Cheltenham does spectacle well – from the Gold Cup crowds filling Prestbury Park in March to the literary festival audience that takes over the town every October. Padel fits that character. It’s sociable, visually compelling, and grows best where people already gather to enjoy things together.

The padel scene in Cheltenham is newer than in larger cities but it’s moved fast. The town now has three distinct options – a purpose-built indoor club, an established multi-sport venue with outdoor courts, and a rural retreat just outside the town boundary – each with a different feel. Here’s what each offers.

The Padel Club Cheltenham

The newest and most prominent venue is The Padel Club Cheltenham, which opened in August 2025 at Festival Trade Park on Wymans Lane, on the northern edge of the town. It’s a dedicated padel facility – four indoor panoramic courts under a ten-metre roof with LED lighting and a clubhouse alongside.

Booking is through the Playtomic app, and you don’t need a membership: pay per session. Pricing runs at £38 per hour off-peak (weekdays before 4:30pm) and £48 per hour at peak times and weekends. Courts are available from 6am on weekdays and 7am at weekends, closing at 11pm on most days.

The club has changing rooms, showers, lockers, a shop, and free parking – which matters in a town centre that can be expensive to park in. Equipment hire is available if you’re bringing someone new or travelling light. The social programme includes beginner sessions, group coaching, and community mixer events, so there’s a route in for players who are just starting out.

East Glos Club

East Glos Club is one of Cheltenham’s established multi-sport venues, and it’s been offering padel courts for longer than the newer dedicated clubs. The club has seven all-weather padel courts, and they run adult and junior coaching programmes alongside open play.

It’s a membership-based venue, but padel courts are accessible if you want to drop in – contact the club directly on 01242 230562 for current pricing and session availability. The court count is notable: seven courts is a lot, and it means getting a slot is rarely an issue. Booking is through the LTA’s ClubSpark platform, and the club has an active padel community at beginner and intermediate level.

Padel Shift at Elkstone Studios

The third option sits just outside Cheltenham in the Cotswolds countryside – Padel Shift at Elkstone Studios in Elkstone, GL53 9PQ. Two covered outdoor courts allow year-round play regardless of weather, and the rural setting is a real contrast to the urban venues.

Booking is through the Nettla app. Racket hire is available (£2.50 per racket per hour) and balls can be purchased on-site. The facilities are more pared-back – no changing rooms adjacent to the courts – but the site includes a bakery, food hall, and outdoor seating that makes it a leisurely half-day option. It’s worth noting that GL53 is technically in the Cotswold district, so it’s best suited to players coming from the southern part of Cheltenham or visitors staying in the surrounding villages.

What to expect at the Cheltenham Festival

If you’re visiting Cheltenham during the racing festival in March or the literature festival in October, padel is a practical option for social time away from the main events. The Padel Club’s Festival Trade Park location makes it easy to reach from the Cheltenham Racecourse area, and it’s the kind of activity that works for groups who want to do something active together without committing to a full day out.

The club operates early-morning slots from 6am, so fitting in a court before an afternoon at the races is straightforward. Book ahead via Playtomic – festival weekends get busy.

Cheltenham vs Gloucester

Cheltenham and Gloucester sit nine miles apart and it’s easy to assume the padel options overlap, but they serve different communities. Cheltenham’s venues skew toward lifestyle and leisure – the Padel Club format, the Elkstone rural setting, the multi-sport East Glos environment. Gloucester has its own developing scene worth exploring if you’re based between the two towns – see our padel courts in Gloucester guide.

Padel in Bristol is also within reach if you’re prepared to make a journey – around 40 minutes by road and a more established urban scene with more venues to choose from. Bath’s padel courts sit between the two cities on the A46, around 35 minutes south. To the east, Oxford’s padel courts are around 45 minutes along the A40 – Smash Padel Oxford and North Oxford LTC are both pay-to-play.

Getting started

If you’re new to padel, The Padel Club Cheltenham is the natural starting point – the beginner sessions are structured, equipment is available to hire, and the four-court set-up means there’s always something going on. Download Playtomic before you go and set up an account so you can book and pay in the app. Our guide to starting padel covers what to expect before your first session.

East Glos is a good option if you prefer a more traditional club environment or want junior options for children. Padel Shift at Elkstone is worth making a trip for once you’ve got a few sessions under your belt – the setting is excellent and the covered courts work well even in bad weather.

Cheltenham has the courts. The community is still building, which is part of what makes it an interesting time to start.

See how this compares elsewhere with the full directory of UK padel court guides, organised by region.