Tennis
Tennis al fresco: London’s outdoor Wimbledon screenings
It’s that time of year again: put the Pimm’s on ice and get the strawberries and cream at the ready — Wimbledon returns.
From July 1, the eyes of the sporting world will once again turn to SW19, as the biggest names in tennis compete for the most prestigious prize in the calendar.
Aside from the glitterati attending in full force, Wimbledon is a tournament marked by sunshine; the matches are always best enjoyed outside. Happily, there are plenty of free outdoor screenings taking place right across the capital.
There will of course be plenty of pubs, restaurants and rooftops (everywhere from the boujee Selfridges rooftop, to the more humble Crown by Victoria Park is set to screen the matches) but here we’re focussing on the sunniest spots, publicly available, perfect for pulling up a deck chair and enjoying some championship tennis.
If you didn’t manage to nab your tickets in the ballot, or you can’t make it to the All England Lawn Tennis Club itself, here’s the extensive round-up of the very best outdoor spots to head to, listed in no particular order.
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As part of the King’s Cross open-air film festival, which this year is running an expanded calendar until August 18, the waterside screen will be showing the biggest matches from across the tournament, from noon until 5pm daily. It’s all unticketed, so get down there early to be sure of a seat.
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This 2022 addition to SE1 created sub-neighbourhood which is finally starting to feel settled; an amalgam of eating, drinking and shopping with some big-hitting chefs and brands adding to the allure. Borough Yards is popping up over the summer with big screens showing all the live action from the championships found in the newer Soap Yard, under the railway viaduct. A word to the wise, nab a table at nearby Agora, Camille or Akara before (or after).
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Wimbledon is the starting gun on a summer of sport at Eccleston Yards, with the Paris Olympics and England Cricket test match following quickly after. Plenty of food and drink options here, and the spacious spot in the large courtyard should guarantee a solid few hours of glorious sunshine each day (although it’s July in England, so let’s not get carried away).
St James’s Market will be showing the tennis on a giant screen in its smartly finished courtyard. The space is kitted out with Wimbledon-themed decor and deckchairs and with a fair few bars, restaurants and bakeries nearby to keep you fully fuelled it should be a solid option for the centre of town. Fallow is a particular highlight, especially given its enormous terrace.
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A newly manicured lawn at Devonshire Square, redolent of the AELTC itself, is the latest home in the city to attract punters to watch the championships this year. It looks a winner and with a glut of restaurants on its doorstep, Three Uncles and Cinnamon Kitchen our picks, few city locations will be better placed for Wimbledon watching in the sun.
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Enjoy a cocktail or two in Merchant Square, with the idyllic Paddington venue hosting screenings throughout the tournament, until about 8pm each day. Unreserved deckchairs are in place (unless the weather turns wet, in which case the chairs will disappear, though the screening will continue), and the on-site bar is set to serve Pimm’s, Aperol spritzes, espresso martinis and more.
Summer by the River in London Bridge
Brendan Bell/London Bridge City
Where better to watch the tennis than against a stunning backdrop of Tower Bridge and the Thames? Screenings take place every day in the outdoor amphitheatre at the Summer by the River Festival at London Bridge City.
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Victoria’s mega rebuild seems never-ending. But whilst cranes still litter the skyline, quieter elevated places like the rooftop at Cardinal Place offer respite. It’ll be screening all the best of the live action from SW19 and with deck chairs, beanbags and on-the-lawn lounging all available — alongside drinks served by Wagamama’s pop-up bar — it’s a nice central spot to catch the action.
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Not quite Murray Mound (or Henman Hill, depending on your DoB) but within serving distance to the SW19 championships themselves, the Piazza is a top spot for watching all the action live and benefits from close proximity to a number of Wimbledon’s loveliest restaurants, including the Fox & Grapes.
Johnny Stephens Photography
The recent addition to the developed space between Borough Market and Southbank, Carrubo has an expansive courtyard, part shaded, part sun-drenched, making it ideal for those looking to enjoy the Championships. Drinks from the bar on site and dinner from neighbouring In Horto will really make a day of it.
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The free-to-lounge loungers at Spitalfields are in prime position next to some of London’s more interesting market food traders. The likes of Brother Marcus, Dos Mas Tacos, Ebby’s Kitchen and i-Thai are a few of the top picks, alongside new opening Alfi, marking this outdoor suntrap our pick for food-lovers.
St Katharine Docks will be screening the Wimbledon matches upon its own floating pontoon. Sink into a deck chair, or grab a bench or table, and watch the live action unfold as you bob along in the water.
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The food-forward sport screenings at Islington Square are set to be underpinned by the Urban Food Fest, serving fare from the likes of Megan’s, OMNOM and Bewliehill alongside cocktail offers a-plenty. In short, a food-focussed, boozy haven to watch the tennis.
Cadogan
Fairweather fans often get a bad rep but this year’s “Strawberries and Screens” seems intentionally set up for the finals of this year’s tennis action. With a large screen popping up for just the men’s semi-finals and both men’s and women’s singles finals, Duke of York square is a top spot to catch the sharp end of the action.
@adashandasplash
The vaulting new 8,000 square foot eating and drinking space, Metropolis, has just opened on the Albert Embankment and what makes the space so intriguing is, alongside plentiful indoor and outdoor tennis screenings, is the range of food available. Tacos, sushi, American BBQ, classic pizzas, Turkish mezze and plenty more is on offer under the arches. This one should be a hit.
Justin De Souza
The London Bridge favourite is screening all the major matches, with Bad Boy Pizza Society putting on the food. Stop by for a serious slice of the action.
Alamy
Details are typically scant around Berkeley square’s offering, but in the past, a few dozen garden chairs and a screen showing the main matches of the day has miraculously appeared for the tournament. Located just outside Annabel’s, it’s often a surprisingly quiet place in central London to enjoy some tennis outdoors.
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Bright yellow deckchairs mark the summer series in the idyllic Portman Square, which in the past has filled with food stalls from the likes of Chotto Matte and the plant-based Wulf & Lamb, as well as Chiltern Street Deli and the Zetter Street Townhouse Marylebone. Healthy types can get involved with the wellness den, too. Mayfair’s Grosvenor Square is doing something similar, with added music.
Via Landsec
Another new addition for 2024, the New Street Square opened between the law and accountancy firms lining this patch of the City, providing respite from the screens and numbers and gilets. Food options are a little scant nearby, so opt for the table service direct to deck chairs from the Refinery.
Covent Garden
The piazza at Covent Garden can often be a tough place to navigate — not because the layout is particularly puzzling, but rather the swarm of out-of-towners can test the patience. Instead, opt for an early start, secure a deckchair and oodles of Pimm’s on the piazza and enjoy.
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This might not be the largest outdoor screening of the Wimbledon Championships this year, but the small nook into which One New Change team has squeezed is a looker. Sitting just off St Paul’s, it could be the best looking spot on this long list, and one of the better options in the City.
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