This article is part of FT Globetrotter’s Guide to London
It is said that the easiest way to enter an All-England lawn tennis club is to win the Wimbledon Championship. The truth is, it’s not that easy to get into one of London’s private tennis clubs. There, a standard waiting list and eye-opening fees are available. But the people of London, and visitors to London, are lucky. According to the LTA, the capital has around 3,000 tennis courts, about 60 percent of which are located in famous parks, gardens, commons and green spaces, critically accessible to everyone. They are not all perfect – and far from it, but what is lacking in state-of-the-art facilities (such as Loos) is more than appealing. And you never know who might meet there. FT Globetrotter asked nine famous Londoners about their beloved local court.
Actor Jack Fox: Ruskin Park
Denmark Hill, London SE5 9AW
It was a popularization of Jack Fox, the son of actor James Fox, from a young age that tennis is a worthy skill to acquire. “My dad always said playing tennis was a good way to make contacts in LA, because everyone went to the Beverly Hills Club to play tennis.” Networking opportunities may not be elite in Ruskin Park, an Edwardian-era park in south London, but the well-maintained courthouse is perfect for local resident Fox. He can often “grab the court” to play with fellow actors and directors from outside of town. He has a lovely tradition of playing with his brother Robin (“great tennis player”) on Christmas Day and the warmer months of the year. “It has a great atmosphere, it’s a real sun trap and you can then reward yourself with ice cream at the cafe next to the court.” Resist the temptation to cool in the kids’ paddling pool on a hot day.
Model Laura Bailey: Holland Park
Stable Garden, Ilchester Place, Kensington, London W8 6lu
Laura Bailey plays tennis at some of the most beautiful courts in the world and co-authors books on the subject. But she still feels a wave of nostalgia every morning as she walks her dog past the city courthouse in West London’s Dutch Park. Because it was these modest courthouses that first ignited her passion for sports when her children were young, and she bumped into friends while the children kicked the ball around nearby. Lately, she has taken her game quite seriously and has trained and competed in the club, but as a local resident, she takes care of the park. Take a detour through the Kyoto Garden and look at the Peacock if possible. Opera and Peacock – Only in the Royal Boroughs!
Presenter and podcaster Miquita Oliver: Springfield Park
Clapton, London E5 9EF
Features: 5 hard coats, all free. Ride a bike by the Riverley River
Cost: Not available for reservation, it is free to use
Website; Directions
Mikita Oliver provides intergenerational energy at Springfield Park courthouse in East London. “A group of men in their 50s and 70s have been performing there for years,” she says. “There is this real bond between them, and they are all very suitable. They make you feel hopeful in getting older and playing sports with friends.” The fact that the courts are free to use – you just show up and play – sit with her: she was eager to play as a child, but couldn’t afford it. Oliver eventually studied at the age of 26 and takes weekly lessons with his coach at Springfield Park. She also “gathered a small crew” for the single game. “In London, I’m very fortunate about the number of courts we have. My main thing this year is to roam our city and see as much as possible. I’m going to do that using tennis courts.”
Entrepreneur and content creator Max Klemenko: King Edward Memorial Park
Glamour Road, London E1W 3td
“These courts represent urban London tennis to me,” says Max Klaimenko, who has learned to play for the clay courts of a Ukrainian club. “They are nowhere. There is no view. There is a structure around. There is a hole in the fence where dogs and foxes can pass through.” Another thing: “They are distorted. They are not super. I will use it for my benefit, especially if the other party doesn’t know.” Also, first-time visitors should note that there are two abandoned courts at the northern end of the park. Klemenko calls it “the Tennis Cemetery.” Head to the river with actual nets and the working courthouse. If you’re looking for a place to sink the cold after your efforts, the outlook for Whitby, a historic riverside pub, is a short walk away.
Ceramic artist Henry Holland: Victoria Park
Tower Hamlet, London E9 5dy
A fashion designer who played tennis as a child reclaimed his racket 10 years ago when he moved potter Henry Holland next to Victoria Park in East London. When he’s approaching it – throwing the pot wreaking havoc on his right shoulder – he is a regular at the park’s four courthouses and often crashes into the landlord of the local pub The Empress. “Mike is the ringmaster,” says Holland. “He brings together a group of locals who want to play. I text him when he booked some courts. If I’m in town, I’ll play.” On a hot summer day, when cricketers are also on the way, you can imagine yourself being transported to a quaint English village. “I grew up in northern England, a wasteland where rusty climbing slots and teenagers drink cider, so I think I’m very fortunate to have a beautiful open green space next to me.”
Creative Consultant and Ceramicist Kim Sion: Chiswick House and Garden
Park Sports Chiswick, Chiswick House Grounds, Great West Road, London W4 3ep
Features: 5 hard courts (1 flood light); 1 flood light carpet tennis court. 4 flood light pickleball courts. Andy Murray fan art. Kitchen Garden
Cost: £11-£14 per hour via Parksports.co.uk
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Kim Sion goes to the houses and gardens of the 18th century Neo-Paradian Chiswick every day. “It’s my medicine,” she says. The tennis court is located at the west entrance. “Tony, a long-haired Lilac Chihuahua, can walk to the park. Then we go to tennis and he looks at the bench.” Shion, who has been playing on and off since she was in school, takes lessons every week with coach Isaac. “I’ve never been to, so I always do lessons. Imagine that it’s an incredible inner fantasy in tennis, and every time I enter that fantasy again, I have a lot of people looking at me wearing little white skirts, little socks, an old school tennis kit.” There’s a Riva Award-winning cafe in the park, but Shion has a soft spot for a tennis club tea shop with Andy Murray’s fan art hanging. The best days to visit the park rather than tennis-related are Thursdays and Saturdays when homemade produce is available in the home garden.
Chef Neil Rankin: Chrysold Park
Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, London N16 0BF
Neil Rankin has a lovely little routine. Jolene Bakery’s coffee is on its way to the courthouse at Chrysoldo Park in Stoke Newington, then heads to Romeo and Julietta’s ice cream. After an evening match with a friend, he might also go for a meal and a few pints at Clarence Stavern. “The whole thing about playing tennis is to make sure you can eat more food,” says the chef, who now lives at a railway tavern in Dalston. “I’m eating a lot and still drinking a lot, so I need some really high-intensity exercises that aren’t boring.” With eight courts, it’s relatively easy to get the court, and six are suffering from flooding. This means you can hit it until 9pm a year. And they are protected from the roads by trees. Noise comes from nearby children’s playgrounds and skate parks. “There’s a toilet next to them too. I think this is really convenient for the tennis court!” Rankin says. Another reason why it was attached to Clickold Park? Deer and goats stored there. “I liked cooking goats. Now I like to see them.”
Restaurant Karam Seti: Regent Park
Park Sports, York Bridge, Inner Circle, London NW1 4NU
Features: 12 hard tennis courts (8 floodlights); 2 floodlights padel courts. Cafes; Tennis Shops; Racket Rental and Restraint Services
Cost: £16.40-19.55 pounds via parksports.co.uk
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For Karam Sethi, co-founder of JKS Restaurant, 12 well-maintained courthouses in Regent’s Park in central London are located 10 minutes from their home and 10 minutes from their Marylebone office. Midway through the week he ropes to his friend Sanji, who works in the area, for a lunch match. Over the weekend, he jumps out with his kids. He takes tennis lessons there. “I now start watching and playing at age 5, as well as my child’s age, and casually play at age 35. It’s good to keep hand and eye adjustments and timing down.” Regulars like Seti appreciate the club-like feeling around the clubhouse. The Clubhouse is a quaint mock Tudor Cottage that houses a small cafe and tennis shop along with resident racket stringers. Padel and Netball facilities are very sports hubs.
Actor Henry Lloyd Hughes: Hackney Downs
Downs Park Road, London E5 8NP
Features: 5 courts (2 floodlights). One of them is free and does not come with a non-book. Delicious coffee
Cost: Free to £8 via ClubSpark.lta.org.uk
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Henry Lloyd Hughes packs his suitcase with a racket while on the road. When he was filming the 2024 Holocaust drama, we were the lucky drama of the Romanian winter. He rides his bike and jumps into Hackney Downs when he’s at his London home. This can be completed in Court 5 as he likes because there is one court that cannot be booked, so if the match runs allotted time. “There’s a courtroom vibe for people,” he says. Lloyd-Hughes has a “partner roster” where he can play, finding opponents via local leagues and spin apps. “When I’m an actor, when I’m employed, I get really hooked, but when I’m not, it’s great to play tennis because I’m always free.” Play early and then drink some coffee from Karma Bang.
What is your favorite public tennis court in London? Share your tips in the comments below. Follow FT Globetrotter on Instagram to find out about your first latest story
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