Centre Court | Wimbledon

The grass courts at Wimbledon are where the whole thing happens - Centre Court itself is the theatre where champions are made and nerves are absolutely shredded in front of thousands. You can only get in here during the Championships in late June and early July, when the tournament is running. The rest of the year, the All England Club keeps it locked down tight.

If you do manage to get tickets during the fortnight, the experience is genuinely special. The court is smaller than you'd think from telly - the intimacy of it hits you straightaway. The grass is immaculate, the crowd is respectful and knowledgeable, and there's an atmosphere that's more about reverence than rowdiness. Tennisheads will be in absolute heaven. Families with younger kids might find sitting through three sets of men's singles a bit grim, though mixing in some doubles or ladies' matches keeps things fresher.

Tickets are notoriously hard to come by and expensive when you do land them. The ballot system means you need serious luck. During off-season, the courts aren't open to the public, so you're looking at the Championships only. Allow a full day if you've got tickets - you'll want to arrive early, soak it in, and probably hang around the grounds exploring the other courts too.

It's in south-west London, and Lovat Parks is just five miles away, making it a sensible base if you're planning a proper Wimbledon pilgrimage during the tournament. Book your accommodation well in advance - the whole area fills up fast.