If you’re a fan of tennis, then no doubt you’ve heard about the historic All England Club.
The venue for the Wimbledon Championships, the club is a members only affair with entry to the public reserved for the Championship matches only, but there is a way that you can pay a visit to this iconic London landmark while staying at the Park Grand Kensington.
Here is a quick guide to the history behind the All England Club and details of how you can visit this world-famous stadium without having to pay for a pricey private membership thanks to the fascinating museum and daily guided tours of the grounds.
The history of the All England Club
Originally opened in 1868 as a venue for the wealthy to enjoy a game of croquet, the club started life as a croquet centre before introducing tennis as an activity in the 1870s. The club has hosted many competitions over the years and has become an epicentre of tennis excellence with thousands of visitors flocking to the club every year.
Still the only Grand Slam tennis venue to play on grass, the courts are used by members year round, apart from during the Championships themselves. The Grand Slam tournament, traditionally held the last week of June and first week of July each year has overtaken the club in terms of international recognition.
The All England Club Museum and Tours
Although you’d have to become a member of the club to play a game of tennis while staying at the Park Grand Kensington, you can pay a visit to the club’s popular museum and take a guided tour of the grounds before this year’s Championships begin.
A wonderful way to spend a sunny morning in London, the museum is open from 10 am – 5 pm seven days a week, so you’ll have plenty of time look at all of the exhibitions, displays and get a real feel for the venue before heading back to your hotel to enjoy a delicious Indian afternoon tea.
If you’ll be joining us on one of our romantic hotel packages London, enjoy a hearty breakfast at the Grand Park restaurant before heading off to the club as you’ll want to be full of energy to browse through the many sporting mementoes that the museum has become so famous for.
Getting to the club from the Park Grand Kensington
Once you’ve finished your breakfast at the Park Grand restaurant, take a stroll to Earl’s Court tube station located just a few minutes’ walk away and hop on the District line to Southfield station. The journey should take just twenty minutes.
The club is a short walk away, so you’ll easily be able to spend a few hours enjoying everything the museum and grounds have to offer before heading back to experience an Indian afternoon tea as the perfect ending to a perfect afternoon.
Just don’t forget to take your camera along during your visit as there’s plenty of things to see that you’ll want to remember for many years to come.
