Life's a Beach: Beach Volleyball Courts in London

• By Ellen O'Riordan on Mar 18, 2016

Life's a Beach: Beach Volleyball Courts in London

London might miss out on the golden California sun, the crystal clear oceans of Hawaii and the sunset beaches of Miami, but that didn’t stop GB’s Olympic Beach Volleyball Team giving it their best chop shot in the London 2012 games.  Still, with four or so months of temperamental sunshine and a sturdy tolerance for mediocre weather, there’s plenty of time to grab your friends, don your finest swimsuit and bounce to a beach volleyball court.

Crystal Palace National Sports Centre

Crystal Palace National Sports Centre’s courts, run by the GLL, are a fantastic choice for beach volleyball whatever the season, as they are open all year round, becoming indoor courts during the winter.  Courts are open weekdays 9am til 11pm,weekends 9am-5pm costs and cost £15 for 60 mins.

Barn Elms Sports Centre

Barn Elms Sports Centre has four beach courts open throughout the year.  A court for an hour is £3 per person, with the price capped at £15.  Weekend social sessions start in late April of each year.  There are family sessions from 11am to 12pm and adult sessions 12pm until 1pm .  Kids cost £4 and adults pay £6 to participate.  For bookings email barnelms@wandsworth.gov.uk.

Sideout Beach

Sideout Beach is just a 6 minute walk from Leyton tube station, you would never know that there’s a patch of golden sand; a postage stamp of summer in the midst of East London.  Its 4 courts are open 6pm til dark on weekdays and 9am til dark on weekends and bank holidays.  Courts can be booked for £15 per hour with a ball covered in the fee. http://www.sideout.co.uk Its fully furnished clubhouse features changing facilities and a cafe-bar with wifi.

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon Park’s courts are located on the edge of the beautiful park and are open dawn until dusk from April to late September.  They have an active facebook community that posts about regular events and club nights.  The courts cost £17 per hour and can be booked by phoning 020 8879 0611 for bookings.

Westminster Academy

Westminster Academy’s beach courts were made as a temporary facility in the run up to the 2012 games, but their popularity has made them a permanent feature.  They are open weekday 5pm til 10pm and on weekends 9am til 10pm.  The courts are £29 per hour.