Padel X at The RAU

Padel X at the Royal Agricultural University reimagines heritage tennis courts on the edge of Cirencester as a modern padel and pickleball hub. Three floodlit outdoor courts, laid with a microfilament artificial-turf surface, sit beside a restored clubhouse with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s an easy stop just off the A417 and A429, ten minutes from Kemble station, with free parking, changing facilities and self-service racket hire on hand. Open to members and casual players from early until late, it runs coaching and social sessions through the week. Booking is via the Padel X app.

New to padel? What you need for your first session

Most UK padel venues hire rackets by the hour, so you do not need to buy anything before your first game. Check this club’s booking page for hire availability and prices.

Once you have played a few times and want your own kit, this is the order we would buy in.

• Court shoes first. Clubs hire rackets, they do not hire shoes, and running trainers slide on padel courts. This is the single purchase that most improves your first month. See our best padel shoes for UK players.
• Then a racket. Once your technique has settled you will know whether you want control or power. Start with our best beginner padel rackets, or read how to choose your first padel racket.
• Balls last. Most clubs provide balls for casual sessions. When you start playing regularly, see our best padel balls for UK courts.

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Never played before? Read the rules of padel and how padel differs from tennis before you turn up.

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