There are many places to play tennis in Portsmouth, including courts near Southsea seafront and a new tennis centre in Stamshaw.
A new online booking system for the council's free outdoor tennis courts at Milton, Drayton and Cosham means that you must register and book instead of turning up to play.
But this does mean no queuing for a game, just book online and turn up at the right time for your session.
The new system means you'll have a guaranteed slot and can book in up to a week in advance.
You can create a free account online, and enjoy the benefits of booking your court.
Free tennis courts
Milton Park Priory Crescent
- Milton, Portsmouth, PO4 8PR
- Five outdoor tennis courts, newly refurbished, no floodlights, free courts open all year round
- You can book a game at Milton Park
Cosham Park
- Portsmouth Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 2SH
- Two tennis courts, free courts open all year round, no floodlights
- You can book a game at Cosham Park
Drayton Park
- Lower Drayton Lane, PO6 2HE
- Two tennis courts, free courts open all year round, no floodlights
- You can book a game at Drayton Park
Portsmouth Tennis Centre
Portsmouth Tennis Centre, Alex Way, Portsmouth, PO2 9AD
Located next to the Mountbatten Centre, the £1.33m centre was officially opened by former Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Lynne Stagg, and former British number one, Greg Rusedski.
The centre provides brand-new facilities for anyone interested in playing tennis for the first time, those wanting to improve their game or simply playing for fun and fitness.
Facilities include:
- four indoor courts, six outdoor courts, and eight indoor mini tennis courts
- free car parking
- use of changing facilities at the adjacent gymnastics centre
The centre is operated by BH Live in partnership with Portsmouth City Council. BH Live offers a comprehensive programme of activities for all ages and abilities.
Junior sessions include racquet and ball skills which help develop children’s enjoyment of tennis through fun activities based on balance, co-ordination, agility, movement. Teen tennis focuses on developing skills amongst young people aged between 11 and 16 years.
Adult sessions include fun cardio sessions set to music, Tennis Xpress coaching sessions for beginners and intermediates covering key techniques and tactics, or you can simply pay and play.
For more information on courses and pay and play sessions, or to sign up:
- visit the Portsmouth Tennis Centre website
- call 023 9320 0402
- email ptc@bhlive.org.uk
Southsea Tennis Club
- Southsea Tennis Pavilion, Clarence Esplanade, PO5 3PB
- Next to the seafront, near the D-Day Museum on Clarence Esplanade
Facilities and activities
Facilities include six hard courts – three of the hard courts have floodlights and are open for pay and play tennis all year round. Members have access to four astroturf courts, two of which are floodlit.
The club has a strong membership of regular players. There are a number of opportunities for social play and the coaching programme caters for players of different ages and abilities. There is a dynamic programme of social events.
For more information, contact details and prices, visit the Southsea Tennis Club website.
CourtX
The Pavilion, Eastern Parade, Southsea, PO4 9RF Facilities:
- 8 natural grass courts
- 6 artificial grass courts (floodlight)
- 2 hard courts
Opening times:
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm
- Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 7pm
Fees: £8 per hour bookable via CourtX website (memberships also available).