Padel has become one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the country. Within London, the plentiful mix of parks, regenerated industrial spaces, and strong community living approach has made it a natural setting for the sport’s rise. What distinguishes padel from more traditional forms of tennis is its relative accessibility for beginners. The enclosed walls keep the game flowing, less vicious than those of squash, with rallies lasting longer and players of mixed abilities more able to compete on a more even footing.
Playing padel is as much about socialising as it is about sport, with courts increasingly designed alongside cafés, lounges, and gyms to encourage people to linger long after a match has ended, or meet up in larger groups, furthering the community aspect of the game. Wandsworth is no exception to this surge in interest, and for such a well-established neighbourhood with a strong community drive, padel is a welcome addition to both private clubs and public spaces. Below are a few selections for where to find the best courts in the area.
All-Star Tennis
Tucked into the greenery of King George’s Park, the two glass-fronted courts are fully floodlit, meaning evening games can be enjoyed even throughout the darkest months of the year. The courts are well-maintained, with quality playing surfaces and nets tightly wound, offering assurance to players that, despite the very public setting, these courts are good enough to stand the test of experienced players.
What truly sets All Star Tennis apart is the inclusivity of its offer. Under-18s have their own complimentary window from 3 pm to 5 pm, ensuring the courts remain open and accessible to all. Bookings are well managed with members able to reserve court space 24 hours in advance, and “Member Plus” subscribers enjoying access to priority bookings and coaching sessions. It’s a facility that offers the best of both public and private access to budding padel players in the area.
The Padel Yard
Housed in a converted industrial space, Wandsworth’s most popular public padel courts sit beneath exposed steel beams and a high roof. A bar runs alongside the main playing area, accompanied by lounge chairs and café tables. With dogs welcome, music playing quietly between matches and players mingling easily afterwards, it's clear to see that the venue has successfully achieved community status, providing a friendly and welcoming environment for new players to step into and find no shortage of patrons to play against.
With six courts split between indoor and outdoor areas, all of which are bookable by the hour, the yard also offers visitors a golf simulator pod, a contrast-therapy spa with ice baths, to inject a sense of upmarket and modernity into the setting. Rackets can be hired on site, and its popularity with young professionals has made it a lively after-work destination, as well as for weekend mornings where groups book in for matches that seamlessly transition into brunch or drinks at the bar.
LTA National Tennis Centre
Just 15 minutes by car west of central Wandsworth, the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton offers padel facilities that reflect its reputation as the home of British tennis. The courts are sleek, with glass walls separating them from each other, and the semi-covered design means play continues in all but the most adverse weather, making it a reliable choice for year-round matches.
Its prominent location within the LTA seemingly defies padel’s status as a rising sport. Membership is not a necessity, with pay-and-play sessions available and equipment hire offered on site. In spite of its open-door policy, the atmosphere is more formal than many other padel courts and clubs, with players expected to treat the space with the same respect given to tennis. However, for those looking for a padel circuit where competition is taken seriously, and for players looking to seriously up their game, the LTA is an ideal venue.
G4P Vauxhall
With The Padel Yard in Wandsworth set to close at an – as of yet – undetermined point in the future due to local development, its sister site in Vauxhall shall become the go-to for those wanting to continue their racket rhythm in familiar surroundings. Located just 20 minutes down the river, there are three outdoor courts with artificial grass, with views of the city’s famous skyline. In keeping with the vibe at the Wandsworth branch, it feels energetic and approachable, with benches, café, and communal hangout spots for after matches.
Court bookings are reservable in hourly slots depending on the time of day – open from 7 am to 11 pm daily – and racket hire is provided on site. Lessons, socials and events are continuously running via MATCHi and Playskan platforms, allowing for an added element of connectivity and enrichment at a club chain that continues to grow from strength to strength across the country.
The Roehampton Club
Though a private establishment with a strict members-only policy, as well as quite a way out from Wandsworth’s centre, The Roehampton Club deserves a mention for its high-quality padel offering. The club has added two padel courts to its grounds, sitting alongside the extensive tennis facilities, immaculate croquet lawns, and a grand clubhouse filled with panelled interiors, leather chairs, and artworks that speak volumes to the club’s heritage over more than a century of operations.
Coaching programmes, social play events, and inter-club tournaments are all embedded within the padel calendar, ensuring the sport has integrated seamlessly into the club’s schedule and the lives of its members. With the enticing additional benefit of wider access to the club’s dining rooms, pool, and fitness suites, membership may be hard to acquire at this esteemed venue, but for those able to acquire it, it’s certainly worth the wait.
