Aug 29

Aug 29 Real Tennis Courts in the UK

Oli Harris

Review

Real Tennis : A list of Real Tennis courts in the UK, but only those that are ‘active’ and in constant use.

There are 27 Real Tennis Courts in the United Kingdom, and they are fairly well spread around. We have compiled a list and noted some interesting features about each court based on our playing experience and other anecdotal notes.

Bristol Real Tennis Club

Beggar Bush Playing Fields, Abbots Lee Road
Bristol
BS8 3QD

Website

Notes

Quite a bouncy court, and shoots into you as receiver when there is a lot of side on the ball and it also hits the service end back wall.
Has a good student membership for obvious reasons.

Cambridge University Tennis Court

Grange Road
Cambridge
CB3 9DJ

Website

Notes

Obviously a good student membership, lots of people discover Real Tennis here.
Have not played the court so can offer no insight! In fact, there are 2 of them!

Canford School

Wimborne Minster
Dorset
BH21 3AD

Website

Notes

Has an active club outside of school pupils
Court was built in 1879
Head pro Steve Ronaldson is one of many from the same family coaching the game today

Falkland Palace Royal Tennis Club

Falkland
Fife
Scotland
KY15 7BU

Website

Notes

The only open air court in the world, that I know of.
It is not a typical Real Tennis court, but a Jeu de Quarre, which means it has no Dedans or Tambour, but instead has 4 ‘lunes’ at the service end. They look quite hard to hit.
It was built in around 1539, so has been there a while.

Hardwick House

Whitchurch
Reading
Berkshire
RG8 7RB

There is no website as the court is part of a private house, if you want some information, best to contact Chantelle Harding (secretary of the court) on +44 1491 872 706

Notes

Plays ‘true’ and is a wonderful example of a court built by Joseph Bickley, who was known as the finest builder of Tennis, Fives and Rackets courts back in the day.
The court is set in beautiful grounds, with a stream running through the magnificent grounds.
It is rumoured that Hardwick house was the inspiration for Toad Hall, from Wind in the Willows.

Hatfield House Tennis Club

Fore Street Lodge, Hatfield House
Old Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL9 5NF

Website

Notes

I always liked this court to play on, the floor is very shiny and from memory the ball keeps a bit lower, though it has been sometime since I played there.

Another ‘house’ court, it was built in 1842, and is still in fantastic condition.

Situated within the grounds of Hatfield House in a truly beautiful setting with one of the truest bouncing flagstone floors in the country due to the floor being suspended with archways underneath the court which keeps the flagstones level.

Unique Local Rules:

In each top corner above the wall is a netted area within white posts. Due the walls being low if the ball strikes the penthouse and then the netting within the posts the ball is still in play. In simple terms, it is as an extension of the wall stopping a ball that would be in at other courts otherwise going out of play.
Through the beams is out.
The pale blue line at the top of the wall is in play.

Subsidised introductory lessons available for people interested in taking up the game at the club please get In touch via their website: https://www.hatfieldhouserealtennis.com/contact-us

Holyport Real Tennis Club

Holyport Street, Holyport
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 2JR

Website

Notes

One of the great social clubs, it has a large and passionate community, if you live in the Berkshire area, it is a must have membership if you are into, or want to try the games.
Another private court built ‘at the bottom of the garden’ in 1889.

Hyde Tennis Club

Walditch
Bridport
Dorset
DT6 4LB

Website

Notes

Surely the most remote of the courts in England, set in the Dorset countryside, Hyde Tennis Club is unique.
Another court we have not played, but will be there as soon as we are able.

Jesmond Dene Real Tennis Club

Matthew Bank
Jesmond
Newcastle
NE2 3RE

Website

Notes

The court is situated just a few miles from Newcastle town centre, and has a flourishing membership.
New head Pro Mark Eadle was a former professional footballer for Oxford United.

Leamington Tennis Court Club

50 Bedford Street
Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV32 5DT

Website

Notes

One of the great clubs of the United Kingdom, Leamington harks back to a time when playing games and enjoying life were more of a priority than they are now.
The court is great and one of the best courts for ‘seeing the ball’.
The club has a flourishing lunchtime social scene with members popping in for lunch most days. Tournament weekends here are legendary.

Manchester Tennis and Racquet Club

33 Blackfriars Road
Salford
Manchester
M3 7AQ

Website

Notes

Yet another of the great clubs, with a fantastic wine cellar, a rackets court and traditional indoor bowling alley.
The court is beautifully maintained and will reward cut and spin, especially on the serve.
A very friendly club with traditional changing facilities, for fans of sporting clubs, you must pay this one a visit.

MCC - Lords

The Tennis Court, Lord's Ground
St John's Wood
London
NW8 8QN

Website

Notes

The home of cricket is also home to a Real Tennis Court
One of the best courts we have played on, it is fast and true, with a cool electronic scoreboard if you have a marker
The viewing gallery behind the Dedans is great for drinks and is a great place to watch serious tennis.

Middlesex University Real Tennis Club

The Millennium Real Tennis Court, Hendon Campus, 2 Campus Way
Hendon
London
NW4 4BT

Website

Notes

One of the newest courts in the country, it is modern in its setup and construction', with a beautiful natural wood finish offsetting the blue of the court.
Fast, bouncy and lively with spin, you will need to move your feet here if you don’t want to get cramped all the time.

Moreton Morrell Tennis Court Club

Moreton Morrell
Warwick
Warwickshire
CV35 9AL

Website

Notes

I would describe the court as ‘hard’. The ball pings on the walls and sometimes takes the spin severely and other times seems to glance of the walls more.
The floor is true and it can get cold on the court so the bounce is reduced even further.
A lovely secluded court, a true gem in the countryside

Newmarket Real Tennis Club

Fitzroy Street
Newmarket
Suffolk
CB8 0JT

Website

Notes

Not far from Tattersalls, the most famous thoroughbred auctioners, is the Real Tennis court in Newmarket.
Unassuming but right in the centre of town, it is a novelty that most people in the town would not know about.
Another court we are yet to play on, but that will be put right very soon!

Oratory Tennis Club

The Sports Centre, The Oratory School, Woodcote
Reading
Berkshire
RG8 0PJ

Website

Notes

The court is unique in having a double tiered viewing gallery above the Dedans, which is spectacular to look at.
Another school court, both Claire and Rob Fahey will be working here from September 2019, so the place to be if you want your children to learn from the best!

Oxford University Tennis Court

Merton College, Merton Street
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX1 4JD

Website

Notes

The court is used by both university students and members of the club, and anyone can join.
A court in a town centre is a rare thing, so if you are visiting Oxford, it is certainly worth a look

Petworth House Tennis Club

Estate Yard, Petworth House
Petworth
Sussex
GU28 0DU

Website

Notes

This court reminds me of a murder mystery for some reason. The doorways, the gardens, the fact that I first played there when a storm was raging outside.
Another one of the formerly private house courts, it is still used an awful lot and is worth a visit. A day out walking around Petworth and spending time at the court is recommended!

Prested Hall

Prested Hall Feering Chase
Nr Kelvedon
Essex
CO5 9EE

Website

Notes

Bouncy and with some cool features like a glass back wall at the receiving end, Prested is one of few clubs with 2 Real Tennis courts.
Formerly the site of the infamous ‘Herbert Cup’, the club has seen some impressive social tournaments in its history… long may that continue.

Queen’s Club

Palliser Road
West Kensington
London
W14 9EQ

Website

Notes

Another club which has two courts, East and West, with the East being the better of the two.
The court rewards good serving, and you can see the best players in the World practicing various types in the run up to the big tournaments.
The club is of course famous for the Fever Tree Championships of Lawn tennis, as well as being the home of Rackets and a centre of squash excellence as well.

Radley College Tennis Court

Sports Centre Radley College
Abingdon
Oxon
OX14 2HU

Website

Notes

One of the newer courts on the list, we had the pleasure of being one of the early players on the court, and it played well, but can be lively off the penthouse.
The court has flourished under the watchful eye of Chris Ronaldson and has a very popular club section.

Royal Tennis Court

Hampton Court Palace
East Molesey
Surrey
KT8 9AU

Website

Notes

The most famous of all the courts, for its association with King Henry VIII. It has been in use since the 16th Century.
It is about a foot longer than other courts, and that can sometimes throw you off a bit!
It is good for those that like to play with a watching crowd, as during Palace opening hours there is steady stream of tourists passing by the galleries who take great interest in what is happening on court.

Seacourt

Victoria Avenue
Hayling Island
Hampshire
PO11 9AJ

Website

Notes

A flourishing club by the sea on Hayling Island.
All the racket sports are played here but Real Tennis is the centrepiece, the court is true and has hosted many major tournaments.
The club is responsible for many of the worlds current top players, and is known for its superb junior programme.