With Wimbledon in full swing, London’s tennis fever is peaking — but there’s another racket sport making waves across the city: padel.
Faster-paced, easier to pick up and seriously addictive, padel is quickly becoming one of London’s hottest fitness trends.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a competitive player, we’ve found the top spots to play across the capital — including a must-visit pop-up court.
Here’s where to book your next game, and why padel might just be your new summer obsession.
What is padel?
The racket sport, which is something of a cousin to tennis and a sister to squash, is typically played in pairs on an enclosed court and is seemingly easier to master than its counterparts.
The rules are simple: the ball can bounce off any wall (as in squash) but can only hit the ground once before being returned.
The scoring system is akin to tennis, but the difference is that strategy overrules strength and power in padel.
It’s this — apparently — that makes it so much more fun, and a lot easier to play in doubles.
Read more: How to play padel – sport rules, tactics and shoes explained
Where to play in London
Rocket Padel, Battersea Power Station
Located by the iconic Battersea Power Station, Rocket Padel club features a state-of-the-art, four-court facility housed in an 11-meter-high bespoke glass building with stunning views of the River Thames.
It also includes an equipment shop, comfortable lounge, a bar, and a bistro for après-padel hangout sessions. batterseapowerstation.co.uk
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Regent’s Park courts
Niftily located in the heart of London, Regent’s Park’s padel courts are a great choice for a pre- or post-picnic competition.
Bookings can be made online up to seven days in advance, and there’s even a regular timetable of weekly tournaments if you’re feeling up to the challenge. The outdoor courts are also floodlit, so you can keep racketing away long after sunset. parksports.co.uk
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Stratford Padel Club
Boasting a calendar of social events, a restaurant bar and a beer garden, the Stratford Padel Club is ideal for those who like their sport with a side of socialising.
Whether playing with friends, family or coming on your own to meet like-minded padel players, you’ll find this club makes for a great community space. Regular lessons are available for adults and juniors across its five indoor courts. stratfordpadelclub.org
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Hyde Park Padel
If you’re heading to Hyde Park while the weather remains warm this summer, take a detour to its fantastic padel court.
In the southwest corner of the park, you’ll find a great court to practise your skills — and it even has a cafe next door, so you can pair your play with a post-match snack. parksports.co.uk
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Hazelwood Sports Club, Winchmore Hill
If you’re looking for a spot in the north of the city for a game or two, we’d recommend checking out Hazelwood Sports Club.
Originally a traditional tennis club, the venue has branched out to include both squash and padel courts in keeping with changing tastes.
Those dedicated enough can purchase an annual membership, while non-members can book courts at slightly higher prices. There are weekly club nights and tournaments where padel players can meet, compete and socialise. hazelwoodsportsclub.co.uk
Feature image credit: Freepik
