With Wimbledon shining a light on the nation’s love of tennis, and interest in padel courts surging 120% in the last year according to Google Searches, a property expert has revealed how to find the perfect home for a racket-sport lifestyle.
Against this backdrop, Skipton Building Society partnered with Hamptons, part of the Skipton Group, to identify the areas outside of London that offer the best access to courts, strong activity levels and growing opportunities to stay active year-round. House price data is also included to offer additional context for affordability.
Bristol leads the ranking, underpinned by both its extensive access to tennis courts and highly active population. With 157 tennis courts nearby and over 71% of residents meeting weekly exercise targets, it offers no shortage of rivals for a match. Demand for homes is rising too, with Skipton seeing mortgage applications jump 25% from 2024 to 2025. Yet, due to the region’s popularity, it is the most expensive area to buy in the top ten, at an average of £387,830.
In second place, Manchester scored highly across all categories, with the highest number of vets per tennis courts (284) in the study, as well as a growing availability of padel courts in the area. This area offers one of the best value for court lovers, with average house prices at £282,050 being one of the lowest in the study. Manchester has grown in popularity over the last few years, with a 17% increase in mortgage applications from 2024 to 2025.
For those looking for the most affordable areas where there is a strong local playing culture, Sheffield and Birmingham rank the highest. Sheffield average house prices are the cheapest in top ten (£248,740) while offering an impressive 106 tennis courts and 4 padel courts. According to Skipton’s data, Sheffield has also seen a spike of applications by 18% in the years 24-25.
Birmingham is also one of the most affordable at £264,480, with mortgage applications rising 21% from 24-25. This region has an impressive 224 tennis courts and 12 padel courts, but an active population (58.7%) is slightly lower.
Jen Lloyd, Head of Mortgage Products and Proposition at Skipton Building Society comments:
“There has been a noticeable shift in how buyers choose their ideal location, with lifestyle factors playing a bigger role than they once did. Having access to courts and an active local community can help turn occasional participation into a regular habit, which is why we’re seeing more buyers factor building a healthier routine into their decision-making. The challenge is that some of the most desirable areas come with higher house prices, so it’s about finding the right balance. With a bit of forward planning, buyers can find areas that support an active lifestyle while still feeling confident about their financial position. Taking the time to review your budget, understand your borrowing options and seek guidance where needed can help you make those decisions with greater clarity.
