather essentials
- Watch my full Wimbledon video
Have you been to Wimbledon before? If this is first time at Wimbledon then let me know in the comments what your experience was like, or if you have any questions before you go.
