Charter Guide for Wimbledon 2022

Photo by Shep McAllister on Unsplash

This year Wimbledon celebrates 100 years in its current location on Church Road, moving from its previous place on Worple Road in 1922. Beginning in 1877 with an advertisement proposing a tennis tournament “open to all amateurs” with 22 participants and hosting 200 total attendees at the finals, Wimbledon attracted over 500,000 visitors in 2019.

If you’re heading to Wimbledon, be sure and check out the top UK-based charter operators from AIr Charter Guide to arrive in style. On the courts, the 2022 edition will be held from June 27 to July 10 and promises fierce competition, celebrations and opportunities to immerse yourself in Wimbledon history. Before your wheels touch down, here are a few choice explorations about the experience. Visit the Wimbledon website to immerse yourself before arrival if you want more information.

Getting Around

The All England Lawn and Tennis Club (AELTC) is the host of Wimbledon and is situated on Church Road. During The Championships, the roads around AELTC are closed. Off-site parking is available, but for 2022, parking passes need to be pre-booked. There is no on-site payment option available.

The closest metro stations are Southfield and Wimbledon. Southfield is a 5-minute walk to Wimbledon Park and a 15-minute walk to Gate 1. Anyone with limited mobility arriving at Southfield Station should proceed to Augustus Road, where a dedicated cab service for The Championship is available.

If you pull into either station, there are taxis available outside. If you want to catch a cab at the end of the day, you’ll need to go to Gate 4 for Southfield Station and points North, and Gate 13 for Wimbledon Station and points South. A tram system runs during The Championship from Wimbledon Station also.

What to Expect

Gates open at 10 am, and matches begin at 11 am on outside courts with court No. 1 and Centre Court matches beginning at 1 pm and 1:30 pm. According to the Wimbledon website, the grounds can get crowded, so it’s recommended to allow plenty of time for getting around. It’s clear from the website that mobile tickets are the easiest. If you are picking up tickets, don’t forget your ID and proof of address (issued in the last three months), which matches the information used to purchase the ticket.

If you plan to leave the grounds and come back, you’ll need to obtain a pass-out wristband first. These are only available at Gates 5 and 13. Be sure to have your ticket scanned by staff before exiting or entering.

AELTC boasts 38 courts total; the 18 championship courts will be where you find the action at Wimbledon. As you watch matches unfold, be mindful of the time and precision invested in the upkeep of lawn tennis courts. Maintained at a length of 8mm and purposefully kept in dry soil to keep the surface firm, the maintenance of courts at Wimbledon is no small feat. A delicate balance is struck between keeping soil conditions firm and the grass green.

Find the lemony gin and fruit drink called a Pimm’s No. One Cup for the full Wimbledon effect. An order of Strawberries and Cream will complete your Championship palette experience. Wimbledon commits to choice, provenance, and quality when sourcing its food. Strawberries are picked 31 miles away in Kent each morning before being served to guests; chicken arrives from Suffolk and Montgomery cheddar from Somerset. Fresh ingredients sourced locally and ethically underpin the culinary experience at Wimbledon. See a detailed map of where ingredients came from in 2021 here.

Fun Facts

You may notice a lack of birds calling the area around Wimbledon home. It’s not an anomaly but a result of Rufus, the hawk. Rufus is up and working before guests and competitors arrive at the stadium during The Championship. At 9 am, trainer Imogen Davis releases him to make local pigeons looking to roost aware that AELTC isn’t the place for them.

There’s a lot to celebrate this year at Wimbledon with Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee, 100 years on Church Road, and 95 years of partnership with the BBC. On Middle Sunday, July 3rd, matches will be scheduled for the first time with a special ceremony to honor 100 years between matches.

Keep an eye on the coin flip also this year. The World Platinum Investment Council will present a unique commemorative coin to recognize AELTC’s century of lawn tennis excellence and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration.