A cool breeze, a hard court, racket in hand, and boundless greenery unfurling around you and your game – you can treat yourself to this rejuvenating bliss with a tennis game at Regent’s Park. Regent's Park is one of London’s eight royal parks, perched between the boroughs of Camden and Westminster. Spanning 410 acres, the verdant landscape is dotted with beauteous terraces, majestic villas, a serene ornamental lake, and immodest flower beds. It is home to Primrose Hill, whose summit offers panoramic views of the city.
In the early 19th century, Prince Regent (soon to be King George IV) commissioned James and Decimus Burton, and John Nash to convert the lacklustre tenant farming land into a bountiful pleasure garden. Throughout the century, Regent's Park truly blossomed, with rose gardens, a zoo, a bird sanctuary, and sundry stucco residences hemming the green in all their Victorian glory. With 120 species of birds, over 5000 kinds of foliage, and London’s only breeding hedgehog population, Regent’s Park truly is an idyllic oasis of nature in the bustling city.
The handsome landscape encapsulates three playgrounds as well as several sporting arenas, including cycling, netball, cricket, softball, rounders, football, hockey, Australian football, rugby, ultimate frisbee, and running. However, tennis, in particular, has been thriving in this royal park.
History of Tennis at Regent's Park
Tennis has long been a favourite sport of London’s creme-de-la-creme. The first courts in England were built in the 16th century at Hampton Court Palace – Henry VIII used to play there until 1528. The game started flourishing among the elite in the 1600s when Charles II built more courts after the restoration of the monarchy. As a generational pastime, tennis courts were vital additions to royal parks and greens.
Regent’s Park’s first court opened in 1920 with the establishment of the Golf and Tennis School. The Duke of Windsor, the Duke of Kent, and Carol Thatcher are noteworthy alumni of this school. After flourishing for decades, the Golf and Tennis School was finally bulldozed in 2010 – this move was met with widespread criticism. The Royal Parks charity transformed the abandoned courts and buildings into a public meadow.
With a clean slate, Park Sports (formerly Will to Win), an organisation committed to “improving accessibility to quality, affordable sporting facilities in London’s parks,” established a vibrant tennis abode in Regent's Park.
Tennis Courts at Regent's Park Today
Park Sports has built 12 hard courts, eight of which are floodlit. Additionally, there are netball courts, two mini tennis courts, and two floodlit padel courts. A sports retail shop houses cutting-edge tennis and paddle equipment for players keen on upgrading their kit and excelling in the game.
Visitors can book a one-off session up to seven days in advance with the “pay and play” scheme, which costs £15 per hour. Park Sports also provides opportunities for refining tennis skills with various coaching classes and drills – elevating your game in a picturesque royal park is certainly an enviable luxury. Here is a rundown of the facilities offered by the Regent's Park tennis courts:
Adult Tennis Weekly Drills
Weekly drills are ideal for players who know the rudimentaries of the sport, but want to improve their game. From beginner to intermediate and advanced drills, these weekly sessions under the supervision of LTA-qualified coaches are guaranteed to perfect one’s game.
Adult Tennis Courses
These courses are a great starting point for those interested in foraying into the sport. This is an excellent opportunity for making new friends and progressing as a tennis player with like-minded peers. The classes are compartmentalised based on skill level, allowing one to closely track their progress.
Private Coaching
Park Sports also facilitates one-on-one tennis coaching classes. You will be closely working with national-level tennis professionals and steadily rise to becoming a tennis pro.
Junior Tennis Camps
A five-day camp for two different age categories (4–7 and 7–16) takes children through the basics of the game, equipping them with unparalleled technique, camaraderie, and a spirit of sportsmanship.
Park Sports Cafe
Tucked away in a charming old cottage, Park Sports Cafe offers respite and nourishment for weary sportsmen.
In association with Union Coffee, delectable brews made with ethically sourced beans are served at the Park Sports Cafe. From sumptuous meals such as pastas and gourmet pastries to snacks like sandwiches and paninis, the cafe never ceases to please. The sublime coffees and luscious cakes are all the more precious owing to stellar views of the park’s unreserved verdure.
Tennis is still a sought-after pastime among London’s elite, with the country’s tennis-playing population having increased by 10 percent between 2018 and 2022. Needless to say, significant swathes of London’s wealthy flock to Regent's Park’s tennis venue – there’s nothing like starting the day with a tennis game on a crisp court, nestled in one of London’s lushest meadows.
