The Top 10 Venues In Essex For Winter Tennis
If you’re anything like me, you find it difficult to play regular tennis during the winter season, usually because of a lack of venues which provide adequate indoor tennis courts. See the below for our take on the best venues throughout Essex and East London for playing tennis during the winter months to make sure you haven’t lost your touch and competitive edge when the spring arrives. From public sports centres, to members only clubs our shortlist has something for everyone.
1.Redbridge Sports Centre
Featuring an impressive 8 indoor tennis courts, Redbridge Sports Centre provides the perfect venue for playing tennis in the warm and dry indoors. Members benefit from an affordable price, as little as £9.40 per hour. Non members are also welcome, being able to book a court for an hour from £11.40. Redbridge Sports Centre also offer a variety of programmes for both adults and children, ranging from social tennis to competetive match play. This fully accessible sports centre can also accommodate wheelchair tennis, inclusive of two excellent sports wheelchairs, as well as coaching available on request.
2.David Lloyd Chigwell
The first of three David Lloyd clubs to feature in this article. David Lloyd Chigwell offers an unrivalled level of indoor tennis facilities. Featuring an impressive 14 tennis courts which can be played on all year round. This consists of 9 official indoor courts, as well as a bubble which is inflated during the winter months, covering a further 5 courts. Other indoor racket opportunities include two badminton courts, three padel courts and three table tennis tables. Other benefits include a social atmosphere, allowing you to meet other players of a similar standard, as well as having access to 12 professional coaches.
3.Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre
Located at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this unique venue was built as part of the London 2012 Olympic games and therefore has been implemented to a very high standard. Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre features a total of four indoor tennis courts. During the winter indoor tennis courts can be booked between 09:00 – 22:00 (Monday – Friday) and 0800 – 20:00 (Saturday and Sunday). Courts can be booked from £21 per hour (off peak) or £26 per hour during peak times. The price also includes up to three hours of complimentary car parking, which comes in handy, particular during a closely fought three set match!
4.The Essex Golf and Country Club
An exclusive club, situated within the Colchester area of Essex, The Essex Golf and Country Club features a total of six indoor tennis courts, where members hold the rights to exclusive access of these pristine courts. Three of the indoor courts comprise of a Playrite Foundation surface, which presents a medium paced court which is also very soft on your joints. A further three courts can be found within the double skinned, heated dome, composed of a Playrite Claytex surface offering a slower paced, higher bouncing conditions. Members are invited to get involved in club nights, match play, social tennis and tournaments.
5.David Lloyd Gidea Park
Another masterclass from the David Lloyd brand, providing exceptional indoor facilities for the winter months. David Lloyd Gidea Park comprises of no fewer than seven indoor tennis courts of an exceptional standard. Further indoor racket sport facilities include three squash courts and two badminton courts. Children can also benefit from the hugely popular All Stars Tennis Programme, taught by David Lloyd’s Gidea Park expert coaches, allowing children to learn techniques early. For adults, opportunities include club championship tournaments, as well as a large emphasis on social tennis to help improve your game further.
6.Billericay Lawn Tennis Club
One of the few clubs in Essex which benefits from indoor facilities in the shape of a dome, available during the winter months. Other specialist facilities include artificial clay tennis courts, which can be played on all year round, as well as 10 floodlit tennis courts, ideal for those dryer and warmer winter days. Billericay Lawn Tennis Club is affiliated with the Lawn Tennis Association, as well as the Essex Lawn Tennis Association, making it a very popular tennis club in this area of Essex. Billericay Lawn Tennis Club is also situated within a desirable location, surrounded by trees and nature and totally unoverlooked.
7.Islington Tennis Centre and Gym
Situated to the North West of the London Borough of Islington and renowned for being one of the most popular and busiest tennis centres in the country. Islington Tennis Centre and Gym is part of the Better Gym brand, offering great flexibility in terms of membership packages as well as non-member pay and play opportunities. The centre boasts a total of six indoor tennis courts, as well as 2 outdoor courts. Other facilities available on site comprise of a 60-station gym, fitness class studio and a sauna and steam room suite. Islington Tennis Centre and Gym is definitely one of the more affordable options out there.
8.Harlow Lawn Tennis Club
Offering one of the most premium tennis facilities in Essex. Harlow Lawn Tennis Club features a total of four indoor tennis courts, as well as six outdoor floodlit tennis courts to benefit from. The club is well situated in landscape surroundings with a popular viewing area. Harlow Lawn Tennis Club offers a comprehensive coaching programme, ranging from mini tennis to adult coaching opportunities. Members can partake in weekly adult club sessions and match practice, available throughout the year. Alternatively, members can arrange organised doubled or singles matches at any time to get that all important practice during the winter.
9.New River Sport and Fitness
Another premium venue situated in North London. New River Sport and Fitness boasts exceptional facilities, allowing members to keep active all year round. For us the standout attraction are its indoor tennis courts, providing the perfect place to play tennis during the winter. Outside of tennis members can keep active by playing football on state of the art 3G pitches, in 5, 7 and 11 a side format. New River Sport and Fitness places a lot on emphasis on group exercise classes, making this a very social environment for all its members. The above is brought together by Fusion Lifestyle, a highly experienced sports and leisure organisation.
10.Southend David Lloyd
Perhaps we’ve saved the best until last. Southend David Lloyd Tennis Club features a total of five permanent indoor tennis courts, as well as a further two tennis courts which are covered over by a dome during the winter months. For racket sport fanatics the facilities don’t end here. Members can also take advantage of two table tennis tables and four badminton courts. David Lloyd Southend excels in offering its members an excellent level of coaching opportunities, for juniors and adults alike. Players are welcome to play in competitive club championships, social tennis opportunities and special tennis events.
