Want to watch Wimbledon? Of course you do- the Championships are one of the biggest events in sport, and the most prestigious in tennis. If you can’t get into the courts themselves, there’s still plenty of great places to watch on screens across London.
As the only one of the four big Open tournaments still played on grass, the event calls for idyllic outdoor venues to sit and watch the big matches. We’ve made a list of the best screens to catch the tennis on in the capital for every game, set and match.
Portman Square Garden
Baker Street Quarter’s Summer in the Square located in Portman Square, Marylebone is returning for 2022, and there’s plenty to do, with wellness activities and arts and crafts workshops. There’s also a large to screen to watch the tennis action on and deckchairs to sit on and bask in the sun. There’s plenty of food stalls to visit too, so there’s ample time to visit everything.
Where: 55 Baker St, London W1U 8EW
Website: www.bakerstreetq.co.uk
Duke of York Square
The Duke of York Square is once again hosting the punnily named Strawberries and Screen, and will be doing so for the Men’s Semi Finals and the Men’s and Women’s Singles Finals. The very lovely venue will be serving up hampers courtesy of Partridge, and a pop up stall selling the classic strawberry and cream combo. There’s plenty of deckchairs to recline in and green space to sit with a blanket on, and the action will be shown on a giant screen.
Where: 80 King’s Rd, London SW3 4LY
Website: dukeofyorksquare.com
Design District Canteen
Pop over to the O2 in Greenwich for the last two days of Wimbledon and you’ll find the Design District Canteen is displaying the final weekend action on a big screen in a delicious food hub. You’ll find plenty of amazing grub to chomp on as your watch the matches fold, and a fab bar serving cocktails, wines, spirits and craft beer to quench your thirst- as well as classic Wimbledon beverage Pimms. There’s also The Kid’s Table team who’ll provide arts and crafts sessions to kids while their parents watch the tennis.
Where: Soames Walk, London SE10 0AX
Website: designdistrictcanteen.co.uk/
Vinegar Yard
We recently included Vinegar Yard in our roundup of the best foodie places to go to in London- and its also once of the best places to go to watch Wimbledon in the city too. There’s plenty of really tasty food and drink to have here (read our foodie article for more) and is located just next to London Bridge station. You can sip a delicious cocktail in the lovely surroundings while you watch, and it’s not just Wimbledon being shown- Glastonbury and even Love Island will be screened throughout the coming weeks, too. Bookings can be found on the website.
Where: 72-82 ST THOMAS ST, LONDON SE1 3QX
Website: www.vinegaryard.london/
St James’ Market
The lovely St James’ Market will also be showing the tennis this year, in partnership with RADO. You can grab yourself a deckchair and enjoy all the coverage on one of the biggest free outdoor screens in London, right in the heart of the city. Not only that, there’s a fantastic selection of local restaurants where you can treat yourself to some amazing food, and takeaway to have as a picnic.
Where: Regent Street, London SW1Y 4NR
Website: stjameslondon.co.uk
The Bluebird
The Bluebird in Chelsea is welcoming all to come and watch the Championships on its idyllic terrace. The bar will have its big screen up from 1st of July, and you can enjoy the matches with alfresco dining and drinks at your leisure. It’ll be serving up all its signature cocktails and summery beverages to keep you going through any marathon tiebreaks.
Where: 350 King’s Road, London SW3 5UU
Website: www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk
The Screen on the Canal
The Screen on the Canal at King’s Cross is as you’d expect- a large screen next to a canal, and its home to a brilliant film festival that takes place each year, showing family classics and the latest blockbusters. But before all that in the evening, the screen will be showing the tennis at SW19 until 5pm for its two week duration, and it’s a great place to have a nice, breezy break by the canal. There’s also the Tour de France being shown here if you’re a fan of the cycling too. Just make sure not to fall into the water when practising your best backspin.
Where: Canalside Steps, Granary Square, King’s Cross, London
Website: www.kingscross.co.uk
Eccleston Yards
The community of restaurants, retailers and market stalls that is Eccleston Yards is another great choice for a place to watch Wimbledon this year, running for the full two weeks of the competition. You’ll be able to see every ace, fault and tiebreak as you sit in the courtyard, while sipping a glass of wine from the Aime Wine Studio if that takes your fancy. You can also indulge in plenty of shopping and outdoor dining during the summer here too.
Where: 21 Eccleston Pl, London SW1W 9NF
Website: www.belgravialdn.com
Murray Mound/Henman Hill/Radacanu Ridge
It goes by many names depending on which British pro is grabbing the headlines in the tennis world, but the grassy banked area within the grounds of the All England Lawn Tennis Club remains an iconic place to go and watch the Championships. If you have access to the grounds (you’ll need a ticket on the day), you can go and sit here and gawp up at the giant screen outside No.1 Court watching the tennis maestros at work. There’s nearly always vox pops going on, and the broadcast cameras often zoom in over the area during match downtime, so you can wave and grin like a goon to your friends at home.
Where: The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Church Road, Wimbledon, London SW19
Website: www.wimbledon.com
The Piazza
Want to be close to the action but unable to get tickets for the grounds? There’s always The Piazza in Wimbledon Town Centre, about a 20 to 30 minute walk away from the club itself. It’s right on The Broadway street that comes down from Wimbledon Village, and a large fake grass rug is rolled out in front of a giant screen for when the Championships are in town. You can grab a deckchair (for free) and take in the action on a big screen, or just find a spot to sit and stand. All of Wimbledon Town’s shops and restaurants are right there close to you, including a Morrison’s (or Murraysons when the Scot was at his peak) to pop into for any essentials.
Where: The Piazza, Wimbledon, London SW19 1QB United Kingdom
Home House
No centre court tickets? That’s not a problem thanks to Home House and their giant pop-up screen showcasing the best of the Wimbledon highlights. See the tennis stars battle it out for the trophy in the private members’ club’s gorgeous garden. Pair the occasion with a cocktail or two and a selection of delicacies from their special Wimbledon menu – think Pimm’s jelly with cucumber sorbet; coconut and mint semifreddo dark chocolate ice lolly; and a classic strawberries and cream selection.
wherE: 20 Portman Square, W1H 6LW
website: www.homehouse.co.uk
