1925

Centre Court, 1925
© TopFoto.co.uk

• To make sure of a seat in the grand stand round the Centre Court at Wimbledon, one must book one’s seat well in advance nowadays. Even the available standing-room is taken up early. At the old Wimbledon, during an exciting final, as much as £1 sterling (in gold!) was once paid for a mere brick to stand on by an enthusiast anxious to see better.
  
  
• Never interfere with the verdict and ruling of any umpire, or linesman, while a match is in progress. They are all amateurs, who undertake these onerous and thankless duties as a labour of love. They do their best but are not infallible. Nothing is more irritating to them and the players in court than outside interference, no matter how well justified.
  
  
• Do not occupy a numbered seat in the stands to which you have no right; it causes a lot of vexation to the real owners when they arrive.
  
  
• Do not carry on a loud conversation with your neighbours during a match, or applaud too frequently and noisily. The players themselves far prefer to have none.
  
  
• A pair of good binoculars prove very useful in the stands, to look at the players and the celebrities.
  
  
• Smokers should be very careful in throwing their matches away, as there are so many inflammable dresses about. Besides, smoking is not always agreeable to one’s neighbours as in restaurants.
  
  
• Leave before the end of a big match, if you wish to get home, or to your train, quickly and comfortably.

2007

Andy Murray and fans at Wimbledon, 2006
© TopFoto.co.uk/ProSport

• You’ve got to start queuing really early for a show court ticket [Click here to read the guidance from Andrew Gairdner, chief steward, about queuing].
  
  
• If you get a ground pass go directly to one of the outside courts with seats - get a seat and stay in it!
  
  
• If you want to see the action on Centre Court go to Henman Hill to watch it on the big screen, but again, arrive early as it can only accommodate 500 people. Alternatively, you can buy a Centre Court ticket later on in the day when people hand theirs in as they leave.
  
  
• Court etiquette: no mobile phones, no flash photography, no shouting or swearing. Even if you support one side more than the other, a polite Wimbledon audience will always make sure there is equal applause. Never boo. No standing up out of your seats, no matter how good the play and only get up to leave at the change of ends.
  
  
• Celebrity-spotting: to catch a glimpse of your favourite players go to the practice courts in the far north of the complex, or hang around at the front entrance of the Clubhouse where the cars draw up. If it’s other celebrities you’re after (and you’re on Centre Court), get your binoculars out and scan the Royal Box. The Players Box is also worth a look to follow the expressions of the wives/husbands and coaches of the players.  For the more intrepid, the local streets and cafés around Wimbledon are also good places to spot the stars unwinding.
  
  
• Food and drink: drink Pimm's and eat strawberries and cream, of course, but you might be best to save your cash and bring a picnic. Don’t forget - no barbecues on Henman Hill!
  
  
• What to bring: sun cream, a hat, long sleeves, an umbrella, a rain coat, a cushion, a good book or an iPod in case it rains for a long time, a radio so you can listen to the commentary on whichever court you’re not on (iPod headphones will come in handy now), your Brit player support banner or similar (face paint, flag, etc).
  
  
• If you want to get on television: opinion is divided on how best to do this. Sitting next to a beautiful girl was one suggestion, bringing something of note was another (see Brit player banner, above).