The Best Places to Play Tennis in London (2026 Player Guide)

London tennis is famous for one thing (Wimbledon) and quietly excellent at a lot of others. The city has hundreds of public courts, a strong members' club tradition, and a growing network of indoor centers that solve the British weather problem. Here are the spots that genuinely work.

The Picks

1. All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon

The grass-court spiritual home. Public ticket access during the Championships; the rest of the year, members and reciprocal-club access only. Worth visiting even just as a tourist.

2. The Queen's Club, West Kensington

Host of the cinch Championships ATP 500 every June. Member-only, with one of the longest waiting lists in London tennis. Mix of grass, clay, and hard courts.

3. Roehampton Club, Roehampton

23 courts across grass, clay, and hard. Strong junior and senior programs. Members-only, generally lower entry barrier than Queen's or Hurlingham.

4. Hurlingham Club, Fulham

14 courts including grass. Famously hard to get into. Plays host to the pre-Wimbledon exhibitions.

5. The Westway Sports Centre, West London

9 indoor courts under a roof. Public booking, walk-in availability. The most reliable indoor tennis in central London.

6. Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Stratford

8 indoor and 8 outdoor courts. Modern facility from the 2012 Olympics legacy. Public booking via Better.

7. The Vanderbilt Racquet Club, Shepherd's Bush

5 indoor courts under a bubble. Convenient for West London players, pay-per-hour and membership options.

8. Holland Park Tennis Courts, Kensington

6 outdoor courts in one of London's most beautiful parks. Council-managed, low-cost, but booking is competitive in summer.

9. Regent's Park Tennis Centre, Marylebone

10 outdoor courts plus indoor coaching facilities. Public access, accessible from central London.

10. Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club, Hampstead

16 courts including grass and clay. Members-only but the most welcoming members club on this list — join queue is real but movable.

What to Bring

London tennis means London weather. Bring layers and a weatherproof racquet bag — ours are made for exactly this climate. The All Court Backpack has a built-in rain cover and weatherproof construction; the Racquet Bag Voyager for the serious tournament regular.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the public play at Wimbledon?

No, except through Wimbledon's youth and community programs. The All England Club is members-only year-round.

What's the cheapest way to play tennis in London?

Council courts via Better or local borough booking systems — typically £7-15 per hour outdoor, £15-25 indoor. Some boroughs offer free off-peak court access with registration.

Where can I play tennis indoor in London year-round?

Westway, Lee Valley, Vanderbilt, and Regent's Park are the main public indoor options. All bookable online and reasonably reliable.

London tennis essentials: All Court Backpack with rain cover · Wet-Dry Bag for British summer kit.