Margate Lawn Tennis Club

The tennis courts at Margate Lawn Tennis Club sit just outside Birchington, a proper traditional setup that's been going for decades. It's the kind of place where you'll see serious players in the mornings and more casual matches come afternoon - nothing fancy, just well-maintained courts and people who actually know what they're doing with a racket.

If you're a keen player yourself, this is worth seeking out. The club operates on membership, so you won't just rock up for a quick hit unless you know someone local, but that's the point of a proper tennis club. The courts are good quality, the atmosphere is low-key, and there's a genuine community feel rather than the corporate leisure centre vibe you get elsewhere.

For holiday-makers based at Birchington Vale Holiday Park just down the road, this could work if you've got a group who fancy some tennis during your stay. You'd need to sort access beforehand - worth ringing ahead to see if they offer temporary memberships or day passes. The drive from The Foxhunter Park is equally quick at five miles.

Honestly, if you're not a tennis person, there's no reason to make a trip here. But if you are, and you want to play rather than watch, it beats the standard holiday park courts every time. Allow an hour or so for a match and a coffee after.