Wimbledon has demolished the grassy expanse known as Henman Hill to rebuild and improve the space for its 150th anniversary next year. The grass slope, located next to No 1 Court, is packed with fans throughout the two weeks of the Championships and space is often claimed early in the day and marked with picnic blankets.
Redevelopment Plans and New Features
To coincide with the 150th anniversary celebrations in 2027, Wimbledon has started to redevelop the site. At the time of writing the hill might look more like a muddy heap or a building site, but the plans include an increased capacity by about 20 per cent by reducing the hill’s gradient to something more akin to gentle terracing to allow for more seating and greater access.
Wimbledon’s hill has been a part of SW19 since 1997, but will now have a new pergola, which will provide some shaded respite from the summer heat, as well as protection from the rain. The pergola will wrap around the 150-year-old oak tree, while tarmac paths are due to be replaced by a permeable resin.
Speaking in 2025 when the plans were announced, Deborah Jevans, the chairwoman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, said: “The redevelopment of our world-famous hill, in time for The Championships 2027, will allow even more tennis fans to enjoy its unique atmosphere and vantage point. I am particularly pleased that these plans will increase the accessibility of the hill for our guests using wheelchairs or who have additional accessibility requirements.”
She added: “It is an exciting opportunity as we look towards 2027 and the 150th anniversary of the first Championships.”
History and Memorable Moments
The hill might be best known to those of a certain age as Henman Hill, but has also been known as Murray Mound, or for those watching the Championships last year, even Arthur’s Seat to commemorate Arthur Fery’s run to the semi-finals while ranked outside the world’s top 100.
When Fery beat Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-finals, the cheers from the hill were so loud that they halted play on No 1 Court: an unprecedented situation in the experience of Dan Bloxham, Wimbledon’s long-serving master of ceremonies.
