Stay for London after Wimbledon

Wimbledon may be the reason you booked the trip, but staying a few extra days is where London in the summer really shines. After the final match, southwest London settles into a different summer pace: mornings in Wimbledon Village, long walks by the Thames, afternoons split between glasshouse gardens and world-class museums, and evenings well spent at quality restaurants and pubs.

Start in Wimbledon Village, where the tournament’s global draw gives way to a more local version of southwest London. The high street is lined with polished independent businesses, old brick facades, and cafes that fill early with dog walkers, couples lingering over coffee, and locals easing into the day. Grab a pastry and espresso at a standby like Gail’s or PAUL, then use the neighborhood as your launch point into the greener side of this part of the city: either the open sweep of nearby parkland and heath, or London’s historic botanical gardens.

From here, choose your green space based on your mood. If you want a wide-open landscape, take public transportation toward Richmond and spend a few hours in Richmond Park, where open grasslands and hilltop viewpoints make London feel far away without actually leaving it. Stick to the outer paths for a quieter walk and pause near Pen Ponds for bird spotting and the chance to catch sight of a deer.

If you want the broader, wilder version of southwest London, head to Richmond Park. The city’s largest Royal Park feels expansive once you’re inside, with long stretches of trees and plenty of hilltop viewpoints. Walk the outer paths and pause near Pen Ponds, where you can go bird spotting and have a chance to see the park’s famous deer.

Or, for something more structured and horticultural, make your way to Kew Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens are one of London’s great cultivated spaces, and the glasshouses alone justify the trip. Start in the Temperate House, a soaring Victorian structure of iron and glass filled with rare plants from temperate zones around the world, then continue to the Princess of Wales Conservatory, where the winding, climate-zoned maze shifts from arid desert to humid tropical.

Keep dinner simple with a neighborhood pub that has a seasonal menu, pints, and lived-in comfort. Try The Rushmere or grab a pint at the Dog & Fox in Wimbledon Village, or head toward Kew for The Greyhound, which leans seasonal and classic.

Start in Putney, where rowing clubs line the banks, scullers move steadily across the water, joggers take over the towpath, and locals stop along the river on their way elsewhere. It’s a strong reminder that some of London’s best summer hours are built around walking without a checklist in mind.

From Putney, walk west past the houseboats and shaded benches along the Thames Path toward Hammersmith. Hammersmith Bridge gives the walk a natural stopping point, and the neighborhoods along the way make it easy to pause for a drink, sit by the water, or simply take your time getting to lunch.

Try Fulham Pier’s Riverside Market if you want plenty of lunch options. The vendors range from easy street-food-style plates to fuller sit-down-worthy meals, so it works whether you want to grab something quick and keep walking or linger by the river a bit longer. On Sundays, The Food Market Chiswick has a more neighborhood feel, with independent producers selling baked goods, seasonal produce, pantry staples, and casual meals.

On your third day, head into central London for the museums. The V&A, the British Museum, and the National Gallery all reward a focused visit, especially if you arrive close to opening and commit to a section or two instead of trying to conquer the whole building. Between them, you can move from fashion, design, and decorative arts at the V&A to antiquities and globally significant artifacts at the British Museum, then finish with European masterworks at the National Gallery. If you’re set on the British Museum or National Gallery, book a timed entry in advance; the V&A is free to enter without booking.

After lunch, spend a couple of hours perusing central London’s bookshops. Bloomsbury is the classic choice, with London Review Bookshop and Persephone Books both nearby, while Marylebone makes a strong alternative for Daunt Books and Travellers’ Tales.

For your final evening, keep things easy and central. This is a good night for a West End dinner, a cocktail somewhere that feels distinctly London, or a show if you want one last flourish before leaving. 1 Leicester Square and Radio Rooftop have elevated cocktails (both in terms of the rooftop setting and the drinks), and there’s always a show happening at the Prince of Wales, Wyndham’s or the Garrick. After a trip that began with the energy of Wimbledon and stretched into slower walks, gardens, and neighborhood stops, ending in London’s center gives you an easy transition back home.