Chelmsford's main leisure centre has six pickleball courts, the most in Essex among verified venues, bookable pay-as-you-go or as a regular block. Off-peak weekday daytime and weekend afternoons are the cheapest slots.
From £13.10
County guide · England
Pickleball courts in Essex
Essex's verified pickleball starts in Chelmsford, where the council runs courts at three centres: six at Riverside, four at the Sport and Athletics Centre, and more at South Woodham Ferrers, all bookable pay-as-you-go with clear peak and off-peak prices. Here's every venue checked so far.
Prices verified October 2026.
- Verified venues
- 18
- Courts at 4 venues
- 16
- Indoor / outdoor
- 12 / 4
- Price range
- £13.10–£16.60
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Venues across Essex
Chelmsford, Essex
The council's sport and athletics centre adds four more pickleball courts in Chelmsford, bookable pay-as-you-go or as a block booking. A good alternative when Riverside is busy.
South Woodham Ferrers, Essex
The southern end of Chelmsford's council network also offers pickleball, so players around South Woodham Ferrers and the Dengie needn't drive into the city for a game.
Colchester
The modern sports park at Colchester's Northern Gateway, where South Suffolk Pickleball crosses the county line for a Tuesday early-evening session. Easy to reach off the A12.
Lexden, Colchester
A school sports hall in Lexden, on Colchester's western side, used for South Suffolk Pickleball club sessions. Members book ahead, so turning up on spec isn't the done thing here.
Chigwell
East London Pickleball's adult home, in the sports hall at Chigwell School: through the main gates, building on the left, and if you can smell the swimming pool you're in the right place. Three evenings a week, with a monthly basics course for newcomers.
Beginner friendly Coaching
Wivenhoe
Four pickleball courts added in 2024, with grant funding, to a village tennis club near Colchester, and an active pickleball group to go with them. Courts can be hired at £15 an hour, which split four ways is cheaper than the bus to Colchester.
From £15 Paddles provided Coaching
Frinton-on-Sea
A multi-sport club founded in 1899 that now lists pickleball alongside tennis, croquet, pétanque and a Sunday lunch. Frinton at its most Frinton, and we mean that kindly.
Sandon, Chelmsford
Two dedicated outdoor pickleball courts just outside Chelmsford, open to everyone and bookable online. Grab three friends, a paddle each, and off you go.
Old Harlow
A multi-activity centre in Old Harlow, run by BATTS, where pickleball shares the hall with table tennis, short mat bowls and five-a-side. Free parking and a canteen, too.
Basildon
A big David Lloyd club on the Festival Leisure Park, where pickleball sits alongside padel, badminton and squash. Members-only, but the facilities are about as complete as Essex gets.
Harlow
David Lloyd's Harlow club, on the Innovation Park, with pickleball sessions for members. Useful for west Essex and east Hertfordshire.
Southend-on-Sea
A David Lloyd club on Snakes Lane, on Southend's northern edge, with pickleball for members. South Essex's members' option, and a dry alternative to the seafront in winter.
A big leisure and tennis centre at Garon Park, on the edge of Southend, offering pickleball indoors and out as part of its racket programme. Call the centre to book a court or find a session.
Burnham-on-Crouch
A Places Leisure sports centre in Burnham-on-Crouch, with 60-minute pickleball bookings. The Dengie peninsula is remote; its pickleball needn't be.
Epping
Epping's leisure centre on Bakers Lane, run by Places Leisure, with pickleball bookable via the timetable. At the end of the Central line, conveniently.
Great Dunmow
Great Dunmow's leisure centre, with pickleball among the sports hall activities. A handy option for Uttlesford's villages.
Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden's leisure centre, with pickleball available in the sports hall. North-west Essex's market town has joined in.
Compare Essex venues at a glance
| Venue | Area | Setting | Courts | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside Leisure Centre | Chelmsford, Essex | Indoor | 6 | £13.10 |
| Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre | Chelmsford, Essex | Indoor | 4 | – |
| South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre | South Woodham Ferrers, Essex | Indoor | – | – |
| Colchester Sports Park | Colchester | Indoor | – | – |
| Holmwood House School | Lexden, Colchester | Indoor | – | – |
| Chigwell School Sport & Wellness Centre | Chigwell | Indoor | – | – |
| Wivenhoe Tennis Club | Wivenhoe | Outdoor | 4 | £15 |
| Frinton-on-Sea Lawn Tennis Club | Frinton-on-Sea | Outdoor | – | – |
| Great Baddow Lawn Tennis Club | Sandon, Chelmsford | Outdoor | 2 | – |
| Norman Booth Centre | Old Harlow | Indoor | – | – |
| David Lloyd Basildon | Basildon | – | – | – |
| David Lloyd Harlow | Harlow | – | – | – |
| David Lloyd Southend | Southend-on-Sea | – | – | – |
| Dengie Hundred Sports Centre | Burnham-on-Crouch | Indoor | – | – |
| Epping Leisure Centre | Epping | Indoor | – | – |
| Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre | Southend-on-Sea | Indoor + outdoor | – | – |
| Great Dunmow Leisure Centre | Great Dunmow | Indoor | – | – |
| Lord Butler Leisure Centre | Saffron Walden | Indoor | – | – |
Largest venues in Essex
- Riverside Leisure Centre · 6 courts · Indoor
- Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre · 4 courts · Indoor
- Wivenhoe Tennis Club · 4 courts · Outdoor
- Great Baddow Lawn Tennis Club · 2 courts · Outdoor
Essex venues by postcode area
- SS14
- David Lloyd Basildon
Cost of pickleball in Essex
Across the 18 venues we track in Essex, paid sessions run from £13.10 to £16.60 per person. The cheapest regular session is at Riverside Leisure Centre. Prices were last verified October 2026. Always check the booking link before travelling, and see how Essex compares in our UK pickleball price index.
More courts within 25 miles
Frequently asked questions
How much does pickleball cost in Essex?
Paid sessions we track in Essex run from £13.10 to £16.60 per person. The cheapest regular option is Riverside Leisure Centre.
Are there indoor pickleball courts in Essex?
12 of the 18 venues we list in Essex are indoor: Riverside Leisure Centre, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre, South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre, Colchester Sports Park, Holmwood House School, Chigwell School Sport & Wellness Centre, Norman Booth Centre, Dengie Hundred Sports Centre, Epping Leisure Centre, Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre, Great Dunmow Leisure Centre, Lord Butler Leisure Centre.
Where can beginners play pickleball in Essex?
Chigwell School Sport & Wellness Centre runs beginner-friendly sessions, and most lend paddles; see each venue page for equipment details. New to the sport? Read our how-to-play guide first.