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5 Best Places to Play Tennis in Manchester
Manchester has a growing number of tennis courts, but the sport is still not as popular as football. So, finding a quality court may not be as easy as finding a football field—which sucks for tennis lovers like you and I.
And when we do find one, it’s either fully booked or poorly maintained. So, if you’re a tennis enthusiast or someone who’s trying to get into the sport, it’s important to know about the best places to play.
Luckily, Master Manchester has got a couple of seasoned tennis lovers (myself included!). From the city’s open courts in parks to private, indoor courts, we’ve been around the best tennis courts that Manchester has to offer, and we want to share them with you.
Here are the best places to play tennis in Manchester for different kinds of tennis players of all levels, so read on for your next stop!
Public Parks in Manchester with Tennis Courts
Cheetham Park
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Address: Elizabeth St, Cheetham Hill
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 Hours
Pricing:
- Free
A sight of beautiful woodlands, Cheetham Park isn’t just a great place for picnics and sightseeing. It’s also a scenic setting for a casual game of tennis as it’s home to well-maintained, full-sized courts.
You’ll likely only be playing under the sun as the courts only have natural lighting. At least you’ll be breathing in fresh air, too! You’ll also be fully locked in on your game as the park has no distractions and was super quiet (based on our experience).
The best thing? The courts are free to use from dawn to dusk! You’ll just have to book them in advance. This is especially great if you’re a beginner who’s still just learning and doesn’t want to spend a fortune doing so.
| Pro Tip: Cheetham Park’s courts rely mainly on natural lighting. If you’re planning to play for a long time, you might want to bring your own source of light like a portable LED light. |
Wythenshawe Park
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Address: Wythenshawe
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Pricing:
- Off-peak – £3
- Peak – £4
- 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Monday to Friday – Free
Wythenshawe Park gives you quality courts in a scenic setting. Woodlands and grasslands surround the area, so you’ll be breathing clean fresh air throughout your game, ensuring you’re never out of breath during sweaty matches.
And if you’re crazy about tennis, you can enjoy playing on their courts from the crack of dawn til dusk. You can drop off your kids at the nearby children’s play area while you master your backhand, so you can both have the time of your lives.
You’ll also find clean toilets for quick potty breaks. You can then head to their Courtyard Cafe if you want to relax and enjoy a slice of homemade cake before your next game.
The courts are free to use from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Outside these times, regular rates apply.
| Pro Tip: Try Walking Tennis at Wythenshawe Park if you want to play at your own pace. You won’t have to run or jump, and you can even let the ball bounce twice. |
Fletcher Moss
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Address: Didsbury
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Pricing:
- Off-peak – £3
- Peak – £5
Located in the picturesque suburb of Didsbury, Fletcher Moss isn’t just known for its beautiful gardens. Athletes also flock to the park for their four beautiful floodlit clay tennis courts.
If you’re a tennis novice looking to learn more about the game, you’ll be happy to know that they offer courses for beginners. And if you’re an experienced player, they also offer intermediate courses that’ll allow you to master some of your moves. You can also bring your kids as they also offer courses for young ones.
They’re open from 7:00 AM till dusk. Just make sure you get there early, as parking is limited and can easily fill up during busy days.
| Pro Tip: You can join their drop-in tennis sessions for a more relaxed, social experience. Just remember to smile and be yourself! |
Private Tennis Clubs in Manchester
The Northern Lawn Tennis Club
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Address: Palatine Rd
Contact Details: +441614453093
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Pricing:
- Membership – Starts at £31
- Off-peak – £5
- Peak – £9
If you’re looking for a more upscale tennis experience, The Northern Lawn Tennis Club, with a rich history beginning in 1881, just might be what you’re looking for.
Throughout the years, their courts have been the spot for many significant tournaments. Legendary tennis players like Ken Rosewall, Maureen Connolly, and Pete Sampras have played here!
As for the courts here, there are six beautiful grass courts, nine synthetic clay courts, and three indoor courts—impressive!
Plus, scheduling a game at The Northern Lawn is also super easy. You can book through their website or call their reception. You can even book a court through their app, which is available for iOS and Android devices.
However, this premium tennis club also come with premium prices. Club membership starts at £31, but there are still booking fees that you need to pay if you want to schedule a court early.
| Pro Tip: If their rates are too pricey for you (as it was for us), we suggest that you only get a membership if you’re truly serious about the game. |
Manchester Tennis and Racquet Club
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Address: 33 Blackfriars Rd, Salford
Contact Details: +441618340616
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pricing: Please ask upon booking
The Manchester Tennis and Racquet Club (MTRC) provides an experience that transcends the tennis we know today.
Here, you can play a game of real tennis, the precursor to modern tennis, which can take you back in time to the Victorian Era. In fact, the MTRC houses one of only 46 real tennis courts in the world!
Though the club has been around since 1880, it’s been well-maintained. Its facilities still maintain their Victorian era architecture and interior design (albeit modernised a little bit), which adds to the experience if you consider yourself a history buff.
Other benefits include a cosy lounge, a classy dining room, and special set rates with CitySuites aparthotel. For bookings, you can fill out the contact form on their website or give them a quick call.
| Pro Tip: Play a game of Rackets at The Manchester Tennis and Racquet Club (MTRC). It uses a smaller, faster ball, allowing you to improve your agility and reaction time. These skills translate well to modern tennis and real tennis, making you better in those games, too. |
Indoor Tennis Centres in Manchester
Manchester Tennis and Football Centre
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Address: Etihad Campus, 9 Sportcity Way
Contact Details: +441612203840
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pricing:
- Indoor courts – £8 to £19.50
- Outdoor courts – £8
Built as one of the host venues for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, The Manchester Tennis and Football Centre is a spacious facility that houses six indoor tennis courts and four outdoor ones.
These courts have recently been updated in 2023, so you’ll surely have a clean, modern experience. The best thing is you don’t even need a membership to access these courts, as they don’t have memberships at all!
The facilities are open to everyone and I mean EVERYONE, as they also host tennis sessions for kids and people with disabilities. It’s also easy to book a court through the Better UK app (available for both Android and iOS devices) or via a call.
| Pro Tip: Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled session so you’ll have enough time to find parking, check in, and warm up. |
