Frequently Asked Questions

Booking & Access

• How do I book a court at Colwick Padel?

  All bookings run through our online booking portal.
  
  From here you can check what's free and reserve your slot in a few clicks.

• Do I need to be a member to play?

  No. Colwick Padel runs on a pay as you go basis, so you simply pay for the time you book. There are no membership fees or ongoing commitments.

• How does court access work if there's no reception?

  Colwick Padel is a self-service venue. Once your booking is confirmed, our online booking system will provide a unique access code for our smart lock, so you can let yourself onto the court at your booked time.

• Can I cancel / change a booking?

  Yes, bookings can be amended or cancelled through the online booking portal.

Getting Started With Padel

• What is padel?

  Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed court, smaller than a tennis court and surrounded by glass and mesh walls. The ball can be played off the walls, which keeps rallies going and makes the game easier to pick up than tennis.

• Is padel the same as paddle tennis?

  No. Paddle tennis is an older, separate sport. Padel is played on an enclosed court with glass walls, uses a solid stringless racket and a slightly depressurised ball, and follows tennis style scoring. The two names sound alike, but the games themselves are quite different.

• Do I need experience to play?

  Not at all. Padel is well suited to complete beginners, thanks to the underarm serve, smaller court and forgiving rallies off the walls. Many players pick up the basics within their first session.

• How many players do I need?

  Padel is almost always played in doubles, so you'll need four players in total, two on each side of the net.

• What's the difference between padel and tennis?

  Padel is played on a smaller, enclosed court, with an underarm serve and the option to play the ball off the surrounding walls. Tennis is played on a larger, open court with an overhead serve. Scoring in both sports follows a similar system.

Equipment & What To Wear

• Do I need my own racket and balls?

  Yes. As a self-service venue, Colwick Padel does not offer equipment hire on site, so please bring your own padel racket and balls.

• What should I wear to play?

  Comfortable sports clothing is fine. For footwear, non-marking court shoes are recommended, ideally padel or clay court shoes with good grip, since standard trainers can slip on the playing surface.

The Court & Facilities

• How big is the court?

  Our court measures 20 metres by 10 metres, in line with standard padel dimensions, and is enclosed by glass and mesh walls.

• Is the court indoor or outdoor?

  Colwick Padel is a fully indoor court, so games can go ahead whatever the weather.

• Is there parking available?

  Free on-site parking is available directly outside the venue, making it easy to arrive, park up and get straight on court. Whether you're popping in for a quick game after work or bringing friends along for a longer session, there's no need to worry about finding a space nearby.