Where to Play Tennis in Surrey with Kids (Courts, Clubs & Local Options)
Tennis has been one of those sports that seems to grow with our kids. When they’re little, it’s just whacking balls around in the park; by the time they’re in secondary school, it can turn into proper matches, teams and even a part‑time weekend hobby. It’s also one of the easier things to fit around school and GCSEs because you can book the odd court after school or at the weekend, rather than committing to endless matches and training sessions.
In our house, tennis has been handy for burning off that after‑school energy without needing a huge amount of kit or planning. You don’t need much more than a couple of rackets, some balls and somewhere local to play, and if they enjoy it, you can add coaching later. You might find that one child is happy just having a casual hit in the park, while another enjoys the structure of proper lessons or even a club team.
If you’re anywhere in Surrey or on the Kingston / South West London side, there are plenty of options – from local authority park courts and free or low‑cost public courts to friendly village clubs, coaching programmes and full on leisure clubs like David Lloyd. Below is a simple breakdown of places where kids and teens can actually get on court, and how to find more options close to you. If you’re looking for more ideas beyond tennis, I’ve pulled together a full guide to things to do in Surrey with kids which is a good place to start.
Why tennis works so well for kids and teens
Tennis is one of those sports that can grow with your child. They can start with soft balls and mini courts in primary school and still enjoy proper matches as teenagers, without needing to switch activities every few years. It’s also easy to dip in and out of school and GCSEs, because you can book a court for an hour rather than giving up whole weekends.
For physical stuff, tennis quietly does a lot without feeling too “serious” – coordination, balance, stamina and quick reactions, all while they’re just trying to hit the ball back. It’s a good option if you have children with different energy levels too; one can go full‑on competitive while another is happy just rallying with you on a Sunday afternoon.
Emotionally, it can be a nice outlet when they’re stressed or snappy (hello, exam season and teenage moods). Hitting balls for an hour is a simple way to burn off frustration, and because it’s one‑to‑one or small groups, it often feels less intense than team sports where everyone’s watching. Many parents find it helps shy kids build confidence because they get little wins – just getting a rally going feels like progress.
There’s also the social side. At park courts, they can just play with siblings or a friend; in clubs, they meet other children through coaching groups and team matches. If you have more than one child, it’s an easy activity to share because older siblings can help younger ones, and you can all get on court together without needing a coach every time.
Finally, from a practical point of view, tennis is relatively low‑maintenance. Once you’ve got basic rackets and some balls, the main decision is whether you stick to free/local courts or add in coaching. There’s no pressure to jump straight into club membership – you can start with casual hits, see if they enjoy it, and then look at the options below if they want to take it a bit further.
Local Authority Tennis Courts in Surrey
Across Surrey there are dozens of park courts run as “parks tennis” schemes by local councils, often in partnership with the national tennis body. Many of these sit inside bigger “venues” numbers you sometimes see quoted for the county, which can be close to two hundred when you add clubs, schools and parks together.
Epsom & Ewell Parks Tennis (5 venues)
Alexandra Recreation Ground, Auriol Park, Court Recreation Ground, Gibraltar Recreation Ground, Poole Road Recreation Ground – Epsom & Ewell
- Ages: suitable for family play with children and teens; some courts are also used for junior coaching groups.
- Prices: a mix of annual “play tennis” passes and pay‑and‑play; prices are listed clearly on the booking pages.
- Booking: all courts are booked online via the Epsom & Ewell Parks Tennis system, with gate access codes sent after booking.
- Good to know: if your kids play regularly, the annual pass can work out cheaper than paying each time.
Surrey Heath Parks Tennis (4 venues)
Frimley Green Recreation Ground, London Road Recreation Ground, Mytchett Recreation Ground, Watchetts Recreation Ground – Surrey Heath
- Ages: good for families with primary and secondary age children who want local park courts.
- Prices: low‑cost pay‑and‑play and passes; details are listed on the borough’s parks tennis pages.
- Booking: book online before you play; you’ll get a confirmation and, where needed, a gate code.
- Good to know: some sites also run free or low‑cost community sessions at certain times of year.
Elmbridge Parks Tennis (multiple locations)
Various parks across Elmbridge (including Walton, Weybridge, Molesey, Esher and more)
- Ages: suitable for family play and junior practice; some locations link into local coaching programmes.
- Prices: combination of passes and pay‑and‑play; the latest prices are set out in Elmbridge’s parks tennis information.
- Booking: courts are booked online through the council’s tennis booking system.
- Good to know: with multiple parks in one scheme, it’s handy if you move around the borough for school or work.
Runnymede Parks Tennis (multiple locations)
Includes Chertsey Recreation Ground and other refurbished park courts across Runnymede
- Ages: suits families wanting casual park tennis with school‑age children and teens.
- Prices: low‑cost hourly rates and, in some cases, passes; all shown when you pick a venue.
- Booking: quick online booking via each park’s page; no need to pay on site.
- Good to know: some courts have been upgraded recently, so surfaces and nets are usually in good condition.
There are other local authority park schemes in different parts of Surrey that follow a similar pattern – online booking, low‑cost play and simple access codes. If you’re not sure what’s available where you live, it’s worth checking your own borough or district council website and searching for “parks tennis” or “tennis courts”; most now have a dedicated page listing all their park courts, prices and how to book.
Free & Low Cost Public Tennis Courts in Surrey
Alongside the bigger council schemes, there are plenty of individual public courts you can book without joining a club – often in recreation grounds or larger parks.
LTA‑registered park courts (county‑wide)
Various parks and recreation grounds across Surrey
- Ages: suitable for family play with children and teens; some courts are used by coaching providers outside peak family times.
- Prices: usually free or low‑cost hourly charges; the exact price appears when you choose a court and time.
- Booking: you can use the national “find and book a court” tool to search by your postcode and pick a local park.
- Good to know: this is often the quickest way to discover small local courts you might not have noticed before.
Sutherland Memorial Park, Burpham (Guildford area)
Clay Lane, Burpham, Guildford GU4 7NB
- Ages: good for families with primary and secondary age children who want a casual hit.
- Prices: community park courts; any charges and passes are shown on the online booking page.
- Booking: reserve a court online in advance; you’ll usually get a confirmation and access instructions.
- Parking: on‑site parking next to the park, plus nearby residential streets.
Chobham Recreation Ground, Chobham / Woking area
Station Road, Chobham, Woking GU24 8AZ
- Ages: suits kids and teens who just want to practise rallies or have a low‑key game.
- Prices: public park courts; any hourly fee appears on the booking system.
- Booking: book a time slot online before you play; this avoids turning up to find the courts already in use.
- Parking: small car park by the recreation ground and nearby on‑street parking.
Send Recreation Ground / Waterer’s Park, Send / Woking
Send Road, Send, Woking GU23 7EN (Waterer’s Park area)
- Ages: handy for local families with children of all ages who want simple local courts without travelling far.
- Prices: low‑cost community courts; check the online booking page for the current hourly rate.
- Booking: reserve online via the booking portal rather than paying on site.
- Parking: local street parking around the park.
Ottershaw Memorial Fields, Ottershaw / Addlestone area
Foxhills Road, Ottershaw, Chertsey KT16 0NQ
- Ages: good for mixed‑age siblings wanting a casual game together.
- Prices: public courts with any fees shown on the online booking page.
- Booking: book a slot online; you’ll usually get an email confirmation with your booking details.
- Parking: on‑site or nearby parking by the recreation ground.
There are many more free and low‑cost public courts tucked around Surrey beyond these examples. If you’re not sure what’s near you, using a postcode‑based “find a court” tool or your local council’s “parks tennis” page is usually the easiest way to see every public court and booking option in your area.
Family‑friendly tennis clubs with junior coaching
If your child wants more than a casual hit in the park, these clubs offer junior coaching and, in many cases, team tennis.
Banstead Downs Lawn Tennis Club, Banstead
56 Higher Drive, Banstead SM7 1PQ
- Ages: junior coaching from mini players up to older teens, with separate groups by age and level.
- Prices: junior coaching is paid per course block; junior membership is separate if your child wants extra court time or teams.
- Booking: sign up for courses directly through the club or coaching team, and apply for membership via the club.
- Good to know: has a traditional club feel with opportunities for match play and junior teams once they’re ready.
Woking Tennis & Croquet Club, Woking
Pond Road, Woking GU22 0JZ
- Ages: junior programme from early years up to 18, including performance groups.
- Prices: junior membership is charged annually; coaching is an extra cost paid by course or term.
- Booking: membership applications go through the club; coaching places are booked via the coaching team.
- Good to know: busy junior section with squads, match practice and teams.
Oxshott Village Sports Club, Oxshott
Steels Lane, Oxshott, Leatherhead KT22 0RF
- Ages: junior tennis for primary and secondary ages, with group coaching and team tennis.
- Prices: junior coaching and holiday camps are priced per course; membership options for regular play.
- Booking: junior sessions are booked online or through the coaching team.
- Good to know: multi‑sport club, so siblings can get involved in other activities too.
Horsley Sports Club, Horsley
Long Reach, West Horsley, Leatherhead KT24 6NE
- Ages: junior groups and coaching for children and teens, grouped by ability.
- Prices: junior coaching sessions are paid per block; membership is available if they want extra practice time.
- Booking: contact the club or coaching team directly to join a group.
- Good to know: village‑club feel, handy if you’re in East/West Horsley or nearby villages.
Elstead Village Tennis Club, Elstead
Elstead Recreation Ground, Thursley Road, Elstead GU8 6DU
- Ages: junior coaching for school‑age children and teenagers, with age‑grouped sessions.
- Prices: sessions are priced per course; membership gives extra access to courts outside coaching times.
- Booking: sign up through the club’s junior coaching contact.
- Good to know: small village club, useful if you’re towards the Godalming / Farnham side of Surrey.
Merrow Lawn Tennis Club, Guildford (Merrow)
67 Epsom Road, Guildford GU1 2LF
- Ages: junior programme covering primary and secondary school ages.
- Prices: junior coaching is paid per block; junior membership is separate.
- Booking: coaching and membership details are on the club’s junior tennis pages.
- Good to know: convenient for families in Merrow and the eastern side of Guildford.
Coaching programmes and kids’ tennis brands in Surrey
If you’re not quite ready for full club membership, these coaching providers and centres can be a good way to get started.
Surrey Sports Park, Guildford
Surrey Sports Park, Richard Meyjes Road, Guildford GU2 7AD
- Ages: junior tennis courses for children and teens, split into mini and older junior groups.
- Prices: paid per course block; costs vary by course length and level, so it’s worth checking current prices online.
- Booking: book in advance via the Surrey Sports Park website under junior tennis.
- Parking: on‑site parking at the sports park, just off the A3.
Surrey County Indoor Tennis Centre, Addlestone
Based at the St George’s College site, Addlestone KT15 (check their site for exact access details)
- Ages: junior coaching for children and teenagers, indoors all year round.
- Prices: indoor court rates and coaching prices are listed on their website and are usually higher than outdoor park courts.
- Booking: courts and coaching are booked online through their booking system.
- Good to know: being fully indoors makes it a reliable option in winter and on rainy weekends.
Surrey Tennis Coaching (multiple locations)
- Ages: junior coaching from around age 4 up to older teens, depending on venue.
- Prices: term‑time courses and holiday camps are priced per block; amounts vary between locations.
- Booking: you choose a venue and group online and book directly with the coaching provider.
- Good to know: useful if you want lessons at a local park or club without committing to full membership straight away.
Topspin Monkeys (younger kids, multiple venues)
- Ages: mainly for younger children (roughly 2–8/9), split into small, age‑specific groups.
- Prices: classes are priced per course block; current prices are listed for each venue and term.
- Booking: book directly via their website, choosing the nearest venue and day that works for you.
- Good to know: very play‑based and fun, so it’s a gentle way to see if they like tennis at all.
K5 Tennis Coaching (various courts)
- Ages: junior coaching from pre‑schoolers up to teenagers, depending on the group.
- Prices: term‑time groups and camps are priced per course; costs depend on venue and group type.
- Booking: all bookings are handled online through their coaching pages.
- Good to know: worth a look if you’ve got local courts but no resident club.
Go Tennis (multiple Surrey venues)
- Ages: junior programme “for all ages and levels”, from complete beginners to more experienced juniors.
- Prices: charges per course or camp; each venue has its own pricing.
- Booking: you pick your nearest venue and time on their website and book a block of sessions.
- Good to know: can be a flexible option if you’re happy to travel a little for a time slot that fits your week.
Ace Coaching (Cheam / nearby)
- Ages: junior tennis from around 3–18, using the red, orange, green and yellow ball stages.
- Prices: term‑time sessions are priced per block; holiday camps are separate.
- Booking: everything is booked online through their junior coaching pages.
- Good to know: handy if you’re on the North Surrey / Sutton / Cheam side and want structured coaching.
Private gyms and racquets clubs with junior tennis
If you’re already thinking about a family gym membership, these clubs add tennis into the mix.
David Lloyd Cheam
David Lloyd Cheam, 28 Malden Road, Cheam, Sutton SM3 8EP
- Ages: junior tennis for children and teens, with age‑grouped coaching and sessions.
- Prices: part of a David Lloyd family or junior membership; some coaching may be an extra charge.
- Booking: membership is required; courts and lessons are booked via the club or app.
- Good to know: indoor and outdoor courts plus pool and gym, so different children can do different activities at the same time.
David Lloyd Epsom
David Lloyd Epsom, Horton Lane, Epsom KT19 8PL
- Ages: coaching and tennis sessions for children from early years up to teenagers.
- Prices: included within or added to family/junior membership; exact costs depend on the package.
- Booking: members book courts and sessions in advance through the club’s booking system.
- Good to know: a good fit if you want tennis alongside a general family health‑club membership.
David Lloyd Kingston
David Lloyd Kingston, Fairways, Hampton Wick KT1 4AD
- Ages: junior tennis and coaching for children and teens as part of the club’s junior programme.
- Prices: sits within the David Lloyd membership structure, with some coaching options charged separately.
- Booking: membership needed; courts and sessions are booked via the club or app.
- Good to know: useful for families on the Kingston / North Surrey border who want a full leisure club with tennis included.
If you’re reading this while half‑juggling homework and dinner, the main thing is that you don’t need to know every single court in Surrey to get started. Pick one option that’s easy to reach – a park court after school, a taster coaching session, or a club with a friendly junior group – and see how your child gets on. You can always move up to more structured coaching or club teams later if they’re bitten by the tennis bug.
More Surrey days out ideas to try
If you’re planning a few more local outings (or just trying to keep everyone busy over the holidays), these might be helpful too:
About The Author
