London offers a vast array of places where you can play badminton. From leisure centres and sports halls to social meetups and competitive clubs, you're spoilt for choice. You can find casual sessions, pay-and-play courts, structured training with coaching, and options for every part of the city. Players can book indoor facilities through things like Better, Everyone Active, or Playfinder or join one of the many badminton clubs London has to offer. You can start with "No Strings Badminton" sessions or community meetups. Advanced players can find league clubs and academies across the city. Finding where to play Badminton in London has never been easier.
| Venue / Provider | Session Types & Features | Price / Membership Info |
|---|---|---|
| Better (GLL) Leisure Centres | Court hire (pay-as-you-go), 'No Strings' sessions, social drop-ins | £6–£10 per hour (discounts for members/off-peak) |
| Everyone Active (Queen Mother Sports Centre, Pimlico) | Court hire, group sessions, coaching | £7–£10 per hour; concession rates for students/residents |
| Southwark Leisure Centres (Canada Water, Peckham Pulse) | Social sessions, council discounts, casual booking | £6–£8 per session; reduced fees for locals |
| No Strings Badminton (Badminton England programme) | Adult social play, all levels, equipment provided | £4.70–£6.50 per session (pay-as-you-go) |
| Meetup Groups (London Social, Central London, etc.) | 2–3 hr social games, mixed abilities, book online | £9–£13 per session depending on venue |
| SE1 & Crescent Badminton Clubs | Regular club nights, feather shuttles, intermediate+ | £11–£12 per session |
| London East Badminton Club (Stratford) | Club training + competitive league play | 3 hr session for £13 |
| Guys & Dolls Badminton Academy (Little Venice) | Coaching + match play, academy-style training | £13 per session; £25–£40 private coaching |
| Universities (UCL, Imperial, LondonMet) | Student clubs, training sessions, leagues | Subsidised rates, often £5–£8 per session |
Leisure Centres and Court Hire Across London
Consider starting with your local leisure centre; there are badminton clubs all over the UK. Many have indoor badminton courts that can be booked by the hour. Operators like Better (GLL) and Everyone Active manage dozens of centres across the city in areas like Pimlico, Southwark, Islington, and Whitechapel. Generally, court hire can be between £6 and £10 per hour, with discounts for members and off-peak slots.
Major Operators
Better (GLL)
- 100+ centres across London
- Easy app and web booking system
- Pay-as-you-go or discounted memberships
Everyone Active
- Venues such as Queen Mother Sports Centre (Pimlico)
- Flexible sessions: court hire + “No Strings Badminton”
- Offers student and concession rates
Southwark Leisure Centres
- Canada Water, Peckham Pulse, Seven Islands (now relocated)
- Options for casual booking and club sessions
In addition to casual hire, there are drop-in sessions like "No Strings Badminton" for more social play. This can be cheaper than booking a private court. Online booking apps and flexible payment options make this one of the most affordable ways to play badminton.
Book early for weekday evenings and weekends, as prime slots in central London venues fill quickly.
Social and Community Badminton Sessions
Suppose you want a friendly and informal atmosphere. In that case, social badminton sessions in London are great if you don't have a partner or want to work out while meeting new people. Popular options include No Strings Badminton, Meetup groups, and even council-run community drop-ins. Prices are usually between £6 and £10 per session, with many venues providing shuttles and racquets.
Social Options
No Strings Badminton
- Nationwide programme backed by Badminton England
- Adults (16+) welcome, all levels catered for
- Pay-as-you-go sessions from £3–£7
Meetup Groups
- Independent groups across East, West, and North London
- Sessions typically last 2 hours, book online in advance
- Around £7–£10, with players of mixed abilities
Council Drop-Ins
- Run in boroughs such as Southwark, Islington, and Tower Hamlets
- Open-door sessions, no membership needed
- Affordable, with concessions for residents
With these formats, you can enjoy badminton across London without having to commit to a long-term membership. These formats are great for trying out venues, too, without committing to membership. Of course, London isn't the only place to play badminton, and you can find all over the UK, including badminton clubs in Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Birmingham.
Badminton Clubs London: Joining a Club or League
For more serious players, joining a badminton club in London is a way to improve their skills, meet regular partners, and play in competitive leagues. Clubs generally offer a mix of social nights, match practice, and league fixtures, which offer something for beginners, intermediates, and advanced players. Fees range from £10 to £13 per session or £150 to £250 for seasonal memberships.
Club Types
Social Clubs
- Example: SE1 Badminton Club (sessions ~£11.62)
- Friendly games, all levels welcome
- Casual commitment, pay-per-session
Intermediate/Advanced Clubs
- Example: Crescent Badminton Club (Swiss Cottage) (~£11 per session)
- Club nights focused on feather shuttles & match play
- Suitable for players with 2+ years’ experience
Competitive and League Clubs
- Example: London East Badminton Club (Chobham Academy) (3 hrs ~£13)
- Members play in local and county leagues
- Opportunities for tournament entry and regular fixtures
Notable Badminton Clubs in London
Coaching, Training, and Academies
If you want to improve your badminton technique, London has plenty of badminton coaching options. Whether you want one-to-one private lessons or group training at academies, players of all levels and ages can train. Prices can vary according to several factors, but most individuals can expect to pay between £25 and £40 per hour of individual coaching. Group training ranges between £10 and £15 on average.
Coaching Options
Junior Coaching
- Weekly group training sessions
- Many schools and academies across East & West London
- Affordable (around £10–£12 per session)
Adult Beginner Coaching
- Suitable for new or returning players
- Venues include Sobell Leisure Centre and Queen Mother Sports Centre
- Typically £12–£15 per class
Advanced Training / Academies
- Examples: Guys & Dolls Badminton Academy, London Badminton Academy
- Focus on technique, stamina, and match play
- £25–£40 per private lesson; group training £15
Ask about taster sessions before committing. Many academies offer trial classes at a reduced rate.
Free and Low-Cost Options in London
Badminton in London needn't be expensive. Some sports organisations offer taster sessions, discounted community programmes, or student-friendly rates. With sessions costing between £4 and £7 per hour, there are also free events supported by Badminton England and London Sport. Students can join university sessions at a discounted price, and be sure to ask your local leisure centre about rates for residents, juniors, or seniors.
Affordable Ways to Play
In September and January, many venues offer free trials or 50% off first bookings to attract new members.
How to Book a Badminton Court in London
Thanks to apps and online platforms, booking a badminton court in London has never been easier. Whether you want a casual game or a structured session, you can reserve courts for between £6 and £16 an hour. Most leisure centres have their own booking systems, but there's also Playfinder and SchoolHire to help you find sports halls across the city as well as for playing badminton in cities like Liverpool, Newcastle, or Cardiff.
Booking Process
Step 1
Choose a venue
Better, Everyone Active, or a local council centre
Step 2
Download the app or visit the website
Better UK app, Everyone Active app, Playfinder.com
Step 3
Select date and time
Off-peak slots are cheaper and more available
Step 4
Confirm payment online
Secure booking with card or wallet
Step 5
Arrive ready to play
Bring your own racket or hire one at reception (£2–£3)
Popular Booking Platforms in London
London Areas: Where to Play Badminton Near You
Luckily, there are good badminton clubs and centres across London. Badminton isn't unique to England, though, and you can play badminton in Edinburgh, too. However, if you find yourself in the capital, here are some of the best-known spots to play.
North London
We are a small, competitive but friendly club who play in Swiss Cottage on Tuesday nights from 8-10 pm.
Crescent Badminton Club
East London
West London
South London
Events and Competitive Badminton in London
London has a busy calendar of badminton events. From local club tournaments to national competitions, there's a lot of badminton to be played beyond casual play. Larger venues host ranking events overseen by Badminton England, and competitive players can even join inter-club matches, weekend tournaments, and student leagues.
September – October
Local league seasons begin
Borough & County level
November – December
London Universities Sports League fixtures across UCL, Imperial, and King's
March – April
Badminton England regional events
Often hosted at Copper Box Arena
June – July
London Sport community tournaments and summer social leagues
Finding Your Perfect Badminton Spot
With so many places to choose from, it can be tricky finding the right venue; the same is true for playing badminton in Birmingham, where there are also plenty of places to play. If you want flexible and affordable play, leisure centres or No Strings sessions are a good idea. Join a badminton club if you prefer a regular routine and guaranteed partners.
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