Editing Wimbledon, London

{{Short description|Town in England, United Kingdom}}
{{For|the tennis tournament in London|Wimbledon Championships}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Wimbledon
| static_image_name = Wimbledon.jpg
| static_image_caption = Wimbledon town centre
| map_type = Greater London
| coordinates = {{coord|51.422|-0.208|display=inline,title}}
| population = 68,187
| population_ref = ([[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 Census]])
| os_grid_reference = TQ239709
| london_borough = Merton
| region = Greater London
| country = England
| post_town = LONDON
| postcode_area = SW
| postcode_district = SW18 (part), SW19 and SW20
| dial_code = 020
| constituency_westminster = [[Wimbledon (UK Parliament constituency)|Wimbledon]]
}}
'''Wimbledon''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɪ|m|b|əl|d|ə|n}}) is a suburb of southwest London, England, {{convert|7.0|mi|km|1}} southwest of [[Charing Cross]]; it is the main commercial centre of the [[London Borough of Merton]]. Wimbledon had a population of 68,187 in 2011 which includes the electoral wards of Abbey, Wimbledon Town and Dundonald, Hillside, Wandle, Village, Raynes Park and Wimbledon Park.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://data.london.gov.uk/2011-census-ward-pop |title=2011 Census Ward Population Estimates &#124; London DataStore |access-date=26 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222202755/http://data.london.gov.uk/2011-census-ward-pop |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

It is home to the [[Wimbledon Championships]] and [[New Wimbledon Theatre]], and contains [[Wimbledon Common]], one of the largest areas of [[common land]] in London. The residential and retail area is split into two sections known as the "village" and the "town", with the High Street being the rebuilding of the original medieval village, and the "town" having first developed gradually after the building of the railway station in 1838.

Wimbledon has been inhabited since at least the [[Iron Age]] when the [[hill fort]] on Wimbledon Common is thought to have been constructed. In 1086 when the [[Domesday Book]] was compiled, Wimbledon was part of the manor of [[Mortlake]]. The ownership of the manor of Wimbledon changed between various wealthy families many times during its history, and the area also attracted other wealthy families who built large houses such as Eagle House, [[Wimbledon Manor House]] and [[Cannizaro park|Warren House]].

The village developed with a stable rural population coexisting with nobility and wealthy merchants from the city. In the 18th century the ''Dog and Fox'' public house became a stop on the [[stagecoach]] run from London to [[Portsmouth]], then in 1838 the [[London and South Western Railway]] (L&SWR) opened a station to the southeast of the village at the bottom of Wimbledon Hill. The location of the station shifted the focus of the town's subsequent growth away from the original village centre.

Wimbledon was a [[Municipal Borough of Wimbledon|municipal borough]] in the county of Surrey from 1905 to 1965,<ref name="gazette27798">{{London Gazette |issue=27798 |date=26 May 1905 |pages=3765–3768}}</ref> when it became part of the London Borough of Merton as part of the creation of [[Greater London]].

Wimbledon has established [[minority groups]]; among the prominent ones being [[British Asian]]s (mainly [[British Pakistanis]] and [[British Sri Lankans]]), [[Ghanaians in the United Kingdom|British Ghanaian]]s, [[Polish people|Poles]] and [[Irish people]].

Nearby major settlements include [[Morden]], [[Mitcham]], [[Colliers Wood]], [[Raynes Park]], [[Roehampton]], [[Southfields]], [[Putney]], [[Wimbledon Chase]], [[Merton Park]], [[New Malden]] and [[South Wimbledon]].

==History==
===Early history===
[[File:West end of Caesar's Camp, Wimbledon Common. - geograph.org.uk - 20689.jpg|thumb|Remains of the ditch between the two main ramparts of the Iron Age hill fort]]
Wimbledon has been inhabited since at least the [[Iron Age]] when the [[hill fort]] on [[Wimbledon Common]], the second-largest in London,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=52MDAAAAYAAJ&q=Wimbledon+Common&pg=PA29 |title=The parks, gardens, etc., of London and its suburbs, described and illustrated, for the guidance of strangers|author=Edward Kemp|page=29 |publisher=John Weale, 1851 |access-date=20 February 2011 |author-link=Edward Kemp (landscape architect)|year=1851}}</ref> is thought to have been constructed. The original [[nucleated village|nucleus]] of Wimbledon was at the top of the hill close to the common – the area now known locally as "the village".

The village is referred to as "Wimbedounyng" in a charter signed by [[Edgar of England|King Edgar the Peaceful]] in 967. The name Wimbledon means "Wynnman's hill", with the final element of the name being the Celtic "dun" (hill).<ref>Room, Adrian: "Dictionary of Place-Names in the British Isles", Bloomsbury, 1988</ref> The name is shown on J. Cary's 1786 map of the London area as "Wimbleton", and the current spelling appears to have been settled on relatively recently in the early 19th century, the last in a long line of variations.

At the time the [[Domesday Book]] was compiled (around 1086), Wimbledon was part of the [[Manorialism|manor]] of [[Mortlake]], and so was not recorded.<ref name="Wimbledon">{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45395 |title=Wimbledon |work=British History Online |publisher=british-history.ac.uk |access-date=21 February 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629193818/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45395 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ownership of the manor of Wimbledon changed hands many times during its history. The manor was held by the church until 1398 when [[Thomas Arundel]], [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] fell out of favour with [[Richard II of England|Richard II]] and was exiled. The manor was confiscated and became crown property.

The manor remained crown property until the reign of [[Henry VIII]] when it was granted briefly to [[Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex|Thomas Cromwell]], [[Earl of Essex]], until Cromwell was executed in 1540 and the land was again confiscated. The manor was next held by Henry VIII's last wife and widow [[Catherine Parr]] until her death in 1548 when it again reverted to the monarch.

In the 1550s, Henry's daughter, [[Mary I of England|Mary I]], granted the manor to [[cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] [[Reginald Pole]] who held it until his death in 1558 when it once again become royal property. Mary's sister, [[Elizabeth I]] held the property until 1574 when she gave the manor house (but not the manor) to [[Christopher Hatton]], who sold it in the same year to [[Thomas Cecil, 1st Earl of Exeter|Sir Thomas Cecil]], [[Earl of Exeter]]. The lands of the manor were given to the Cecil family in 1588 and a new manor house, [[Wimbledon Manor House|Wimbledon Palace]], was constructed and gardens laid out in the formal [[Elizabethan]] style.

===17th century===
Wimbledon's proximity to the capital was beginning to attract other wealthy families. In 1613 Robert Bell, Master of the [[Worshipful Company of Girdlers]] and a director of the [[British East India Company]] built Eagle House as a home at an easy distance from London. The Cecil family retained the manor for fifty years, before it was bought by [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] in 1638 for his Queen, [[Henrietta Maria]].

Following the [[Execution of Charles I|King's execution]] in 1649, the manor passed rapidly among various [[roundhead|parliamentarian]] owners, including the [[Leeds (UK Parliament constituency)|Leeds]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) [[Adam Baynes]] and the [[English Civil War|civil war]] general [[John Lambert (general)|John Lambert]]; Lambert drafted the [[Instrument of Government]], the founding document of [[the Protectorate]], at Wimbledon. After the [[English Restoration|restoration of the monarchy]] in 1660, it was returned to Henrietta Maria (now as mother of the new King, [[Charles II of England|Charles II]]).

The [[Dowager Queen]] sold the manor in 1661 to [[George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol]], who employed [[John Evelyn]] to improve and update the landscape in accordance with the latest fashions, including [[grotto]]s and fountains. After his death in 1677, the manor was sold again to the [[Lord High Treasurer]], [[Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds|Thomas Osborne]], [[Duke of Leeds|Earl of Danby]].

[[File:Stmaryswimbledonsw19.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[St Mary's Church, Wimbledon|St Mary's Church]]]]

===18th century===
The Osborne family sold the manor to [[Sir Theodore Janssen, 1st Baronet|Sir Theodore Janssen]] in 1712. Janssen, a director of the [[South Sea Company]], began a new house to replace the one built by the Cecils, but the spectacular collapse of the company meant it was never finished.

The next owner was [[Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough]], who increased the land belonging to the manor and completed the construction of a house to replace Jansen's unfinished effort in 1735. On her death in 1744, the property passed to her grandson, John Spencer, and subsequently to the first [[Earl Spencer (peerage)|Earl Spencer]].

The village continued to grow and the 18th-century introduction of [[stagecoach]] services from the ''Dog and Fox'' made the journey to London routine, although not without the risk of being held-up by [[Highwayman|highwaymen]], such as [[Jerry Abershawe]] on the [[Portsmouth]] Road. The stagecoach horses would be stabled at the rear of the pub in what are now named Wimbledon Village Stables.

The 1735 manor house burnt down in the 1780s and was replaced in 1801 by Wimbledon Park House, built by the [[George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer|second Earl]]. At the time the manor estate included Wimbledon Common (as a [[Heath (habitat)|heath]]) and the enclosed parkland around the manor house. Its area corresponded to the modern [[Wimbledon Park]]. The house stood east of [[St Mary's Church, Wimbledon|St Mary's church]].

Wimbledon House, a separate residence close to the village at the south end of Parkside (near Peek Crescent), was home in the 1790s to the exiled French statesman [[Charles Alexandre de Calonne|Vicomte de Calonne]], and later to the mother of the writer [[Frederick Marryat]]. Their association with the area is recorded in the names of nearby Calonne and Marryat roads. Directly south of the common, the early 18th-century Warren House ([[Cannizaro park|Cannizaro House]] from 1841) was home to a series of grand residents.

===19th-century development===
[[File:Wimbledon map.jpg|thumb|Wimbledon section of [[Edward Stanford]]'s 1871 map of London]]

The first decades of the 19th century were relatively quiet for Wimbledon, with a stable rural population coexisting alongside nobility and wealthy merchants from the city. Renewed upheaval came in 1838, when the opening of the [[London and South Western Railway]] (L&SWR) brought a station to the south-east of the village, at the bottom of Wimbledon Hill. The location of the station shifted the focus of the town's subsequent growth away from the original village centre.

For several years Wimbledon Park was leased to the [[Edward St Maur, 11th Duke of Somerset|Duke of Somerset]], who briefly in the 1820s employed a young [[Joseph Paxton]] as one of his gardeners, but in the 1840s the Spencer family sold the park off as building land. A period of residential development began with large detached houses in the north of the park. In 1864, the Spencers attempted to get parliamentary permission<ref name=Gazette1>{{London Gazette |date=25 November 1864 |issue=22915 |pages=5834–5835}}</ref> to [[enclosure|enclose]] the common as a new park with a house and gardens and to sell part for building. Following an enquiry, permission was refused and a board of conservators was established in 1871 to take ownership of the common and preserve it in its natural condition.<ref name=Gazette2>{{London Gazette |date=25 November 1870 |issue=23682 |pages=5244–5245}}</ref><ref name=Gazette3>{{London Gazette |date=18 August 1871 |issue=23768 |page=3643}}</ref>

In the second half of the century, Wimbledon experienced a very rapid expansion of its population. From under 2,700 residents recorded in the 1851 census, the population grew by a minimum of 60 per cent each decade up to 1901, to increase fifteen-fold in fifty years. Large numbers of villas and terraced houses were built along the roads from the centre towards neighbouring Putney, [[Merton Park]] and [[Raynes Park]].

Transport links improved further with railway lines to Croydon (Wimbledon and Croydon Railway, opened in 1855) and Tooting (Tooting, Merton and Wimbledon Railway, opened in 1868). The [[District Railway]] (now the [[London Underground]] [[District line]]) extended its service over new tracks from Putney in 1889.

The commercial and civic development of the town also accelerated. Ely's [[department store]] opened in 1876 and shops began to stretch along Broadway towards Merton. Wimbledon built its first police station in 1870. Cultural developments included a Literary Institute by the early 1860s and the opening of Wimbledon Library in 1887. The religious needs of the growing population led to an [[Anglican]] church-building programme, starting with the rebuilding of St Mary's Church in 1849 and the construction of Christ Church (1859) and Trinity Church (1862).

Street names reflect events: Denmark Road, Denmark Avenue and the ''Alexandra'' pub on Wimbledon Hill mark the marriage of [[Edward VII|Edward, Prince of Wales]], to Princess [[Alexandra of Denmark]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/10267280.heritage-wimbledons-danish-link-and-where-our-pub-names-come-from/|title=Wimbledon's Danish link and where our pub names come from|website=Wimbledon Times|date=8 March 2013 |access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref>

The change of character of Wimbledon from village to small town was recognised under the [[Local Government Act 1894]], which formed Wimbledon Urban District with an elected [[Local Government in the United Kingdom|council]].

===Modern history===
[[File:ISH Wimbledon3.jpg|thumb|left|Wimbledon Hill Road, looking north-west from Wimbledon Bridge]]
[[File:Old Town Hall, Wimbledon (geograph 1919455).jpg|thumb|[[Wimbledon Town Hall]], now a shopping centre]]
Wimbledon's population continued to grow in the early 20th century, as was recognised in 1905, when the urban district was incorporated as the [[Municipal Borough of Wimbledon]], with the power to select a mayor.<ref name="gazette27798"/>

By 1910, Wimbledon had established the beginnings of the [[Wimbledon School of Art]] at the Gladstone Road Technical Institute and acquired its first cinema and the theatre. Unusually, the facilities at its opening included [[Victorian Turkish baths|Victorian-style Turkish baths]].<ref>[http://www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/AtoZEstab/London/Wimbl/1WimblEng.htm Wimbledon Turkish Bath].</ref>

By the 1930s, residential expansion had peaked in Wimbledon and the new focus for local growth had moved to neighbouring [[Morden]], which had remained rural until the arrival of the Underground at [[Morden tube station|Morden station]] in 1926. [[Wimbledon station]] was rebuilt by the [[Southern Railway (UK)|Southern Railway]] with a simple Portland stone facade for the opening of a new railway branch line from Wimbledon to [[Sutton railway station (London)|Sutton]] in 1930.

In 1931, the council built a new red brick and [[Portland stone]] [[Wimbledon Town Hall|Town Hall]] next to the station, on the corner of Queen's Road and Wimbledon Bridge. The architects were [[Bradshaw Gass & Hope]].

[[File:Centre court.jpg|thumb|right|Centre Court Shopping Centre]]

Damage to housing stock in Wimbledon and other parts of London during [[World War II]] led to a final major building phase when many earlier Victorian houses with large grounds in Wimbledon Park were sub-divided into flats or demolished and replaced with apartment blocks. Other parts of Wimbledon Park, which had previously escaped being built upon, saw local authority estates constructed by the borough council, to house some of those who had lost their homes.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Wimbledon town centre struggled to compete commercially with more developed centres at [[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]] and [[Sutton, London|Sutton]]. Part of the problem was the shortage of locations for large anchor stores to attract customers. After some years in which the council seemed unable to find a solution, The [[Centre Court (shopping centre)|Centre Court shopping centre]] was developed on land next to the station, providing a much-needed focus, and opened in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merton.gov.uk/assets/Documents/FW%20SPD%20Jan%202020%20LR.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110102805/https://www.merton.gov.uk/assets/Documents/FW%20SPD%20Jan%202020%20LR.pdf |archive-date=10 November 2020 |url-status=live|title=Future Wimbledon: Supplementary Planning Document|publisher=Merton Council|access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref> The shopping centre incorporated the old town hall building. A new portico, in keeping with the old work, was designed by Sir [[George Grenfell Baines|George Grenfell-Baines]], who had worked on the original designs over fifty years before.

==Geography==
[[File:cmglee_London_Wimbledon_aerial.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Aerial view of Wimbledon from the north in August 2015, with Wimbledon Park (left) and the All-England Club, the venue for the Wimbledon Championships (right)]]
Wimbledon lies in the south-west area of London, {{Convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} south of [[Wandsworth]], {{Convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} south-west of [[Tooting]], three miles west of [[Mitcham]], {{Convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} north of [[Sutton, London|Sutton]] and {{Convert|3.5|mi|km}} east of [[Kingston upon Thames]], in [[Greater London]]. It is {{convert|7|mi|km|1}} south-west of [[Charing Cross]]. The area is identified in the [[London Plan]] as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.<ref name=london_plan_f08>{{cite web |url=http://www.london.gov.uk/thelondonplan/docs/londonplan08.pdf |author=Mayor of London |publisher=[[Greater London Authority]] |title=London Plan (Consolidated with Alterations since 2004) |date=February 2008 |author-link=Mayor of London |access-date=2 August 2009 |archive-date=2 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602000714/http://www.london.gov.uk/thelondonplan/docs/londonplan08.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

It is considered an affluent suburb with its grand Victorian houses, modern housing and low-rise apartments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxtons.co.uk/local-life/wimbledon-village/|title=Wimbledon Village Area Guide – What makes Wimbledon Village so great?|website=foxtons.co.uk|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref> The residential area splits into two sections: the village and the town,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kipb.ae/areas.html#wim |title=Primary Residential Areas in London |publisher=kipb.ae |access-date=21 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527051052/http://www.kipb.ae/areas.html#wim |archive-date=27 May 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with the village near the common centred on the High Street, being part of the original medieval village,<ref name="The London encyclopaedia">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wN_H-__MBpYC&pg=PA1026|title=The London Encyclopaedia|page=1026|author=Christopher Hibbert|author2=Ben Weinreb|author3=Julia Keay|author4=John Keay|author-link=Christopher Hibbert|publisher=[[Pan Macmillan]]|access-date=20 February 2011|isbn=9781405049245|year=2008}}</ref> and now a prime residential area of London commanding high prices, and the "town" being part of the modern development, centred on The Broadway, since the building of the railway station in 1838.

The majority of the adult population of around 68,200 adults belong to the [[NRS social grade|ABC1]] social group.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nsdatabase.co.uk/locationdetail.cfm?locationid=1682 |title=Location Report |publisher=nsdatabase.co.uk |access-date=21 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723052653/http://www.nsdatabase.co.uk/locationdetail.cfm?locationid=1682 |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The population grew from around 1,000 at the start of the 19th century to around 55,000 in 1911, a figure which has remained reasonably stable since.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk/tour.php?cat=19th&page=1 |title=Wimbledon Museum |publisher=wimbledonmuseum.org.uk |access-date=21 February 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Demography==
Wimbledon is covered by several wards in the London Borough of Merton, making it difficult to produce statistics for the town as a whole.

The largest ethnic groups (up to 10%) in the wards according to the 2011 census are:
*Village (northern areas and the village): 65% White British, 16% Other White<ref>{{cite web |author=Good Stuff IT Services |url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/village-e05000472 |title=Village – UK Census Data 2011 |publisher=Ukcensusdata.com |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
*Wimbledon Park (north-east): 60% White British, 18% Other White<ref>{{cite web |author=Good Stuff IT Services |url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/wimbledon-park-e05000474 |title=Wimbledon Park – UK Census Data 2011 |publisher=Ukcensusdata.com |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
*Hillside (west of centre): 56% White British, 20% Other White<ref>{{cite web |author=Good Stuff IT Services |url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/hillside-e05000462 |title=Hillside – UK Census Data 2011 |publisher=Ukcensusdata.com |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
*Dundonald (south of centre): 61% White British, 18% Other White<ref>{{cite web |author=Good Stuff IT Services |url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/dundonald-e05000459 |title=Dundonald – UK Census Data 2011 |publisher=Ukcensusdata.com |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>
*Raynes Park (west of centre): 61% White British, 16% Other White<ref>{{cite web |author=Good Stuff IT Services |url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/raynes-park-e05000469#sthash.VXG9AP6T.dpbs |title=Raynes Park – UK Census Data 2011 |publisher=Ukcensusdata.com |access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref> 
*Trinity (east from centre): 56% White British, 18% Other White<ref>{{cite web |author=Good Stuff IT Services |url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/trinity-e05000471 |title=Trinity – UK Census Data 2011 |publisher=Ukcensusdata.com |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>

==Governance and representation==
At the time the [[Domesday Book]] was compiled (around 1086), Wimbledon was part of the [[Manorialism|manor]] of Mortlake.<ref name="Wimbledon"/> From 1328 to 1536, a manor of Wimbledon was recorded as belonging to the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.wcraltd.co.uk/id15.html |title=New Short History of Wimbledon |author=Richard John Milward |publisher=Wimbledon Society, 1989 |access-date=21 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008092636/http://www.wcraltd.co.uk/id15.html |archive-date=8 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The manor of Wimbledon changed hands many times during its history. Wimbledon was an [[civil parish#Ancient parishes|Ancient Parish]] from the medieval period, later being re-organised as the Municipal Borough of Wimbledon within the county of [[Surrey]].

In 1965, the [[London Government Act 1963]] abolished the Municipal Borough of Wimbledon, [[Merton and Morden Urban District]] and the [[Municipal Borough of Mitcham]], creating instead the London Borough of Merton. Initially, the new administrative centre was at Wimbledon Town Hall, but it moved to the 14-storey Crown House in Morden in the early 1990s.

It is now the Parliamentary constituency of [[Wimbledon (UK Parliament constituency)|Wimbledon]], and since [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]] has been represented by [[Paul Kohler (politician)|Paul Kohler]], a [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] MP.

==Economy==
[[File:Wimbledon Centre Court Shopping.jpg|thumb|Inside the [[Centre Court (shopping centre)|Centre Court]] shopping centre]]
In 2012 the businesses in Wimbledon voted to introduce a Business Improvement District. "Love Wimbledon" was formed in April 2012, funded and managed by the business community to promote and enhance the town centre. Those who work within Wimbledon can apply for a 'Privilege Card' which provides discounts and benefits within the town centre.<ref>{{cite web|title=Love Wimbledon Privilege Card|url=https://lovewimbledon.org/privcard/| access-date=28 July 2022}}</ref>

The UK's leading car-sharing company [[Zipcar]] has its UK headquarters in Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Homepage |url=http://www.zipcar.com/london/office |access-date=14 February 2013 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603105620/http://www.zipcar.com/london/office |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other notable organisations with head offices in Wimbledon include [[CIPD]], Ipsotek, [[United Response]], the [[Communication Workers Union (United Kingdom)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cwu.org/contact-us/|title=Contact Us|website=Cwu.org|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref> and, until 2022, [[Lidl]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 December 2023 |title=Wimbledon Flexible Office and Workspace Providers Directory |url=https://www.theofficeproviders.com/flexible-workspace-providers-wimbledon/ |access-date=11 January 2024 |website=The Office Providers ®}}</ref>

==Media==
The ''[[Wimbledon Times]]'' (formerly ''Wimbledon Guardian'') provides local news in print and online.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/|title=Wimbledon Times: News, sport, leisure, jobs, homes & cars in Merton|website=Wimbledonguardian.co.uk|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref>

==The Tennis Championships==
{{Main|Wimbledon Championships}}
[[File:Centre Court roof.jpg|thumb|2010 Wimbledon Championships]]
In the 1870s, at the bottom of the hill on land between the railway line and Worple Road, the All-England Croquet Club had begun to hold its annual championships. But the popularity of [[croquet]] was waning as the new sport of [[Tennis|lawn tennis]] began to spread, and after initially setting aside just one of its lawns for tennis, the club decided to hold its [[1877 Wimbledon Championship|first Lawn Tennis Championship in July 1877]]. By 1922, the popularity of tennis had grown to the extent that the club's small ground could no longer cope with the numbers of spectators and the renamed [[All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club]] moved to new grounds close to Wimbledon Park.

Wimbledon historian Richard Milward recounts how King [[George V]] opened the new courts. "He (the king) gave three blows on a gong, the tarpaulins were removed, the first match started – and the rain came down." The club's old grounds continue to be used as the sports ground for [[Wimbledon High School]].

==Sport==
===Horse riding===
Wimbledon Village Stables is the oldest recorded riding stables in England. The late Richard Milward MA, a local historian, researched the background of horses in Wimbledon over the years and found that the first recorded stables belonged to the Lord of the Manor, and are detailed in the Estate's accounts of 1236–37. Stables on the current site, behind the ''Dog & Fox'' pub in the High Street, were founded in 1915 by William Kirkpatrick and named Hilcote Stables; William's daughter Jean took over on his retirement and continued to visit the stables until her death in 2005. From 1969 Hilcote Stables were leased to Colin Crawford, and when they came up for sale in 1980 renamed Wimbledon Village Stables. It is now approved by the British Horse Society and the Association of British Riding Schools. It offers horse-riding lessons and hacks on Wimbledon Common and in Richmond Park.

===Horse racing===
In 1792 the Rev. [[Daniel Lysons (antiquarian)|Daniel Lysons]] published ''The Environs of London: being a historical account of the towns, villages, and hamlets, within twelve miles of that capital'' in which he wrote: "In the early part of the present century there were annual races upon this common, which had then a King's plate." However, he gives no further details and does not say how successful horse racing was or how long it lasted.

===Rifle shooting===
In the 1860s, the newly formed [[National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom|National Rifle Association]] held its first competition - the "[[Imperial Meeting]]" - on Wimbledon Common. The association and the annual competition grew rapidly and by the early 1870s, rifle ranges were established on the common. In 1878 the competitions were lasting two weeks and attracting nearly 2,500 competitors, housed in temporary camps set up across the common. By the 1880s, however, the power and range of rifles had advanced to the extent that shooting in an increasingly populated area was no longer considered safe. The last meeting was held in 1889 before the NRA moved to [[Bisley Camp|Bisley]] in Surrey.

[[Wimbledon, New Zealand|Wimbledon]], a small farming locality in New Zealand, was named after this district in the 1880s after a local resident shot a bullock from a considerable distance away. The shot was considered by onlookers to be worthy of the rifle-shooting championships held in Wimbledon at the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wimbledon |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/wimbledon|website=nzhistory.govt.nz |publisher=NZHistory |access-date=14 July 2017}}</ref>

The [[Wimbledon Cup]] trophy, first awarded in Wimbledon for high-power rifles in 1866, was presented to the American rifle team in 1875 and a century and a half later continued to be awarded by the [[National Rifle Association of America]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NRA National Trophies|url=https://competitions.nra.org/competition-resources/nra-national-trophies/ |publisher=National Rifle Association of America|access-date=12 December 2021}}</ref>

===Football===
From a small, long-established [[Non-League football|non-League]] team, [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon Football Club]] had from 1977 climbed quickly through the ranks of the [[English Football League|Football League]] structure, reaching the highest national professional league in 1986 and winning the [[FA Cup]] against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in 1988.

Wimbledon moved into a [[Plough Lane (1912–98)|stadium at Plough Lane]] in 1912 and played there for 79 years until beginning a ground share with [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] at [[Selhurst Park]] near [[Croydon]], as their progress through the [[Football League]] meant that redeveloping Plough Lane to the required modern standards was impractical. The stadium stood dormant for 10 years until it was finally demolished in 2001. A housing development now occupies the site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/plough_lane_wimbledon.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724094806/http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/plough_lane_wimbledon.htm |archive-date=24 July 2011 |title=Plough Lane – Wimbledon |publisher=Old Football Grounds}}</ref>

[[AFC Wimbledon]], the [[phoenix club (sports)|phoenix club]] founded to replace the departed team (see [[Milton Keynes Dons]]), played for a number of years in Kingston upon Thames; in 2020, however, they moved into a new stadium, again named [[Plough Lane]], on the site of the former greyhound track and a short distance from its namesake.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/|title=AFC Wimbledon|access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref>

===Cricket===
[[Wimbledon Cricket Club]] is based at The Wimbledon Club and also plays matches at Raynes Park Sports Ground.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.twccricket.co.uk/|title=The Wimbledon Cricket Club|access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref>

===Field hockey===
There are a number of [[field hockey]] clubs in the area. [[Wimbledon Hockey Club]] competes in the [[Men's England Hockey League]], the [[Women's England Hockey League]] and the [[Southern Counties Hockey Association|South East Hockey League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.twchockey.co.uk/|title=The Wimbledon Club - Hockey |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/wimbledon-hc|title=England Hockey - Wimbledon Hockey Club |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref> Berrylands Hockey Club, Merton Hockey Club and Mitcham Ladies Hockey Club are also nearby and compete in the South East Hockey League.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.berrylandshockeyclub.co.uk/?doing_wp_cron=1728646035.1902699470520019531250|title=Berrylands Hockey Club |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/berrylands-hc|title=England Hockey - Berrylands Hockey Club |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://mertonhockey.co.uk/|title=Merton Hockey Club |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/merton-hc|title=England Hockey - Merton Hockey Club |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://mitchamladieshc.com/|title=Mitcham Ladies Hockey Club |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/mitcham-ladies-hc|title=England Hockey - Mitcham Ladies Hockey Club |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref>

===Motorcycle speedway===
[[File:Wimbledon stadium.jpg|thumb|[[Stock car racing]] at [[Wimbledon Stadium]]]]
For many years [[Wimbledon Stadium]] hosted to [[Greyhound racing]], as well as [[Stock car racing]] and [[motorcycle speedway]]. Speedway began at [[Wimbledon Stadium]] in 1928. The local team, the ''"Dons"'', was successful over the decades. It started out in 1929 as a member of the Southern League and operated until the Second World War. The track re-opened in 1946 and the Dons operated in the top flight for many years. In the 1950s the track was home to two World Champions: Ronnie Moore and Barry Briggs. In the Dons' last season, 2005, the team finished second in The National Conference League, but after the collapse of lease-renewal talks with the Greyhound Racing Association (owners of the stadium), the high increase in rent required meant the team was wound up. The stadium was demolished in 2017.

===Running===
There are two active running clubs in Wimbledon Park called Hercules Wimbledon and the Wimbledon Windmilers. Both clubs includes some top athletes as well as beginners. A [[Parkrun]] is held every Saturday morning. Prior to Parkrun, a similar event had been held as the Wimbledon Common Time Trial.

==Theatres==
===New Wimbledon Theatre===
{{Main|New Wimbledon Theatre}}
[[File:New Wimbledon Theatre.jpg|thumb|right|upright|New Wimbledon Theatre]]
The New Wimbledon Theatre is a [[Listed building|Grade II listed]] [[Edwardian era|Edwardian]] theatre built by J. B. Mullholland as the Wimbledon Theatre, on the site of a large house with spacious grounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merton.gov.uk/leisure/history-heritage/architecture/open_house_new_wimbledon_theatre.htm |title=New Wimbledon Theatre – architecture – Merton Council |publisher=merton.gov.uk |access-date=14 April 2011}}</ref> The theatre was designed by Cecil Aubrey Masey and Roy Young (possibly after a 1908 design by Frank H Jones). It opened on 26 December 1910 with the [[pantomime]] ''Jack and Jill''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/WimbledonTheatre.htm |title=The New Wimbledon Theatre |publisher=arthurlloyd.co.uk |access-date=14 April 2011}}</ref> The theatre was very popular between the wars, with appearances by [[Gracie Fields]], [[Sybil Thorndike]], [[Ivor Novello]], [[Alicia Markova|Markova]] and [[Noël Coward]]. Lionel Bart's [[Oliver!]] and [[Half A Sixpence]], starring [[Tommy Steele]], received their world premières at the theatre in the 1960s, before transferring to the [[West End theatre|West End]].

The theatre was saved from redevelopment by the [[Ambassador Theatre Group]] in 2004.<ref name="The London encyclopaedia"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timeandleisure.co.uk/articles/history/390-wimbledon-theatre-centenary.html|title=New Wimbledon Theatre Centenary|author=Katie Kemp|date=25 August 2010|website=Time & Leisure|access-date=14 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309135643/http://www.timeandleisure.co.uk/articles/history/390-wimbledon-theatre-centenary.html|archive-date=9 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> With several refurbishments, notably in 1991 and 1998, it retains its [[baroque]] and [[Adamesque]] internal features. The golden statue on the dome depicts [[Laetitia (goddess)|Laetitia]], the Roman Goddess of Gaiety, and was an original fixture back in 1910. Laetitia is holding a [[laurel crown]] as a symbol of celebration. The statue was removed during [[World War II]], as it was thought to be a direction finder for German bombers. It was eventually replaced in 1991.
{{clear}}

===Polka Children's Theatre===
{{Main|Polka Theatre}}
[[File:Polka Theatre.jpg|thumb|upright|Polka Theatre, Wimbledon]]
The ''Polka Theatre'' is a children's theatre in Wimbledon, [[London Borough of Merton]], for children up to 13. The theatre contains two performance spaces – a 300-seat main auditorium and a 70-seat studio dedicated to early-year performances. Polka also has a creative learning studio, a garden, an outdoor playground, an indoor play area, exhibition spaces, and a cafe. It is a producing theatre, which also tours shows nationally and internationally, and provides a range of education and community engagement programmes for children as a registered charity<ref name="Charity Commission">{{cite web|title=Charity Commission|url=http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=256979&SubsidiaryNumber=0|access-date=5 March 2013|archive-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709153036/http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=256979&SubsidiaryNumber=0|url-status=dead}}</ref> and an [[Arts Council England]] National Portfolio Organisation.<ref name="National Portfolio Organisation">{{cite web |title=Arts Council England |url=http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/browse-regularly-funded-organisations/npo/polka-theatre/ |access-date=5 March 2013 |archive-date=11 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311152515/http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/browse-regularly-funded-organisations/npo/polka-theatre/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is also funded by the [[London Borough of Merton]]<ref name="London Borough of Merton Arts Strategy">{{cite web|title=London Borough of Merton Arts Strategy|url=http://www.merton.gov.uk/council/arts_strat_new_proof.pdf|access-date=5 March 2013|archive-date=31 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831141348/http://www.merton.gov.uk/council/arts_strat_new_proof.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a number of private charitable trusts and foundations, individuals and firms. The theatre (formerly the Holy Trinity Halls in Wimbledon) opened in November 1979.

==Transport==
*[[Wimbledon station]]
*[[Wimbledon Chase railway station]]
*[[Raynes Park railway station]]
*[[Wimbledon Park tube station]]
*[[South Wimbledon tube station]]
*[[Dundonald Road tram stop|Dundonald Road Tram Stop]]

===National Rail===
Wimbledon is part of [[List of stations in London fare zone 3|Oyster Fare Zone 3]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+Table of Public Transport in Wimbledon
!Start
!End
!Operator
!Other Info
|-
|[[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]]
|[[Dorking railway station|Dorking]]
|[[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]]
|
|-
|London Waterloo
|[[Epsom railway station|Epsom]]
|South Western Railway
|
|-
|London Waterloo
|[[Guildford railway station|Guildford]]
|South Western Railway
|
|-
|London Waterloo
|[[Richmond station, London|Richmond]]
|South Western Railway
|
|-
|London Waterloo
|[[Hampton Court railway station|Hampton Court]]
|South Western Railway
|
|-
|London Waterloo
|[[Shepparton railway station|Shepperton]]
|South Western Railway
|
|-
|London Waterloo
|[[Chessington South railway station|Chessington South]]
|South Western Railway
|
|-
|[[Luton railway station|Luton]]
|[[Sutton railway station (London)|Sutton]]
|[[Govia Thameslink Railway|Thameslink]]
|Rush Hours Only
|-
|[[Bedford railway station|Bedford]]
|Sutton
|Thameslink
|Rush Hours Only 
|-
|[[St Albans City railway station|St Albans City]]
|Sutton
|Thameslink
|
|}

===Bus===
Wimbledon is served by [[London Buses]] routes [[London Buses route 57|57]], [[London Buses route 93|93]], [[London Buses route 131|131]], [[London Buses route 156|156]], [[London Buses route 163|163]], [[London Buses route 164|164]], [[London Buses route 200|200]], [[London Buses route 219|219]] and [[London Buses route 493|493]] and night bus [[London Buses route N87|N87]]. It is also served by [[Tramlink route 3]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/wimbledon-0217.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712200850/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/wimbledon-0217.pdf |archive-date=12 July 2018 |url-status=live |title=Buses and trams from Wimbledon |work=Transport for London |date=February 2017 |access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref>

==Literature==
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2024}}
In literature, Wimbledon provides the principal setting for several comic novels by author [[Nigel Williams (author)|Nigel Williams]] (including the best-selling ''[[The Wimbledon Poisoner]]'' and ''[[They Came from SW19]]''), as well as for [[Elisabeth Beresford]]'s series of children's stories about the [[Wombles]].

Wimbledon was given as the site where the sixth [[Martian]] invasion cylinder landed in [[H. G. Wells]]' book ''[[The War of the Worlds (novel)|The War of the Worlds]]'' and is mentioned briefly in the same author's ''[[The Time Machine]]'' and ''[[When the Sleeper Wakes]]''.

Each October thousands attend the Wimbledon BookFest, which has been running since 2006. Over 60 events are held around Wimbledon, including at the Big Tent on the Common.

==Notable residents==
<!-- Do not add to this list without a reliable source, a [[wikilink]] is not a reliable source per [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not a reliable source]] -->
[[File:Oliver Reed 1968.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Oliver Reed]], born 1938 in Wimbledon]]
*[[Bob Astles]] (1924–2012), former associate of Ugandan presidents [[Milton Obote]] and [[Idi Amin]]
*[[Ben Barnes (actor)|Ben Barnes]] (born 1981), actor
*[[Joseph Bazalgette]] (1819–1891), civil engineer; his creation in the mid 19th century of the sewer network for central London eliminated the incidence of [[cholera]] epidemics<ref>{{cite web |author=The Wimbledon Society |title=Heritage: From London's sewers to the fresh air of Wimbledon |url=http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/heritage/news/9603435.print/ |work=Wimbledon Guardian |date=23 March 2012 |access-date=11 October 2014}}</ref>
*[[Raymond Briggs]] (1934–2022), cartoonist<ref name="b211">{{cite news | last=Bailey | first=Jason M. | title=Raymond Briggs, Who Drew a Wordless 'Snowman,' Dies at 88 | website=The New York Times | date=2022-08-10 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/10/books/raymond-briggs-dead.html | access-date=2024-06-11}}</ref>
*[[Lyde Browne (antiquary)|John Lyde-Brown]] (died 1787), director of the [[Bank of England]]; resident of Cannizaro House;<ref name=Park1>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cannizaropark.org.uk/history.htm |website=The Friends of Cannizaro Park |access-date=6 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830182512/http://www.cannizaropark.org.uk/history.htm |archive-date=30 August 2006 |url-status=dead |title=Three centuries of heritage behind the estate}}</ref> his collection of classical sculpture was acquired by [[Catherine the Great|Catherine II]] of Russia in 1787 and is held by the [[Hermitage Museum]]
*[[James Brunlees]] (1816–1892), engineer, lived at Argyle Lodge, Parkside
*[[Josephine Butler]] (1828–1906), feminist campaigner of the Victorian era, [[Blue Plaque]] at 8 North View, Wimbledon Common<ref name = plaque1/>
*[[George Edward Cates]] (1892–1917), [[World War I]] [[Victoria Cross]] recipient
*Duke (1784–1841) and Duchess of Cannizzaro<ref>{{cite news|author=The Wimbledon Society|title=Wimbledon Heritage: Colourful story of Cannizaro gets another hearing|url=http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/heritage/news/9566343.Colourful_story_of_Cannizaro_gets_another_hearing/|access-date=14 December 2017 |work=Wimbledon Guardian |date=2 March 2012}}</ref>
*[[Ernst Boris Chain]] (1906–1979), joint winner of the 1945 [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Nobel Prize in Medicine]] for the discovery of [[penicillin]]. Blue Plaque at 9 North View, Wimbledon Common<ref name=plaque1>{{Cite web|url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002006005/chooseLetter/B|title=English Heritage|website=English-heritage.org.uk|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref>
*[[Mavis Cheek]] (1948-2023), novelist born and brought up in Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mavis Cheek |website=Faber & Faber|url=http://www.faber.co.uk/author/mavis-cheek/ |access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref>
*[[Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough]] (1660–1744), close friend of [[Anne, Queen of Great Britain|Queen Anne]], resident of [[Wimbledon Manor House]]
*[[Norman Coburn]]{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} (born 1937), Australian actor played [[Donald Fisher (Home and Away)|Donald Fisher]] in Australian soap opera ''[[Home and Away]]''
*[[Annette Crosbie]] (born 1934), actress, screen wife of ''[[One Foot in the Grave]]''s [[Victor Meldrew]]
*[[Jack Davenport]] (born 1973), actor
*[[Sandy Denny]] (1947–1978), singer, born at the Nelson Hospital
*[[Laurence Doherty]] (1875–1919), winner of thirteen Wimbledon tennis championships and two Olympic gold medals
*[[Reginald Doherty]] (1872–1910), winner of twelve Wimbledon tennis championships and three Olympic gold medals
*[[Hugh Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding|Hugh Dowding]] (1882–1970), commander of [[RAF Fighter Command]] during the [[Battle of Britain]] in 1940, Blue Plaque at 3 St Mary's Road<ref name=plaque2>{{Cite web|url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002006005/chooseLetter/D|title=English Heritage|website=English-heritage.org.uk|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref>
*[[Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville|Henry Dundas]], [[Viscount Melville]] (1742–1811), [[Home Secretary]] and [[Secretary of State for War]] to [[William Pitt the Younger]], resident of Cannizaro House<ref name = Park1/>
*[[Maria Fetherstonhaugh]] (1847–1918), novelist, bought a house by Wimbledon Windmill in 1905, where [[Robert Baden-Powell]] as her guest wrote ''[[Scouting for Boys]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=The Wimbledon Society|title=Heritage: Lord Robert Baden-Powell – Always prepared|url=https://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/10246444.Baden_Powell___Always_prepared/|work=Wimbledon Guardian|date=22 February 2013|access-date=4 November 2018}}</ref>
*[[Sid Field]] (1904–1950), English comedy actor, lived at 44 Parkside.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=7 April 1950 |title=FIELD, Sidney Arthur |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38880/page/1769/data.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826174549/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38880/page/1769/data.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2022 |url-status=live |journal=The London Gazette |issue=38880 |pages=1769}}</ref>
*[[Charles James Fox]] (1749–1806), Britain's first [[Foreign Secretary (United Kingdom)|Foreign Secretary]] under prime minister [[Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham|Marquess of Rockingham]]; took over Rockingham's Church Road house after the latter's death in 1782<ref name="Lysons">{{cite web|author=Daniel Lysons|title='Wimbledon', in The Environs of London: Volume 1, County of Surrey (London, 1792)|pages=519–540|publisher=British History Online|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-environs/vol1/pp519-540|access-date=28 November 2020}}</ref>
*[[Ford Madox Ford]] (1873–1939), author; works include ''[[The Good Soldier]]'' and ''[[Parade's End]]''<ref>{{cite book |title=Complete Works of Ford Madox Ford, with picture of birthplace in Kingston Road, Wimbledon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s24bAgAAQBAJ&q=ford+madox+ford+kingston+road&pg=PT9 |access-date=3 February 2014|isbn = 9781908909701|last1 = Ford|first1 = Ford Madox|date = 17 November 2013| publisher=Delphi Classics }}</ref>
*[[John William Godward]] (1861–1922), painter
*[[Charles Gore]] born 1853, Wimbledon, theologian.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=David Lawrence |title=Leaders of the Church of England 1828 - 1978 |date=1978 |publisher=Hodder and Stoughton |location=London |isbn=0340226358 |edition=Rev. and updated }}</ref>
*[[Charles Patrick Graves]] (1899–1971), journalist
*[[Robert Graves]] (1895–1985), poet
*[[Victoria Hamilton]] (born 1971), actress
*[[George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen]] (1784–1860), prime minister 1852–55; resident of Cannizaro House<ref name = Park1/>
*[[Imogen Hassal]] (1942–1980), actress
*[[Ted Heath (bandleader)|Ted Heath]] (1902–1969), bandleader<ref>{{cite web |title=Big Band Library |url=http://www.bigbandlibrary.com/tedheath.html|website=Bigbandlibrarty.com |access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
*[[Georgette Heyer]] (1902&ndash;1974), novelist born and raised in Wimbledon. She wrote her first five novels there. Two later novels, ''Pastel'' and ''Behold, Here's Poison'', are set in a suburb very like Wimbledon.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/13316513.Stephen_Fry_unveils_plaque_to_Wimbledon_author_Georgette_Heyer/ |title = Stephen Fry unveils plaque to Wimbledon author Georgette Heyer |work=Wimbledon Guardian|date = 5 June 2015 }}</ref>
*[[Mark Hollis]] (1955–2019), musician
*[[Leslie Hore-Belisha, 1st Baron Hore-Belisha]] (1893–1957), [[Secretary of State for Transport|Minister of Transport]], 1934–7 who introduced the driving test and the [[Belisha Beacon]]; then [[Secretary of State for War]], 1937–40
*[[Thomas Hughes]] (1822–1896), author of the 1857 novel ''[[Tom Brown's Schooldays]]'' which was written in Wimbledon
*[[James Hunt]] (1947–1993), racing driver and commentator. Formula 1 World Champion 1976
*[[John Innes (philanthropist)|John Innes]] (1829&ndash;1904), property developer and philanthropist
*[[Sir Theodore Janssen, 1st Baronet|Sir Theodore Janssen of Wimbledon]] (c.1658–1748), director of the [[South Sea Company]] and founder-member of the [[Bank of England]]. Resident of [[Wimbledon Manor House]]. The grounds of his later house bordered the east side of the High Street.<ref>{{cite web |title=England: Teile von verschiedenen Regionen |url=https://biblio.unibe.ch/web-apps/maps/zoomify.php?pic=Ryh_1813_24.jpg&col=ryh&locale=en |website=18th century map of Wimbledon |publisher=Universität Bern |access-date=18 June 2015}}</ref>
*[[Paul Jerricho]], actor
*[[Hetty King]] (1883&ndash;1972), music hall artiste and male impersonator.  A blue commemorative plaque was erected on her home in Palmerston Road, Wimbledon by [[The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America]] in November 2010.
*[[Vanessa Kirby]] (born 1988), actress
*[[Don Lang (musician)|Don Lang]] (1925&ndash;1992), with his band, a mainstay of Britain's first television rock and roll programme ''[[Six-Five Special]]''
*[[Alvar Lidell]] (1908–1981), BBC radio announcer; his voice was well known during [[World War II]]<ref>{{cite web |title=This is the news – with Alvar Lidell |url=http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/heritage/news/10135731.This_is_the_news___with_Alvar_Lidell/ |work=Wimbledon Guardian |date=4 January 2013 |access-date=26 February 2014}}</ref>
*[[Jenny Lind]] (1820&ndash;1887), the Swedish Nightingale, at Argyle Lodge, Parkside.
*[[Joseph Norman Lockyer|Sir Joseph Norman Lockyer]] (1836–1920), scientist and astronomer; joint discoverer of [[helium]]
*[[James Murdoch]] (born 1972), younger son of media mogul [[Rupert Murdoch]] and former chief executive officer (CEO) of [[21st Century Fox]]
*[[Frederick Marryat]] (1792–1848), author, Blue Plaque at Gothic Lodge, 6 Woodhayes Road
*[[Tony McGuinness (English musician)|Tony McGuinness]] (born 1959), guitarist and songwriter, [[Above & Beyond (band)|Above and Beyond]]
*[[Michael McIntyre]]{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} (born 1976), comedian born in the area
*[[Thomas Ralph Merton]] (1888–1969), physicist
*[[Marcus Mumford]] (born 1987), lead singer and songwriter, [[Mumford & Sons]]
*[[John Murray III]] (1808–1892), publisher; significant publications include [[Charles Darwin]]'s ''[[The Origin of Species]]''; Murray built a house called "Newstead" on four acres at Somerset Road.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Wimbledon Society |work=Wimbledon Guardian |date=9 March 2012 |url=http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/heritage/news/9577848.print/ |access-date=14 January 2014}}</ref>
*[[Horatio, Viscount Nelson]] (1758–1805), admiral; Nelson's estate, [[Merton Place]], included part of Wimbledon at the eastern end of the Broadway,<ref name=LBM>{{Cite web |url=http://www.merton.gov.uk/leisure/history/nelson/nelsonhistory.htm |title=London Borough of Merton, Nelson |access-date=23 December 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216074514/https://www.merton.gov.uk/leisure/history/nelson/nelsonhistory.htm |archive-date=16 December 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> though, strictly he was a resident of [[Merton, London (parish)|Merton]] the neighbouring parish
* [[Margaret Noble]] or Sister Nivedita (1867-1911), campaigner for Indian Independence
*[[Alan Pardew]] (born 1961), football manager
*[[Michelle Paver]] (born 1960), author, ''[[Chronicles of Ancient Darkness]]''
*[[Charles Pepys, 1st Earl of Cottenham]] (1781–1851), Lord Chancellor; judge in the landmark 1841 court case [[Saunders v Vautier]] 
*[[William Henry Preece|Sir William Henry Preece]] (1834–1913), developed English telephone system; Blue Plaque at Gothic Lodge, 6 Woodhayes Road.
*[[Oliver Reed]] (1938–1999), actor<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/heritage/news/9529869.Oliver_Reed_-_Wimbledon_s_wildest_rebel/|title=Oliver Reed – Wimbledon's wildest rebel|date=17 February 2012|work=Wimbledon Guardian}}</ref>
*[[Margaret Rutherford]] (1892–1972), actress, Blue Plaque at 4 Berkeley Place<ref name=plaque3>{{Cite web|url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002006005/chooseLetter/R|title=English Heritage|website=English-heritage.org.uk|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref>
*[[Arthur Schopenhauer]] (1788–1860), philosopher, Blue Plaque at Eagle House where he lived in 1803<ref name=plaque4>{{Cite web|url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002006005/chooseLetter/S|title=English Heritage|website=English-heritage.org.uk|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref>
*[[Ridley Scott]] (born 1937), film director; films include ''[[Blade Runner]]'' and [[Gladiator (2000 film)|''Gladiator'']].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wimbledon Music Festival|url=http://www.wimbledonmusicfestival.co.uk/wimbledon.html|access-date=14 January 2014|archive-date=10 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110193238/http://www.wimbledonmusicfestival.co.uk/wimbledon.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia]] (1892–1975), guest at a house in Parkside while in exile from Ethiopia owing to the [[Abyssinia Crisis|Italian invasion]]; his statue stands in Cannizaro Park.<ref name=Park2>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cannizaropark.org.uk/nr_17.htm |website=The Friends of Cannizaro Park |title=Royals, relatives and Rastafari attend unveiling of Haile Selassie statue |date=Winter 2005 |access-date=6 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719091516/http://www.cannizaropark.org.uk/nr_17.htm |archive-date=19 July 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Renu Setna]], actor
*[[Brian Sewell]] (1931–2015), art critic and media personality
*[[Mark Edgley Smith]] (1955&ndash;2008), composer
*[[Steve-O]] (born 1974), entertainer, born in Wimbledon
*[[Jamie T]] (born 1986), musician
*[[David Tipper]] (born 1976), producer, composer, DJ
*[[John Horne Tooke]] (1736–1812), politician, lived at [[Chester House, Wimbledon|Chester House]] on [[Wimbledon Common]]
*[[Arnold Toynbee (historian, born 1852)|Arnold Toynbee]] (1852–1883), economic historian, Blue Plaque at 49 Wimbledon Parkside<ref name=plaque5>{{Cite web|url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002006005/chooseLetter/T|title=English Heritage|website=English-heritage.org.uk|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref>
*[[Joseph Toynbee]] (1815–1866), surgeon, Blue Plaque at 49 Wimbledon Parkside<ref name = plaque5/>
*[[Ralph Tubbs]] (1912&ndash;1996), architect; his buildings include the [[Dome of Discovery]] and [[Charing Cross Hospital]]
*[[Keith Walker (cricketer)|Keith Walker]] (1922–1989), cricketer
*[[Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham]] (1730–1782), twice Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Museum of Wimbledon |url=http://www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk/index.php/on-view/georgian-era/politics |access-date=7 February 2014}}</ref> His Church Road house adjoined the grounds of Sir Theodore Janssen's and was previously occupied by a Mr Rush as shown on [https://biblio.unibe.ch/web-apps/maps/zoomify.php?pic=Ryh_1813_24.jpg&col=ryh&locale=en this map].<ref name="Lysons"/>
*[[Dame June Whitfield]] (1925–2018), actress
*[[William Wilberforce]] (1759–1833), anti-slavery campaigner<ref>{{cite web |title=The Theologian |url=http://www.theologian.org.uk/churchhistory/wilberforce.html|website=Theologican.org.uk |access-date=7 February 2014}}</ref>

==Amenities==

===Major public open spaces===
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2024}}
[[File:Cannizaro House.jpg|thumb|Cannizaro House, which overlooks the park of the same name]]
*[[Cannizaro Park]]
*[[Richmond Park]]
*[[Wimbledon Common]]
*[[Wimbledon Park]]

===Museums===
*[http://www.southsidehouse.com/ Southside House] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225030638/http://www.southsidehouse.com/ |date=25 February 2019 }}
*[[Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum]]
*[http://www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk/ Wimbledon Museum]
*[[Wimbledon Windmill]]
{{clear right}}

===Schools===
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2024}}
====Secondary====
*[[Ricards Lodge High School]], Lake Road, Wimbledon (girls)
*[[Rutlish School|Rutlish School, Watery Lane, Merton Park]] (boys)
*[[Ursuline High School (Wimbledon)|Ursuline High School, Crescent Road, Wimbledon]] ([[Catholic Church|RC]], girls)
*[[Wimbledon College|Wimbledon College, Edge Hill, Wimbledon]] (RC, boys)
*[[Wimbledon High School]], Mansel Road, Wimbledon (girls)
====Primary====
*[[Dundonald Primary School (Wimbledon)|Dundonald Primary School]]
*Garfield Primary school (Mixed) Garfield road, Wimbledon
*[[Hollymount Primary School]] (Mixed), Cambridge Road, West Wimbledon
*[[Holy Trinity Primary School]], [[Church of England]], Effra Road, Wimbledon
*St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, Russell Road, Wimbledon
*[[Wimbledon Chase Primary School|Wimbledon Chase Primary School, Merton Hall Road, Wimbledon]]
*[[Wimbledon Park Primary School, Havana Road, Wimbledon Park]]
*[[Bishop Gilpin, Lake Road, Wimbledon Park]]
====Independent====
*[[Allenswood Boarding Academy]] (Girls' School), Albert Road, Wimbledon – founded 1870, closed 1950s
*[[Donhead|Donhead Lodge (Boys' School), Edge Hill, Wimbledon]]
*Ursuline Preparatory School, Wimbledon (closed 2024)
*[[Hall School Wimbledon]] (Mixed School), The Downs, Wimbledon
*[[King's College School|King's College School, Southside, Wimbledon]]
*The Norwegian School in London (Norwegian School), Arteberry Road, Wimbledon
*[[Wimbledon High School|Wimbledon High School (Girls' School), Mansel Road, Wimbledon]]
*[[Old Central School]], [[Church of England]], Camp Road, Wimbledon – founded 1758, closed 1960s
*[[The Rowans School]] (Mixed, Primary School), Drax Avenue, Wimbledon

===Places of worship===
{{refimprove section|date=April 2025}}
[[File:Sacred Heart RC Church, Wimbledon, London, UK - Diliff.jpg|thumb|Sacred Heart Church is the parish church for one of the largest Catholic parishes in England.<ref>File:Sacred Heart RC Church, Wimbledon, London, UK - Diliff.jpg</ref>]]
{{Columns-list |colwidth=30em |
*All Nations' Church (evangelical), Mansel Rd, SW19
*All Saints' Church. South Wimbledon. SW19
*Bethel Baptist Church, Broadway, SW19
*[[Wat Buddhapadipa]] (Buddhist), Calonne Rd, SW19
*Chabad Wimbledon Synagogue, St George's Road, SW19 4ED (Jewish)<ref>{{cite web |title=About us |url=http://www.chabadwimbledon.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/2511481/jewish/About-Us.htm |publisher=Chabad Wimbledon |access-date=2 August 2014 |archive-date=2 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502140756/http://www.chabadwimbledon.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/2511481/jewish/About-Us.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Congregational Church, Dundonald Rd, SW19
*Everyday Church, Queens Road, SW19 8LR<ref>{{cite web |title=Find us |url=http://everyday.org.uk/find-us |publisher=Everyday Church |access-date=2 August 2014 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810042141/http://everyday.org.uk/find-us |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Christ Church, Colliers Wood. SW19 2NY.
*Christ Church, West Wimbledon (Church of England), SW20
*Christian Science Reading Room, Worple Rd, SW19
*[[Christ the King Church, Wimbledon Park|Church of Christ the King]] (Catholic), Crescent Gardens, SW19
*[[Elim Pentecostal Church|Elim Pentecostal Church, SW19]]
*Emmanuel Church (Church of England), Ridgway, SW19.<ref>{{cite web |author=Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon |url=https://www.wimbledon.org.uk/Groups/159146/Emmanuel_Wimbledon.aspx |title=Church Website |access-date=5 March 2019 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043552/https://www.wimbledon.org.uk/Groups/159146/Emmanuel_Wimbledon.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Hillside Church (non-denominational), Worple Rd, SW19
*Holy Trinity Church (Church of England), Broadway, SW19
*Kairos Church (inter-denominational), Kingston Rd, SW19
*Kingdom Hall (Jehovah's Witnesses), Haydons Rd, SW19
*Our Lady and St Peter's Church (Catholic), Victoria Drive, SW19
*[[Sacred Heart Church Wimbledon|Sacred Heart Church]] (Catholic), Edge Hill, SW19
*St Andrews Church (Church of England), Herbert Rd, SW19
*Saint John the Divine Merton, SW19
*Shofar Christian Church, The Broadway, SW19 1RY
*St John the Baptist (Church of England), Spencer Hill, SW19
*St Luke's Church (Church of England), Ryfold Road, Wimbledon Park SW19 8BZ
*[[St. Mary's Church Wimbledon|St Mary's Church]] (Church of England), St Mary's Rd, SW19
*[[St Winefride Church, South Wimbledon|St Winefride's Church]], (Catholic), Latimer Rd, SW19
*Salvation Army, Kingston Rd, SW19
*Shree Ghanapathy Temple (Hindu), Effra Rd, SW19
*[[Wat Buddhapadipa]] (Buddhist), Calonne Road, SW19
*The Open Door (non-denominational), Worple Rd, SW19
*Trinity United Reformed Church, Mansel Rd, SW19
*[[The Wimbledon Synagogue]] (Reform Jewish)
*Wimbledon Mosque (Islam), Durnsford Rd, SW19
*Wimbledon Quaker Meeting, Spencer Hill Rd, SW19
*Wimbledon Spiritualist Church, SW19<ref>{{cite web |title=Wimbledon Spiritualist Church |url=http://www.WimbledonSpiritualistChurch.co.uk |publisher=Wimbledon Spiritualist Church |access-date=2 August 2014}}</ref>
}}

==See also==
* [[Crooked Billet]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

Bibliography
*Bartlett, William A., ''[https://archive.org/details/historyandantiq01bartgoog <!--  quote=The history and antiquities of the parish of Wimbledon, Surrey. --> History of Antiquities of the Parish of Wimbledon]'', Simpkin, Marshall, & co., 1865
*Brown, John W., ''Lysons's History of Wimbledon'', Local History Reprints, 1991, {{ISBN|1-85699-021-4}}
*Milward, Richard, ''Historic Wimbledon, Caesar's Camp to Centre Court'', The Windrush Press and Fielders of Wimbledon, 1989, {{ISBN|0-900075-16-3}}
*Milward, Richard, ''New Short History of Wimbledon'', Wimbledon Society, 1989

==External links==
{{Commons category|Wimbledon}}
{{Wikivoyage|London/Wimbledon}}
Local authorities
*[http://www.merton.gov.uk/ merton.gov.uk]

Community
*[http://www.lovewimbledon.org lovewimbledon.org]
*[http://www.wimbledon-village.com/ wimbledon-village.com]

History
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45395 british-history.ac.uk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629193818/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45395 |date=29 June 2011 }} The Environs of London: Volume 1: County of Surrey, 1792, "Wimbledon", pp.&nbsp;519–540, [[Daniel Lysons (antiquarian)|Daniel Lysons]]
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43040 british-history.ac.uk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629193835/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43040 |date=29 June 2011 }}  A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 4, 1912, "Parishes: Wimbledon", pp.&nbsp;120–125, H. E. Malden (editor)

{{LB Merton}}
{{London Districts}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Wimbledon, London| ]]
[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Merton]]
[[Category:Major centres of London]]