Merton

A first trip to Merton is really a chance to slow down and eat well. This is a borough of neighbourhoods rather than a single centre, spreading from Wimbledon down through Morden and Mitcham, and most visitors find themselves gravitating towards whichever pocket they're staying in rather than trying to cover the whole area in one go. Wimbledon Sprinkler Park gives families and anyone after some outdoor time a easy, low-key spot to head for, especially on a warm afternoon.

Where you stay in Merton shapes your visit more than in most parts of London, since it's a residential borough without a single obvious tourist strip. Wimbledon tends to be the most familiar base, with good transport links back into central London, while Morden and Mitcham offer a quieter, more local feel if you'd rather explore at a slower pace.

Beyond the park, the real draw here is simply spending time in a part of London that functions as a proper place to live, not just a place to visit. Wandering between the different pockets of Merton, popping into shops, and catching the atmosphere of ordinary south London streets is, for many first-time visitors, the point of coming.

Coffee and dessert stops are just as easy to find. Pawelek Coffee Shop and Ice Cream is a good example of the neighbourhood cafés dotted throughout the borough, ideal for a break between exploring different areas or before heading home. Between the park, the everyday rhythm of its high streets, and its enormous choice of restaurants, Merton rewards visitors who come without a fixed itinerary and let the borough set the pace.