Before you head out for your day at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, here's a list of things you don't want to forget to bring - and a few you want to remember to leave at home.
Do Bring Sun Cream
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Yes, I know, it's hard to believe after years of watching a rained-out Wimbledon, but the sun does shine on London during the tennis fortnight. Only center court is roofed over and the roof is only closed when it rains. We like this combination sunblock and insect repellant - from Sawyer. There may not be any mosquitos at the tennis club but this could be handy when you're camping out or enjoying a riverside pub later.
Do Bring a Sun Hat
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Look for a sun hat that will stand up to a drizzle. But leave the big number with the floppy brim at home - large-brimmed hats are a Wimbledon Don't. A canvas bucket hat, an outback hat or a baseball cap would work well. And Panama hats have been seen in the stands - just make sure the straw will hold up if it rains. The Tilley AIRFLO Vented Hat may not be the height of fashion but it offers +50UPF protection, and it's crush proof for packing and repels rain and mildew.
Do Bring a Bottle of Water
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Do Bring a Folding Rain Poncho
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Do Bring Your Camera
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Do Bring Munchies
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You can bring your own small picnic or supply of snacks, as well as one bottle of wine per person or two cans of beer. But don't expect to consume alcoholic beverages, or anything more substantial than snack foods in the stands. For proper picnic meals, there's the picnic terrace, with lawn tables and chairs if you're lucky, room to spread a picnic on the grass if you're not.
eBags has some neat and discreet insulated totes that look like summer handbags and are just right for the job.
Do Bring Headphones
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And Don't Bring...
- anything that might be taken for a weapon - big kitchen knives, large corkscrews, pepper spray.
- noisemakers, rattles and klaxons
- signs bigger than 2' square
- alcoholic beverages into the stands
- active mobile phones into the stands
- "ambush advertising" merchandise. That's free hats, ponchos, suncreams, umbrellas and other goodies you may have been given while waiting in the Wimbledon queue, heavily branded for the purpose of getting free exposure on television inside the grounds. Normally branded foods and clothing that you've purchased for yourself are allowed but if the items you have are considered to be part of an ambush campaign, they can be temporarily confiscated or you can be refused entry.
