Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-padel-vincenzo-morelli-Jw9PEcw8d9Y-unsplash_Fotor.jpg" alt="padel somerset dorset bristol" class="wp-image-98317" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-padel-vincenzo-morelli-Jw9PEcw8d9Y-unsplash_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-padel-vincenzo-morelli-Jw9PEcw8d9Y-unsplash_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-padel-vincenzo-morelli-Jw9PEcw8d9Y-unsplash_Fotor-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-padel-vincenzo-morelli-Jw9PEcw8d9Y-unsplash_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-padel-vincenzo-morelli-Jw9PEcw8d9Y-unsplash_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vincenzo Morelli, Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



If Wimbledon&#8217;s given you the urge to pick up a racket but you don&#8217;t feel you’ve got the power or skills to hit aces down the centre line, why not try your hand at padel tennis?



Originating in Mexico in 1969, padel spread like wildfire in Argentina and Spain, (where there are 4 million players) and it&#8217;s now one of the fastest growing racquet sports in the UK. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/togo-paddle-1042864_1920-andre-mcenroe-pixabay_Fotor.jpg" alt="padel somerset dorset bristol" class="wp-image-98319" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/togo-paddle-1042864_1920-andre-mcenroe-pixabay_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/togo-paddle-1042864_1920-andre-mcenroe-pixabay_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/togo-paddle-1042864_1920-andre-mcenroe-pixabay_Fotor-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/togo-paddle-1042864_1920-andre-mcenroe-pixabay_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/togo-paddle-1042864_1920-andre-mcenroe-pixabay_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Andre McEnroe, Pixabay</figcaption></figure>



A cross between tennis and squash, padel (pronounced &#8216;paddle&#8217;), it’s easy for all ages and abilities to pick up and play together – you don&#8217;t need to be good at tennis or squash – it&#8217;s usually played as doubles, so it&#8217;s pretty sociable. It&#8217;s a great low-impact cardio workout, too. Isn&#8217;t it time you got into the game?



You play on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, using a chunky bat with holes in the head rather than string and balls similar to – but less bouncy than – those used in tennis. Serving underarm, you hit the ball over the net but you play off the walls too (like in squash), which makes for some thrilling rallies. The rules and the scoring are much the same as tennis.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-rocket-padel-bristol-438082296_860899052720410_475247981031702990_n_Fotor.jpg" alt="andre mcenroe pixabay" class="wp-image-98318" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-rocket-padel-bristol-438082296_860899052720410_475247981031702990_n_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-rocket-padel-bristol-438082296_860899052720410_475247981031702990_n_Fotor-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-rocket-padel-bristol-438082296_860899052720410_475247981031702990_n_Fotor-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-rocket-padel-bristol-438082296_860899052720410_475247981031702990_n_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-rocket-padel-bristol-438082296_860899052720410_475247981031702990_n_Fotor-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rocket Padel, Bristol</figcaption></figure>



Pickleball, padel – what’s the difference? It’s predominantly down to the walls: a padel court is surrounded by glass walls and a metal cage and you play off those walls.



There are around 450 courts in the UK but you&#8217;ll want to know where to play padel in Dorset and Somerset, so here goes:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dorset">Dorset</h2>



<a href="https://www.westhants.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The West Hants Club</a> in the heart of Talbot Woods, not far from the centre of Bournemouth, though you do have to be a member.



<a href="https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/EastDorsetLTCC/Padel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">East Dorset Lawn Tennis &amp; Croquet Club</a> in Ashley Cross, Poole has three outdoor courts open to all – members and non-members alike – on a pay and play basis.



<a href="https://www.davidlloyd.co.uk/clubs/poole/padel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Lloyd Club Poole</a>, has two outdoor padel courts; membership required.



Coming soon: <a href="https://www.crosscourtpadel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cross Court Padel</a> in Poole, a dedicated indoor padel centre which will have seven courts, a bar/café, changing rooms and a pro shop.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-somerset">Somerset</h2>



<a href="https://www.sohohouse.com/en-us/houses/babington-house/things-to-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Babington House</a> near Frome has two outdoor courts but you have to be a member (or know someone who is and go as a guest).



Rent the super-super luxury <a href="https://bittescombe.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bittescombe Lodge &amp; Deer Park</a> near Wiveliscombe and play on your own private padel court.



Lansdown Tennis Club in Bath has put in an application to build padel courts (watch this space) but for now you can play <a href="https://www.lansdownclub.co.uk/club/pickleball/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pickleball.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bristol">Bristol</h2>



<a href="https://www.rocketpadel.com/club/bristol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rocket Padel </a>has 14 court start-of-the-art courts.



<a href="https://redlandgreen.co.uk/padel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Redland Green Club</a>, outdoor courts, coaching, pay and play for non-members.



<a href="https://padel4all.com/lockleaze/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Padel4all Bristol</a> has four covered courts, racket hire, shop, courses, social sessions and leagues. 



<a href="https://wearepadel.com/uk/bristol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">We Are Padel</a> has seven covered courts, racket hire. 



<a href="https://www.surgepadel.co.uk/bristol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surge Padel</a> has eight courts, coaching, pro shop, bar; membership required.



<a href="https://www.davidlloyd.co.uk/clubs/bristol-westbury/club-facilities/tennis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Lloyd Club Bristol Westbury</a>, two outdoor courts; membership required.

What’s all the racquet about padel? And where to play near you

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