Often dubbed as the sporting capital of the world, London is the ultimate destination for a few sporty days out, from the strawberry-and-cream flavoured Wimbledon to the hot dog and fries at the vibrant football stadiums.
In between, the charming venues of some of the sporting activities England has cradled for generations can be real highlights of a very outdoor-sy trip to London.
Where to stay: 43 Best Hotels in London
The BusinessClass.com guide to London's top ten Sporting venues:
1. Wimbledon
The only Grand Slam to be still played on grass, which is where the name lawn tennis originated, this suburban neighbourhood on the outskirts of southwest London is the tennis fan’s ultimate mecca. Get close to the Championship Trophies, browse through the memorabilia from your favourite stars through the ages and feel the fabrics of tennis fashions from the Victorian era in the impeccably-maintained Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum for an immersive experience that takes in the history and traditions of the championship.
The new, permanent interactive gallery meticulously traces the Open Era years and the other highlights of your tour includes the fabled Centre Court, Gentleman’s Dressing Room, the press zone and the iconic Henman Hill, where, during the annual Wimbledon championships, crowds of people without showcourt tickets can watch the matches live on a giant television screen on the side of Court No. 1. And if your visit coincides with the fortnight-long tournament in end of June-early July, get hold of the tickets and be witness to some serve-and-volley action at the Centre Court with strawberries and clotted cream – the proverbial Wimbledon treat.
2. Twickenham
Home of England Rugby, the largest dedicated rugby union venue in the world and one of London's premier entertainment venues, Twickenham stadium is a destination for rugby fans from across the globe. This is quite the best place to experience the frenzied action on the pitch, take an immersive tour of the World Rugby Museum, learn the history of the iconic stadium, visit the well-stocked Rugby Store and even dance away to the scintillating music of some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
An exciting highlight of the trip is a visit down the player's tunnel into the England dressing room where you will learn about the match-day preparations and routines of international rugby players. Finish your tour with a visit to the world's most extensive collection of rugby football memorabilia where you can marvel at the curated collection, and also put your rugby skills and knowledge to the test at the Play Rugby Interactive Zone, packed with a scrum machine, line-out jump test, and kicking machine. And if you are there during the prestigious Autumn Nations Series, catch some breathtaking pitch-side actions over the four thrilling rounds.
3. Lord’s
A trip to the Lord's Cricket Ground is not only for cricket aficionados but for looking for the quintessential British experience. Draped in history and tradition, boasting of a unique ground architecture and housing a stupendous collection of cricket memorabilia, the Lord’s experience is replete with a champagne and nibbles reception in the Bowlers’ Bar at the iconic Pavilion followed by a guided walk from the dressing room through the hallowed Long Room to the outfield, where your host, a cricketing legend, will recount some of his experiences of playing in Lord’s from his cricketing days.
An added attraction is the MCC Museum, the world’s oldest sporting museum, crammed with an extensive collection of memorabilia from some of the game’s greatest legends and also significant objects that have an everlasting impact on cricket history such as the tiny urn that contains the proverbial Ashes. Top off the experience with a delectable three-course lunch at the Players Dining Room – the match day menu includes a homemade soup, the choice of three main dishes and a dessert together with a selection of beer, or a wine or soft drinks.
4. Stoke Park
Remember the golfing scenes starring Sean Connery and Gert Frobe in the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger? Well, they were shot in Stoke Park Golf Club, the iconic 300-acre sporting and leisure estate of parkland, lakes, gardens and monuments and the first country club of UK dating back to 1908. Located in Buckinghamshire County in south-eastern London, Stoke Park is steeped in thousand years of colourful history. It changed hands numerous times, owned once by Queen Elizabeth I and recently purchased by the Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani.
A stunningly beautiful 27-hole golf course was designed by the world-renowned golf course architect Harry Shapland Colt when the property was owned by Nicholas Lane Jackson in the early decades of the 20th century. The 50000-square-foot clubhouse, originally the private home of the Penn family (founders of Pennsylvania), is a late 18th-century Grade I Palladian Mansion and houses state-of-the-art sporting and recreation facilities, apart from the club’s 21 bedrooms. Individual golfers are only allowed as resident at the hotel, but society and corporate golfing, with a minimum of 8 players, is welcome at this elegant and historic parkland course.
5. Emirates Stadium
Home of Arsenal FC, since its completion in 2006, Emirates Stadium is located in Holloway. The entire stadium project cost was a whopping £390 million. If you are there on a match day, immerse yourself into the electrifying pre-match atmosphere through a guided tour of player fitness tests, ex-player pitch side TV interviews, player sightings and a privy place in the dugout hours before the kickoff. The stadium tour is open year-round where you can access the Directors Box, Diamond Box, Players Dressing Room and Tunnel, as well as the Pitchside and Home Dugouts, making use of state-of-the-art handset technology. You can choose to be guided by an Arsenal legend who will bring the tour to life with personal, behind-the-scenes anecdotes and backstories from his playing days at this iconic stadium.
Top it up with the Arsenal Museum tour to learn the proud history of the club meticulously documented and displayed in the two impressive video theatres in the museum. And if you are a true Arsenal fan, do not miss the chance to browse through the memorabilia laced with fond memories of Arsenal heroes over the years - Jens Lehmann's goalkeeper gloves, Michael Thomas' boots and Charlie George's FA Final Cup shirt from 1971 among them.
6. Stamford Bridge
Adjacent to the borough of Chelsea in West London, Stamford Bridge is home to the Premier League club Chelsea. Built in 1876, this is one of the oldest football grounds in England and has been the home of Chelsea Football Club since the club was founded in 1905. The illustrious history of one of England’s best known clubs comes to life on the 30-minue visual presentation in the club museum followed by an hour-long guided tour of the dressing rooms, the press room, players’ tunnels, pitchside and stupendous views from the Shed Upper stand.
And if you are a true-blue Chelsea fan, book yourself the exclusive VIP Tour, escorted by a private tour guide through the immersive experience of the stadium and the museum, pose for a photograph with the Chelsea FC trophy collection and enjoy a delectable 2-course meal at Frankie’s Sports Bar & Grill at Stamford Bridge.
7. Regent’s Park
Fitness freak, are you? Do you carry your running shoes to every destination? Then head straight over to Regent’s Park - King Henry VIII’s favourite hunting ground from the early 16th century is now a huge public park featuring several running routes. Kick start with a light jog across the 2-km long Avenue Gardens on the Regent’s Park Tube station end or the leafy 1.35 km stretch called “The Hub”, perched in the middle of Regent’s Park. For a longer haul, take the route that rings the lake for about 3-km or the 4.5 km. outer circle of the park.
For hardcore runners looking to push the envelope, a run up the Primrose hill can be a good challenge. The park, which also features open fields, gardens, restrooms, cafés and the London Zoo, regularly hosts running events on the six-lane cinder tracks with very long straights and extremely tight bends. On scheduled timings throughout the week, running clubs organise structured sessions of team-based workouts with drills, sprints, endurance intervals and core work. A perfect opportunity to improve your running style, technique, speed and stamina.
8. Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds
Home to some of the best outdoor swimming spots in London including three natural freshwater ponds and one Lido, Hampstead Heath is the best swimming spot in London. While the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond, Highgate Men’s Pond and Hampstead Mixed Pond are meant for strong swimmers – they are deep and the water gets freezing cold in winter - the Parliament Hill Lido, which is a 60 metre long open-air swimming pool open throughout the year, can be accessed by intermediate swimmers and children and also features a sauna with hourly slots.
In the three natural ponds, children up to 15 years must be accompanied by an adult and all children are required to complete a Swim Test to show competency in the water when returning to the bathing ponds or swimming at the facility for the first time. This outdoor swimming in a tranquil, natural setting can be a refreshing experience especially in the warmer months. With lifeguards on a constant vigil, it is pretty safe with a chilled vibe, where you can take a break from the hustle and bustle, without feeling disconnected. Do remember that they do not have locker facilities.
9. Hyde Park Stables
If you are a horse person, Hyde Park Stables offer unique riding experiences in one of the world’s oldest equestrian venues. The iconic Central London establishment started its journey more than 300 years ago, and when it recently changed hands in 2018, Ellie Hall McAteer, the new owner, saw this as an opportunity to encourage more people to take up this outdoor sport and experience the sheer joy of being a hippophile! If you are an experienced rider, re-evaluate your skills and test your fitness levels with a ride on Rotten Row and around the beautiful Serpentine Lake inside Hyde Park, which served as a venue during the 2012 London Olympics.
Solo private rides on well-trained horses, escorted by knowledgeable instructors in a verdant setting – that can be a truly enthralling experience. Novice riders are kept safe on the lead rein, while more experienced ones can have independent rides in the outdoor arena. Hyde Park Stables also offer the unique experience of seeing London from a horseback.
10. Ham Polo Club
Situated in Richmond in Southwest London, Ham Polo Club, established in 1926, is one of the oldest polo clubs in the United Kingdom and the last surviving club in London. The club's facilities include three polo fields (two boarded), a stick and ball field, an exercise track, livery service, coaching and a members' clubhouse with a restaurant and bar. The iconic establishment comes alive in the polo season between May and September, and a number of tournaments such as the Summer Tournament, the Billy Walsh Tournament and the Roehampton Trophy run throughout the season. Another highlight of the season is the much-vaunted Chakravarty Cup, where the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) had played for almost a decade, and now his sons participate.
The club also regularly hosts charity events, where eminent socialites and celebrities rub shoulders. The historic establishment offers visitors unique glimpses into its world of antiquated charm and sporty vibes, and you can enjoy polo on Saturday mornings with a Clubhouse brunch booking or on Sundays by purchasing picnic tickets or even a Clubhouse Day Membership that includes lunch.
Where to stay: 43 Best Hotels in London
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