Picking up tennis is a courageous endeavour but, speaking from experience, pulling together a group of friends for some casual (or very competitive) tennis outings becomes almost impossible when one starts thinking of where to play and how to book courts in the area. Together with Chenoa, we’ve put together a list of courts with all relevant details for making the best choice next time you decide to brush up on your tennis skills.
#1. Tower Hamlets Tennis – Victoria Park
Address: Victoria Park, London E9 5DY
Price per hour: Adults – £4 or 6 per hour (peak/off-peak) and U18s & Senior Citizens -£2 discount
Opening times: Every day at 7am-9pm
Booking link: https://www.towerhamletstennis.org.uk/victoria-park
One can never run out of activities when visiting Victoria Park – one of such activities being the Tower Hamlets tennis courts. Victoria Park tennis courts not only showcase 4 porous macadam courts but also come with a hitting/practice wall. Located between the Peoples Park Tavern and St Marks Gate, the courts are available for booking for 1-2 consecutive hours.
#2. Clissold Park Tennis Courts
Address: London N16 0BF
Price per hour: £4.20 (standard)
Opening times: Every day at 7am-9pm
Booking link: https://www.hackneytennis.co.uk/booking/clissold-park-courts/
Clissold Park Tennis Courts provide a choice between porous macadam courts (6 of which are floodlit) and 2 mini tennis courts. Along with your booking, the courts offer a pavilion with toilets, showers, changing facilities and a tennis shop with racket and ball hire. The site also runs a coaching programme for everyone regardless of age and ability, ensuring everyone in your party can have an enjoyable and engaging experience.
#3. Finsbury Park Tennis Courts
Address: Finsbury Park, London N4 3ET
Price per hour: FREE Mon-Fri 7am-10am, £3 10am-4pm and £6 all other times (additional £2 for floodlights)
Opening times: Every day at 7am-10pm
Booking link: https://finsburyparktennis.org.uk/courts/
A friendly and open area for tennis lovers, Finsbury Park presides in North London and warrants everyone – member and non-member inclusive – to join in on the fun. Finsbury Park holds 8 tennis courts in total with 2 of such courts being catered towards smaller children. Please note that Finsbury Park Tennis Courts provide refunds 6 hours or more in advance of the booking time, with the exception of reason for cancellation being poor weather.
#4. Aske Gardens
Address: 40 Pitfield St, London N1 6EU
Price per hour: £4.20 (standard)
Opening times: Every day 7:30am-9pm
Booking link: https://www.hackneytennis.co.uk/booking/aske-gardens/
Aske Gardens gives players a quiet area to enjoy a game with friends whilst being surrounded by lush greenery. With 1 porous macadam court, Aske Gardens is a quaint but beautiful area located between Angel and Shadwell.
#5. Britannia Leisure Centre
Address: Pitfield St, London N1 5FT
Price per hour: Free if you have a Better membership
Opening times: Mon-Fri 6:30am-10pm, weekends 8am-8pm
Booking link: https://bookings.better.org.uk/location/britannia-leisure-centre
Britannia Leisure Centre boasts rooftop tennis courts alongside 5-aside pitches. A perfect area to bring your family for all your sporty needs, with a café and activities for toddlers. Britannia Leisure Centre is located in East London hosting some of the best facilities in this area.
#6. Rosemary Gardens
Address: 14-18 Southgate Rd, London N1 3DU
Price per hour: £11.20
Opening times: Weekdays 9am-10pm and weekends 9am-8pm
Booking link: https://bookings.better.org.uk/location/islington-tennis-centre/rosemary-gardens-activities
Rosemary Gardens provides a beautiful scenic view of nature whilst enjoying a tennis match in East Islington. The 2 tarmac tennis courts are open in all-weather conditions with floodlights and changing rooms.
#7. Highbury Fields Tennis Courts & Pitches
Address: Highbury Grove, London N5 1QP
Price per hour: £11.20
Opening times: Every day 8am-9pm
Booking link: https://bookings.better.org.uk/location/islington-tennis-centre/highbury-fields-activities
Highbury Fields supplies 11 floodlit tennis courts for players, 3 of which were completely refurbished in July 2019. Located in Islington’s largest park, there are a plethora of ways to reward yourself after a gruelling tennis session including a café building, barbecue area and a wildlife garden.
#8. Islington Tennis Centre and Gym
Address: Market Rd, London N7 9PL
Price per hour: Prices ranging from £4.00 to £30.00 depending on age and membership
Opening times: Weekdays 7am-11pm and weekends 8am-10pm
Booking link: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/islington/islingtontc
One of the busiest tennis centres in London, Islington Tennis Centre and Gym is a great place to learn how to play, improve your technique and even simply to just have a casual game with friends. The courts are based to the North West of the London Borough of Islington and contain 6 indoor and 2 outdoor courts.
#9. Barbican Tennis Courts
Address: Barbican, London EC1A 4LA
Price per hour: Only open for Barbican estate residents
Opening times: From 6pm on weekdays and 8am at weekends and school holidays
Booking link: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BarbicanLTC
Description: The Barbican Lawn Tennis courts are an exclusive tennis court, situated in the middle of London’s most prominent art areas. The residential buildings and courts were originally built after being destroyed after World War 2, so the area is truly historical. The site can easily be accessed via Circle, Hammersmith and Metropolitan lines and is a fun way to immerse yourself in London culture and history while enjoying a friendly tennis match.
NB! If you would also like to contribute to the Islington Storyteller, get in touch at islington.london@outlook.com
