Let’s face it- most of us don’t get a chance to get anywhere near the ballot for Wimbledon.
Gone are the daydreams of sidling up to Paul Bettany in tiny white shorts, but we digress. Unless you fancy waiting in line for a day ticket early in the morning, or queuing the night before, you’re going to have to resign yourself to the fact that, for another year, you won’t be at centre court catching a glimpse of Tom Hiddleston or Kate Middleton as their heads pass back and forth on a swivel.
So, for us it’s either the quiet thwack of tennis balls bouncing around our homes for two weeks, or a live screening out in the buzz of it all- and both of these are possibly as quintessential an english tradition as you can get.
Of course, you might really love watching it from the comfort of your home (and we wouldn’t blame you- after all, home is where it’s at for us, too), but just in case you’re inclined to more of an occasion, we’ve done some of the hard work for you. Take a look through this ace list of places to watch this years grunts and lunges from the oldest tennis tournament in the world- and we’re not just talking the usual strawberries and cream, either. Oh, no…
Strawberries & Screen, Duke of York Square
First off the racket? You can’t go wrong with an old favourite. Many Londoners head to Duke of York Square pop-up to enjoy the matches, and this year is no different. If you fancy being in the thick of it, or you’ve just finished work and fancy popping in, this is the screening for you. Fans can watch live screenings of the men’s semi’s, women’s final and men’s final all while enjoying some culinary treats from The Chelsea Grocer. All the classics, too: strawberries, cream and Pimms all on your own picnic blanket, or you can book a very VIP deckchair if you’re feeling upmarket.
On Saturday, the Fine Food Market will be there to offset the Pimms. And the icing on the cake? There’ll be mini tennis session for the kids too- so consider this a family outing.
BST Hyde Park Open House
Time to rally the whole family. For those of you who need to entertain the kids, BTS Hyde Park serves up everything you need. On Monday 30th June, free entry gets you a treasure trove of activities. The massive screen ensures you won’t miss a swing, no matter where you’re chasing the little nippers to- not that you’ll have much minding to do. There are tennis sessions for the kids, cricket coaching sessions from the coaches at Lord’s Cricket Ground, and even a chance to sit in a real tractor or digger truck. We don’t know what it is about huge machinery and kids, but they don’t half love a good tractor.
After the match? You can stay and have a boogie with Kennedy Taylor DJ, and watch Garfield the movie at 5.30pm. And if they’re still not worn out? The South London Samba at 7pm will get them tired in no time. Then it’s a tube ride home, and an early night for them. And probably you, too.
Check out their full schedule here: BTS Hyde Park Open House
The Bluebird, Chelsea
If you fancy yourself a slightly boujier upgrade (we certainly won’t fault you for it), the long-standing Chelsea establishment The Bluebird is offering something firmly up your street. They’re covering every match on the big screen, from day one all the way through to the nail-biting finals. Your nerves will be well and truly settled by a menu of Mirabeau G&T’s, including ‘Match Point,’ a Mirabeau Gin paired with mandarin and bergamot soda. Starting at £90, tickets will not only secure you an enviable spot on the Terrace, but also covers you for some seriously summery treats: strawberries and cream topped with honeycomb biscuit and mint and a ‘grand slam parfait,’ where pistachio parfait, sour cherries and Dubai chocolate will have you coming back for another ticket. And probably another.
Eccleston Yards, Belgravia Village
You want something exclusive, but with a casual feel? Eccleston Yards courtyard in Belgravia Village is the perfect match. This almost-secret spot will be offering the usual trendy fare (Morena, the Jones Family Kitchen and Wild By Tart to name a few), with the addition of a pop-up bar and 100 seats available of varying degrees of comfort: bean bags, deck chairs and picnic benches. A trüfrü pop-up will be supplying frozen chocolate-covered strawberries (yum), and amie wine will be supplying the cold beverages. And if the sun is truly scorching the court, Malin + Goetz will be popping up outside Barry’s in the Yards to sell sunscreen and deodorant.
The Mandarin x Ralph Lauren
If you’re travelling from afar and rather fancy elevating your Wimbledon experience a notch further, look no further than The Mandarin Oriental Hotel for somewhere to stay. This landmark hotel is offering a complimentary shopping experience with Ralph Lauren, the official outfitters of Wimbledon 2025. Either visit any of the three nearby Ralph Lauren stores, or you can shop from the comfort of your room or suite. Make sure to send your clothing size and preferences in beforehand for the ultimate customised experience.
“Whether you are putting together a complete ensemble, or seeking the perfect finishing touch, Ralph Lauren ensures that you are dressed to perfection for the British summer season.”
With their signature preppy style, Ralph Lauren are taking their collaboration with Wimbledon into full swing, with live-screening pop-ups on New Bond Street, to an alfresco dining terrace inside the tournament grounds. Their flagship store has once again been adorned with court-green stripes and floral accents, with a coffee pop-up and a “Create Your Own” shop, where customers can personalise their items such as the iconic Polo shirt with exclusive Wimbledon designs.
Covent Garden Piazza
& Kings Cross Canal
Are you more the type to pop your head through the door every now and again and ask, ‘what’s the score?’ than watch the full match?
Well then, a more informal, impromptu screening spot might suit you best. Consider these two firm favourites, putting you in the beating heart of the city, but never too far from the shops if you need a break from the grunting.
Covent Garden Piazza covers all the quintessential british summer vibes by supplying the Pimms from The Crepe Stop, but you might have to fight with a tourist for a striped deck chair. Though potentially hard-won, it will be worth it to soak in the impossibly seductive atmosphere of a London summer at its finest.
And if you’re rushing off the train or out of a meeting and desperate to see if it’s Alcaraz or Djokovic in the lead, then Kings Cross Canal is a great place to plonk with an iced coffee or sandwich in hand, with the added benefit of being on a sunny riverside.
Chester Racecourse
Not in London? Fear not. Chester Racecourse will be screening the Wimbledon Live Final from The White Horse and The White Horse Garden. The tickets are priced at £45pp for adults, £30pp for children (children under two go free), which includes Pimms on arrival with a Pimms truck on-site to keep you topped up through the day, as well as Afternoon Tea with picnic faves to follow throughout the event, strawberries and cream (at this point, we’d be surprised if anywhere wasn’t offering strawberries and cream), and of course, big screen viewing, so nobody misses a thing.
Plymouth Piazza
Wimbledon returns to Plymouth this summer with an exciting twist – think live tennis screenings, food and drink, and the chance to try one of the UK’s fastest growing sports, Padel, all on the Piazza. Over 200 deckchairs will be set out in a specially enclosed viewing area, allowing visitors to relax and soak up the electric atmosphere. Entry is completely free, making it the perfect summer experience for tennis fans, families, and city centre visitors alike.
Not only that, but a variety of traders will be on hand serving up themed treats including fresh strawberries, glasses of Pimm’s or Prosecco, and traditional fish and chips
An extra bit of fun? Jake Bewley, currently ranked No. 4 UK Padel player, will be playing exhibition matches in the city centre on the 11th & 12th July, so if you’ve been trying to get your kids (or yourself) onto the court, this is your best chance.
And for those with itchy-footed children, Wild Things Play Project will be adding a sprinkle of creativity and fun to the Wimbledon Big Screen event: throughout the tennis fortnight, families can enjoy a free creative pop-up stand, offering a playful escape right in the heart of the city. Every family who visits the stand will receive a voucher for a free drink at Wild Things Play Project in Drake Circus – just a short stroll away.
Wimbledon Championships 2025 will be played over 14 days from Monday 30 June – Sunday 13 July.