It was actually a property which kick started the growth of Wimbledon. In 1588 Sir Thomas Cecil put Wimbledon on the map when he built a grand manor house, with terraces, courtyards, a chapel and a great hall, on a hill north-east of the church. Tudor and Stuart monarchs such as Queen Elizabeth 1 and James 1 & VI were entertained here on several occasions. He also had the road from London improved so that access became much easier.

This propelled the village towards being one of the social centres of Elizabethan and Stuart England. It attracted increased employment to the area as people were needed to provision and repair the house or were employed as servants or gardeners. Above all it brought the place into contact with the wider world - Government officials, city merchants and the like, who soon realised that Wimbledon was the ideal country retreat, still being just a short horse ride from the City. Leading families attracted to the area included the Cecils, the Churchills and the Spencers.

In 1638 the Manor was sold to the Crown and Queen Henrietta Maria lived here for a time; it then passed through several hands until being bought by Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. Other notable Wimbledon residents at this time were the Duke & Duchess of Cannizaro, Pitt the Younger and his friends, Dundas and Wilberforce.

Wimbledon Common was the scene to many duels, including aristocratic participants such as the Duke of York (1789), Sir Francis Burdelt (1807) and the Marquis of Londonderry (1839). The most famous, however, was that between a Captain Tuckett and James Brudenell, Earl of Cardigan and Colonel of the 14th Hussars - the smartest Regiment in the British Army. (Cardigan is known to history as the commanding officer at the Charge of the Light Brigade). The duel caused a scandal in society circles, leading to a change in the law as duelling fell into disgrace.

The establishment of the railway in 1838 led to a rapid expansion of the town, with the Victorian professional classes buying or building large houses with pleasant gardens. Transport links further improved with the laying of tramlines in 1902, creating the foundation for more expansion.

Much more housing was built as demand soared in the area. The first tram ran in May 1907 and the children at the local Primary School were given the morning off to watch the 'historic event'.

From then on the town continued to grow as more and more people were drawn to the lifestyle it offered, with something for everyone. Wimbledon balances a dynamic community atmosphere and top amenities, just outside to all the attractions and opportunities of London. Wimbledon is also internationally known as the site of the world-class tennis tournament.

There are frequent and fast mainline trains to Waterloo. The District line connects to the Underground network, allowing Wimbledon residents to reach Knightsbridge and the West End quickly and conveniently. There are also a variety of bus routes, including central London.

For drivers, the A3/M3 trunk road provides access to central London, the South of England and the M25 which connects with the motorway network.

There are several excellent educational facilities in the area with a wide choice of schools, both in the State and Independent sectors - including Wimbledon High School for girls and Kings College School for boys.