There are lots of places throughout London where you can indulge your passion for tennis, from exclusive membership-only clubs to free ‘turn up and play’ courts. Navigating your way around the needlessly complex local authority and leisure centre websites can leave you throwing your racquet down in frustration though, so consider saving some time by booking by telephone.
Clapham Common Tennis Courts (South West London)
On the south side of the Common, five minutes from Clapham South tube station and 25 minutes from Clapham Junction railway station you will find the excellent facilities of Clapham Common Tennis Courts, still fresh from the recent renovations financed by Lambeth Council and the Lawn Tennis Association. All eight courts are outdoors and five of them are floodlit in the evenings (the courts are open from 8am through to 10pm in the summer). The flat, even surface adds to the popularity of these courts and, although there is a payment hut on site, it is best to book, especially after 5pm on a week day. The number for booking is 020 7223 9837 and it used to be possible to get a game for just £5 an hour.
There is plenty of Pay & Display street parking on the nearby residential streets and also near the Windmill on the Common pub 5 minutes away.
Islington Tennis Centre (North London)
Islington Tennis Centre on Market Road also has eight courts but six of them are indoors, complete with viewing gallery. The Centre is very popular and contains a newly extended 50 station gym and group exercise studio as well as a sauna & steam room. There used to be adult drop in sessions for less than £10 for three hours, but the Centre has recently changed hands from Aquaterra to GLL (Better) and it looks like you need to become a member now (although all profit will be reinvested into the facilities). There are numerous membership options, including student membership, and the Centre can be contacted on 020 7700 1370. The centre opens at 7am daily (8am weekends) and closes at 11pm (10pm Friday to Sunday). Caledonian Road is the nearest tube station to the Centre, with Caledonian Road & Barnsbury the closest railway station.
Regent’s Park Tennis Centre (North London)
If you fancy playing your tennis in one of London’s royal parks, then make your way to Regent’s Park Tennis Centre (entrance on the west side near York Bridge). Regent’s Park Tennis Centre was the first non-council facility to receive Lawn Tennis Association accreditation and the Centre is now run by Will to Win in association with the Royal Parks.
Bookings can be made in person, by telephone or online and the standard adult session cost is £10 per court hour (£12 after 5pm, on weekends and during Bank Holidays). Booking in advance is recommended; occasional players can book up to three days in advance, while regular players with a Smartcard have the option of booking a court a full seven days before.
As well as 12 hard courts, four of them floodlit, the Park itself boasts the largest public green space in London, with 100 acres available for the rest of the family to enjoy while you play.
Hyde Park Tennis Courts (Central London)
Hyde Park Tennis Courts (situated to the south of the park on South Carriage Drive) are another Will to Win/Royal Parks collaboration, and are ideally situated if you are staying in the city centre. As with Regent’s Park Tennis Centre, Smartcard holders can book up to seven days in advance, while non-card holders have a three day window. Prices per court hour are £13 (£14 after 5pm, on weekends and on Bank Holidays). A team of coaches are available for private lessons, charging around £45 to £50, although you can bring an extra one or two friends for just £5 or £10 more. Hyde Park Tennis Centre contains six LTA accredited courts and two mini-courts. It is open all year round from 8am (7am May to August). There is also a changing pavilian, cafe and pleasant garden area nearby as well as a bowling green and nine-hole putting green.
Chiswick Tennis Centre (West London)
If you’re based in west London, Chiswick Tennis Centre is worth a visit (not to be confused with Chiswick Tennis Club). This is yet another LTA-accredited Will to Win run facility with seven hard courts, changing room, sports shop and cafe. The courts are available all year round, and the pavilion is open from 9am to 8pm daily (weather permitting. Occasional users pay £8 for an hour on court (credit card only) and can book one day in advance, while Smartcard holders can book up to seven days ahead and pay just £7 an hour. If you have a student ID card or senior’s Freedom Pass you can take a pound off these prices, while junior rates (16 and under) are £3.50 (£4.50 with card) with the exception of a free walk-on period from 3pm to 6pm.
All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (South London)
Do you have friends in high places? You will need them to get a game at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club as this is the home of Wimbledon. If you do happen to have three Wimbledon members willing to invite you to join – or you are an LTA-sponsored star – you will have 41 grass, 11 mixed and 5 indoor courts to choose from. If not, then I’m afraid you will have to be content with visiting the famous courts and museum before heading over to nearby Wimbledon Tennis Park to play while dreaming about becoming the next Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic.
Streatham Vale Park (South West London)
And finally, a breath of fresh air. Five minutes walk from Streatham Common, Streatham Vale Park contains three tennis courts of that are absolutely free with no booking required. There is also plenty of free parking on the nearby streets and, to cap it all, the courts are surprisingly quiet most of the time.
Of course there are plenty more tennis courts to choose from in London. For a bigger list, see the London Tennis website.
