About
Wimbledon Museum tells the story of Wimbledon from prehistoric times to the present day, exploring how a rural village on Wimbledon Common became one of London's most desirable suburbs and home to the world's most prestigious tennis tournament. This charming volunteer-run museum combines displays on local history, archaeology, notable residents, and of course tennis heritage.
Collections include Iron Age and Roman artifacts found on Wimbledon Common, items relating to historic Wimbledon village, photographs documenting the area's development, and tennis memorabilia celebrating Wimbledon's global sporting fame.
Visitors discover the history of Wimbledon Common with its windmill and duelling grounds, learn about famous residents from Lord Baden-Powell to Ronnie Barker, explore Victorian and Edwardian Wimbledon life, and see early tennis equipment and photographs.
The museum successfully balances tennis heritage with broader local history, appealing both to tennis fans and those interested in suburban development, social history, and community heritage.
Regular temporary exhibitions explore diverse themes from wartime Wimbledon to local artists.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
💡 Visitor Tips
- Only open Saturday and Sunday afternoons - plan accordingly
- Free entry and run by passionate volunteers
- Perfect complement to official Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
- During Championships fortnight, special extended hours and tennis focus
- Combine with walk on Wimbledon Common and visit to windmill
- Wimbledon Village has nice cafés and shops for before/after visit
- Not wheelchair accessible - stairs to first floor
Highlights
Iron Age Camp Archaeology
Artifacts from the Iron Age hillfort on Wimbledon Common including pottery, tools, and weapons. Evidence of occupation over 2,000 years ago provides a glimpse into prehistoric Wimbledon.
Tennis Heritage Display
Early tennis equipment, photographs of Championships from Victorian times onwards, and memorabilia celebrating Wimbledon's role as home of lawn tennis. Includes vintage racquets, balls, and images of tennis fashion through the ages.
Wimbledon Common Story
History of Wimbledon Common including the famous windmill, the duelling grounds where the Earl of Cardigan fought in 1840, and efforts to preserve the Common from development. Maps and photographs show how the Common has been cherished for centuries.
Victorian & Edwardian Wimbledon
Photographs, objects, and documents showing Wimbledon's transformation from village to affluent suburb. Shop fronts, street scenes, and domestic items illustrate daily life.
Collections
Collections include archaeology (Iron Age, Roman, medieval), tennis history materials, photographs documenting Wimbledon streets and buildings, maps and plans, local trade and business items, objects relating to Wimbledon Common, materials about notable residents, and archives of local organizations.
Strong photograph collection documents suburban development. Tennis materials complement but don't duplicate the official Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.
Explore the diverse collections housed in this museum.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.