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How to do Wimbledon in London without going to SW19

Simon Calder’s Travel

The world’s oldest tennis tournament and staple on the British summer calendar – Wimbledon 2024 – has swung into action.

If you were unlucky in the ballot to clap along with Centre Court and don’t fancy facing the mammoth queue for on-the-day tickets in SW19, fear not, free screenings serving pitchers of Pimms will dot London with deckchairs this summer.

With events both sophisticated and boozy primed to make a racket for British big hitters from Katie Boulter to Jack Draper, there’s plenty of time to watch some championship tennis between the Euros and the impending Paris Olympics.

Whether in Belgravia or Hackney, it’s easy to match up with punnets of strawberries and cream and hamper picnics for al fresco afternoons full of live action.

Here are the many London spots getting things in full swing from Monday 1 July to Sunday 14 July.

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Bishops Square, Spitalfields

Spitalfields' summer programme has tennis, cricket and the Olympics
Spitalfields’ summer programme has tennis, cricket and the Olympics (Spitalfields)

A 188-inch screen with an audience of deckchairs offers tennis fans in Spitalfields a chance to watch the Wimbledon action this summer with promotions from local food vendors including Moving Mountains and Grime Burgers.

Bishops Square, London E1 6AD

BST, Hyde Park

BST’s free screenings start on 1 July
BST’s free screenings start on 1 July (Sharon Lopez)

From Monday 1 July, it’s game, set, match on the big screens at Hyde Park on weekdays between the BST festival’s buzzing weekends. The Open House activities, including a Street Food Market and live music, are free for spectators to stretch out and catch the first serve.

Hyde Park, London W2 2UH

Screen on the Canal, Kings Cross

The Kings Cross ‘Riveria’ will show who is the king of the court
The Kings Cross ‘Riveria’ will show who is the king of the court (John Sturrock)

A summer staple in the city, Screen on the Canal on the King’s Cross ‘Riviera’ will be screening blockbusters, cult classics and the madness of Wimbledon matches for free on the steps of the canal.        

Granary Square, London N1C 4PW

Soap Yard, Borough Yards

A Wimbledon-themed big screen has all the action from the courts
A Wimbledon-themed big screen has all the action from the courts (Borough Yards)

Forget a box at Centre Court, Borough Yards has transformed its Soap Yard space into a mini Wimbledon complete with a screen, roster of restaurant pop-ups and artificial grass – so you really feel like you’re courtside.

Stoney St, London SE1 9AD

Battersea Games, Battersea Power Station

The Battersea Games are back for summer 2024
The Battersea…

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