Wimbledon is the name of mellifluous any tennis fan. At the same time, it is a very peculiar district in South-West London, which is divided into "city" and "village".

For the first time, Wimbledon is mentioned in the Charter of king Edgar the Peaceful (967 year). The local manor has consistently belonged to the crown, many owners who have had one thing in common – they all belonged to the brilliant British nobility. For centuries coexisted there near the peasants, the nobility and rich merchants.

Upheaval in the quiet life of the town occurred in 1838, when there was a South-Western railway. Part of the land owner, the Duke of Somerset was sold for construction of villas and townhouses. The population grew quickly, and in 1876 opened the first store, in 1887 – library. In 1894 Wimbledon turned into a city district with an elected Board.

During the Second world war many buildings were destroyed by bombing, after the war they were replaced by multi-family housing. Wimbledon has acquired a modern look. Today it's a rich suburb that is next door stand modern small home and Victorian mansions. But it is in the part that is known as "the city". Around the same high street is the area that is considered a "village": it has preserved the features of a medieval English village – a two-storey red-brick houses, pubs, gardens. But real estate in this "village" is one of the most expensive in London.

The paradox is quite understandable: to "the village" adjacent reserve Wimbledon common – a huge wasteland with mixed forests, pristine ponds and marshes. 460 hectares of unspoiled nature with natural flora and fauna lie within London! Londoners, passionate dog lovers, consider these places are best for dogs. Tourists, gathered here for a walk, it is worth remembering the marshes, ditches and thickets BlackBerry and dress accordingly.

International fame Wimbledon has brought to the sport. In 1877 there was held the first championship in lawn tennis. Today, the Championships, Wimbledon is the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. At Wimbledon stadium competitions in Speedway, dog racing, car racing.

The center of cultural life of the area – New Wimbledon theatre, which opened in 1910. Its dome is decorated with a gilded statue of the Roman goddess of fun Letitia. During the Second world war the statue was temporarily removed – she was too good benchmark for Nazi bombers. Wimbledon in this sense appealing place to be: on the local Heath fell to the sixth round with the Martians during their invasion described by Hg wells in "war of the worlds".