Game, Set, and Match: Stories from the Tennis Court

10 nights - 740 miles

Wimbledon fans, get your rackets at the ready for an ace of a journey where you’ll be able to play on tennis courts from Cornwall to Scotland.

About the break

This is an ambitious journey stretching from the Cornish coast to the heart of Scotland – so feel free to do it in segments, or use it as bucket-list inspiration to craft your own tennis breaks…

Start in the south, right on the Cornish coast, with its dramatic headlands and pretty coves. Just by Veryan village with its charming round houses you’ll find The Nare, where the seaside views are so lovely from the tennis court, you may struggle to keep your eyes on the ball as you play your debut game. Rackets and balls are available at reception; you can also book a tennis pro to help improve your game.

Stay at The Nare Hotel, the self-styled country house by the sea, right by Carne beach, which has stunning views from its pool, hot tub and rooms as well as from the tennis court, and boats to explore the coast.

You’ll want to stay for ever, but the rest of Britain is calling, so it’s time to swap the coast for the countryside and head north to the scenic South Downs.

Break up your journey with a stay at Bovey Castle on the edge of Dartmoor, which has so many activities on offer, from falconry to fly fishing, you’ll have to remind yourself you’re there for the tennis.

Swap Dartmoor with the downs, the undulating chalkland that runs across southern England. Here, the South Downs Way carves a 100-mile path for hikers and bikers over a carpet of green. There’s also grass underfoot at the two championship tennis courts at Park House Hotel in Midhurst, which are beautifully maintained by a team of four full-time gardeners. After a match or two, you will have earned a glass of English sparkling wine from a nearby vineyard.

Stay at Park House Hotel & Spa, a charming country house property with traditional interiors as well as a three-par golf course, indoor and outdoor pools and a spa for post-match recovery.

Now get set for Scotland, for a very special final tournament. En route, you’ll pass through Britain’s heartland and its smallest county, Rutland, where the shimmering reservoir takes centre stage.

Break up your journey with a stay at Hambleton Hall in Rutland, with enchanting views over the reservoir and Michelin-starred cuisine to reward yourself with after time on the tennis court.

You can drive from Hambleton to Dunblane in Scotland’s Stirlingshire in six hours, or stop half way at Rockliffe Hall, where there are plenty of sports to enjoy on the estate – including tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course. But it’s worth the journey when you consider that Andy Murray’s hotel, Cromlix, is waiting at the other end. The outdoor court here is painted in Wimbledon’s iconic purple and green (they had to get special permission to do this). If you want to get serious, a professional coach is on hand to give private or group lessons for all ages and abilities. Or try pickleball, a combination of tennis, ping pong and badminton. Time your visit well and you could even take part in one of Judy Murray’s pickleball clinics to help you win game, set and match.

Stay at Cromlix, on a 34-acre estate, which is all spruced up from a refurbishment, with beautifully designed rooms overseen by Andy’s wife, Kim.

Stay Dine Spa

The Nare Hotel

  • Rooms

  • Spa

  • Food & Drink

Bovey Castle

  • Rooms

  • Spa

  • Food & Drink

Park House Hotel & Spa

  • Rooms

  • Spa

  • Food & Drink

Hambleton Hall

  • Rooms

  • Food & Drink

Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

  • Rooms

  • Spa

  • Food & Drink

Cromlix

  • Rooms

  • Food & Drink

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