Did you know that...
The hill fort on Wimbledon Common was built in the Iron Age meaning that the area was established as a settlement since then or even earlier. In a 967 document, the area is referred to as Wimbedounyng. The name derives from “Wynnman’s dun”. Wynnman is a proper name and dun the Celtic word for hill.
The area in southwest London is the best known for the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club that is located here in Church Road. However, the tennis Grand Slam tournament is not the only thing to see in Merton.
Wimbledon Championship is the world’s oldest tennis tournament. It was first held in 1877 at All England Club. There aren’t any sponsorship advertisements around the court. Strawberries and cream are a favorite snack at the tournament. The longest match took 11 hours.
The police drama The Bill was filmed in Merton. Rolling Stones member Ronnie Wood lived in Merton Park from 1986 until 1991. Artist William Morris, diplomat William Hamilton, and director Ray Austin are famous people associated with the area.
The Bill, the police investigation show which ran from 1984 to 2010 was filmed for the most part in Wimbledon Merton SW19.
Wimbledon Merton SW19 is home to one of the largest video game developer and publisher. The European branch of Square Enix is located in this area. The studio created Batman: Arkham Asylum, Just Cause, Deus Ex, Hitman, and Tomb Raider series.
The variety of attractions and leisure choices can spoil Wimbledon visitors. There are Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, Wimbledon Society Museum of Local History, New Wimbledon Theatre, and Windmill Museum, also a variety of shops, cinemas, restaurants, and pubs.
For those who are heading for the great outdoors, there are Cannizaro Park, Wimbledon Park, Raynes Park, Richmond Park, Merton Park, Wimbledon Common, Merton Abbey Mills, and even more.