Tennis

Initially a great game of the 30s Edwardian country house, famed for the
world-renowned Wimbledon Championships, and now with tennis courts everywhere, a
game with a vast following of highly paid professionals, this is something for
ball games players who are reasonably fit. You need a racquet and balls, a
partner, a court, a bit of an eye for a ball; and you can be sure to get up a
thirst.

Most public courts have the names of several local coaches; as will clubs. In
many towns, there are covered courts where you can book a court (see local
Yellow Pages). There are also centres that specialise in coaching (Like Windmill
Hill Golf and Tennis Adcademy in Sussex (  www.windmillhill.co.uk; 
 info@windmillhill.co.uk, tel 08700 339997)). Contact the Lawn Tennis Association
(www.lta.org.uk , and see under eg county contacts). Or ask your chums; they say
you are never more that two calls away from thousands of contacts, and one of
those must surely be a tennis player!

David Baxter comments:

Another option would be the `Social Tennis` sessions organised at some public courts, where you can just turn up, pay a fee and play with whoever else is there. Usually a `coach` will organise everyone into doubles and switch you around periodically. The social element - a post-session visit to a pub or restaurant - is optional. Contact your local authority to find out what`s happening locally; for example there`s a regular Friday evening session at Battersea Park in London.