When the scent of freshly mowed grass mingled with deliciously sweet strawberries and thick Jersey cream hits one’s nostrils, and the faint fizz of a fresh jug of Pimm’s being poured is heard like a siren’s call, one knows that the time has finally come for South West London to transform into a posh punter’s paradise.
We are, of course, talking about Wimbledon. The historic, marvellously traditional and quintessentially British sporting event that rolls around each year between late June and early July. With a total prize pot of fifty million pounds, the All England championships has certainly earned its reputation as a hotspot for the UK-dwelling elite.
But it’s not all perfectly crisp linen suits and dazzling white ensembles. Many enthusiasts who don’t want to remortgage their home for a chance to see centre-court in person can purchase grounds passes for £30. This gives us regular folk a chance to don our best summer frocks, pack up a (security-approved) picnic and watch a few games on the big screen at Henman Hill.
That’s right, in case you didn’t know, you can absolutely bring your own food and drink into the Wimbledon grounds – including a bottle of wine per person (oh, how we love being British), as well as two canned cocktails or two cans of beer each. Other restrictions apply, including the size and type of bag that you’re allowed to house your precious nectar in. And don’t even think about bringing a big ‘ole bottle of spirit or fortified wine.
You can bring a bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 30cm, and it will be searched upon entry. Remember to bring your mobile ticket, photo ID, suncream, a hat and an umbrella due to our perennially unpredictable weather.
Whether you’re entering a court or not, you can’t bring hard-sided containers and bags like picnic hampers and cool boxes. Opaque vacuum flasks must be emptied on arrival, so we recommend getting a clear water bottle instead. Liquid containers over 500ml are prohibited, so leave that monstrous Stanley Quencher at home. Camping chairs are also denied, so bring a comfortable picnic blanket.
By failing to prepare for Wimbledon, you prepare to fail. Keep scrolling for the ultimate guide on what to bring to the iconic tennis tournament this summer.
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Food and Drink
Wrapt Picky Bits
The ultimate picnic essential, this delectable selection from Wrapt includes snacking chillies, olives, one customisable main snack, and two customisable canned cocktails. Our personal favourite it the Tiny Tee’s Dirty Martini.
Buy now £50.00, Wrapt
Kylie Minogue Cotes de Provence
She may be Australian, and her wine may be from France, but there’s something distinctly British about Mylie Minogue’s Provence rosé. Delightfully pale and refreshing in the sunshine, it has a dry, minerally finish.
Buy now £13.40, Ocado
Gail’s 10 Smoked Salmon Bagel Halves
To truly win Wimbledon, pre-order some smoked salmon bagel halves. Though you’re not allowed cool boxes on the ground, a bit of tinfoil and a soft, padded thermal bag will keep them cold enough for a few hours. Your tipsy friends will adore you more than ever.
Buy now £35.50, Gail’s
M&S Canned Cocktails
Surprisingly strong, don’t crack open an M&S canned cocktail on an empty stomach – most of them are doubles.
Buy now £2.50, Ocado
Accessories
Kind Bag Crossbody
A Wimbledon green, bottomless crossbody bag? Don’t mind if we do. We love the intricate waffle texture outer fabric, which is sure to zhuzh up any outfit. The accessory also features two inside slip pockets, a zipped pocket, can hold up to 5kg, and is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic.
Buy now £23.95, Kind Bag
Jimmy Fairly The Elvie Sunglasses
Get the look with these incredibly stylish oval acetate frames by Jimmy Fairly – technically for women, but fabulously unisex in our eyes. Pun intended.
Buy now £135.00, Jimmy Fairly
Le Creuset Wine Cooler Sleeve, Volcanic
A tried and true, highly portable favourite which is perfect for cult Le Creuset fans, this wine cooler sleeve by the famed French kitchenware brand is designed to chill white, rose or prosecco during warm summer evenings. Le Creuset suggests storing the sleeve in the freezer prior to use for best results.
When used this way, it can be popped on a bottle of wine which will then be perfectly chilled within 20 minutes. It’s also great for keeping already chilled bottles cool on the dinner table – no ice cubes needed.
Buy now £20.99, Amazon
Bellroy Cooler Caddy
For a cooling-version of the iconic Uniqlo bum bag with 3M Thinsulate insulation, this Bellroy cooler caddy has got your covered. The ingenious design boasts a significant 6-litre capacity, and with its flat bottom and wide-mouth, opening the water-resistant caddy provides easy access to the iciest of brews. You truly won’t need much more for a good old fashioned knees-up at the beach.
Buy now £55.00, Amazon
TBCo Small Recycled Wool Picnic Blanket
Crafted from soft recycled wool, this compact picnic blanket from TBCo is equipped with handy popper buttons for easy unfurling and rolling.
Buy now £59.00, TBCo
Ric Rac Straw Visor
Effortlessly elevate any Wimbledon ensemble with this 50s-inspired straw visor, which features a subtle bow detailing at the back with a wavy black trim.
Buy now £38.00, Anthropologie
The Wimbledon Heirloom Tote Bag
Crafted from stylish and practical cotton towelling material, this fantastic reversible tote by Christy’s can be green or purple depending on which way you flip it. It’s also machine-washable and highly absorbent – perfect for any unruly picnic spillages.
Buy now £75.00, Christy
Evervessel Glass Multi
No opaque, vacuum-sealed bottles allowed? No problem. Evervessel’s Glass Multi is as chic as it is practical. Its award-winning design features double-walled insulation and comes with a tea infuser accessory, making it perfect for potentially rainy tennis days. It’ll keep cold drinks cool for up to six hours and hot drinks piping for up to three hours. It’s also scratch-resistant and dishwasher-safe. A brilliant desk companion for when you’re not at Wimbledon.
Buy now £39.00, Amazon
The Go-To Mix & Match Picnic Wine Glasses Set of 2
One of the most ingenious picnic accessories we’ve ever come across here at Standard Shopping, these crystal-cut wine glasses plant directly into grass, sand or soil with colourful pins. They’re available in a variety of hues and sizes too.
Buy now £60.00, The Go-To
Parfois Bamboo Dragonfly Fan
Though they definitely require more effort, manual fans are far more stylish and less obtrusive than electric ones. Opt for a fashion-forward bamboo option, like this dragonfly-adorned one from Parfois.
Buy now £15.99, Parfois
Fulton x Morris & Co Floral-Print Umbrella
Allow a blanket of succulent lemons and yellow blooms to shield you from the drizzle. This Fulton x Morris & Co parasol embraces dopamine accessorising for when the weather doesn't play ball.
Buy now £27.00, Selfridges
Ablutions
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Aquagel UV Serum SPF 30 50ml
This is a cult-favourite among the Standard Shopping team, so much so that one of us has turned our entire extended family (full of fair-skinned beauties) onto the product. La Roche-Posay’s Hyalu B5 Aquagel UV Serum is equipped with powerful SPF 30 and has a gel-like consistency that melts into the skin like water. It’s void of any grease or residue and feels more like an ultra-hydrating serum base than an uber protective sunscreen. It’s one to pop in your bag and take with you wherever you roam, whether the sun’s out or not.
Buy now £39.90, Cult Beauty
Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers
Makeup melting off your skin in the summer heat? Blot those oily patches away with the help of these fantastic Japanese blotting papers by Tatcha, which not only remove excess oil without ruining your makeup but leave behind a dewy-not-greasy incandescent glow with the help of 23-karat gold flakes. Now that’s luxury.
Buy now £12.00, Space NK
Tower28 SOS Rescue Spray
Tower28’s viral SOS Rescue Spray is certainly having its moment on TikTok. The rejuvenating and purifying toner provides instantaneous skin relief and is beneficial to those with highly sensitive, acne-prone skin. The alcohol-free formulation is, of course, powered by hypochlorous acid, and is safe to use anywhere on your skin.
Use in place of a toner in the AM and PM, as well as for refreshing your skin over makeup and as needed throughout the day to refresh and purify. Plus, it comes approved by the National Eczema Association.
Buy now £28.00, Sephora
Aesop Deodorant Roll-On
Tackle unwanted scents while on the move with this portable roll-on, alcohol-free deodorant by Aesop. Delightfully fragrant, it has notes of vetiver root, tea tree, coriander, ginger and sage. Its creamy texture offers fuss-free and moisturising application.
Buy now £27.00, Space NK
Wet Ones Be Fresh Biodegradable Antibacterial wipes
Always be fresh with the help of the handbag hero that is a pack of Wet Ones, biodegradable antibacterial wipes.
Buy now £1.25, Ocado
