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Tennis coaching

How much do tennis lessons cost in Solihull and Birmingham?

Real price examples, the extras to check, and how to get the most from your budget.

Quick answer

A one-to-one tennis lesson in Solihull or Birmingham typically costs around £30 to £36 per session, and published UK rates outside London commonly run from about £25 to £45 an hour. Shared and group lessons cost less per person. Check whether court hire is included: Solihull park courts are free to book, while Birmingham park courts cost £7 an hour.

Tennis lesson prices can look all over the place when you first start searching. One coach charges £24, another £65, and it isn't always obvious what you're paying for. This guide explains the typical price ranges, what pushes the cost up or down, and the hidden extras to check before you book in Solihull or Birmingham.

What is the typical price of a one-to-one tennis lesson?

Coaches publish their own rates, so the clearest picture comes from looking at real price lists. Here are some examples from LTA ClubSpark pages and a local quote site:

SourceWhat's listedPrice
Bark, BirminghamTypical session with a qualified coachFrom about £30, average about £36
Bark, BirminghamPremium or specialist coachingFrom about £55
Sandal Lawn Tennis ClubLevel 2 and Level 3 accredited coaches, one hour (member rate)£24
Sandal Lawn Tennis ClubLevel 4 Accredited+ coach, one hour (member rate)£32
Tennis Smiths55-minute individual lesson, depending on coach£30 to £40
The Tennis HubOne hour, one player£45
Highbury Fields, LondonOne hour, one-to-one, court included£65

Putting that together, a typical one-to-one lesson outside London sits somewhere around £25 to £45 an hour, with Birmingham quotes clustering in the low to mid £30s. London and specialist performance coaching cost more. These are typical figures, not fixed rates, so always check the coach's own price list.

What affects the price?

The coach's qualification and experience

The LTA's qualification pathway runs from Level 1 (Assistant) and Level 2 (Instructor) through Level 3 (Tennis Coach), Level 4 (Senior Coach) and Level 5. Higher levels generally charge more, which you can see in the Sandal example above where the Level 4 coach is priced above the Level 2 and 3 coaches. If you want to understand the levels, read what LTA accredited means.

Court hire and membership

Some prices include the court and some don't. Several clubs add a small surcharge for non-members; for example, Sandal adds £2 an hour and Tennis Smiths adds £3 a session. Locally, Solihull Council's park courts are free to book online, while Birmingham's park courts cost £7 an hour on pay and play or £52 a year with an annual pass. That can make a real difference over a term of lessons.

Lesson length

Not every "lesson" is an hour. Some coaches sell 45 or 55-minute sessions, which is why it's worth comparing like for like.

Format

Sharing a lesson brings the cost per person down. Group courses and club junior sessions are usually the cheapest way to get regular coaching, though you get less individual attention.

Is one-to-one, shared or group coaching better value?

It depends on what you want. One-to-one is the most expensive per hour but gives you the coach's full attention, which is ideal for fixing a specific shot. Shared lessons halve the cost and give you someone to rally with. Groups are the most affordable and the most social, and they're a good way to meet people to play with.

A sensible approach for many beginners is to start with a short block of structured lessons, then drop to occasional one-to-ones while playing socially in between.

What do my lessons cost?

I keep my prices simple and published, so you know exactly what you're paying:

OptionPriceNotes
Intro lesson£20One hour, for new players
One-to-one£35 per hourStandard rate
Shared session£45 per hourSplit between two, so £22.50 each
5-week starter programme£165Fundamentals, rally game, serving and return, tactics and footwork, match play
3-week focused programme£99For example Serve School, spin and rally control, net play or match mindset
Corporate sessionsAsk for a quoteTaster sessions, team days, weekly series, executive coaching

I'm an LTA accredited Level 3 coach, DBS checked, first aid trained and fully insured, and I coach from mini red beginners up to adults. You can see more on my tennis coaching page.

Are there hidden costs to look out for?

Before you commit, it's worth asking a few questions:

  • Is court hire included, or do I pay the venue separately?
  • Is there a non-member surcharge at this club?
  • How long is the lesson, exactly?
  • What is the cancellation policy, and what happens if it rains?
  • Do block bookings need to be used within a set period?
  • Will I need my own racket and balls?

None of these are red flags on their own. They just help you compare prices fairly.

Can you keep costs down without losing progress?

Yes. The cheapest improvement comes from practising between lessons. Book a free Solihull park court with a friend and work on whatever you covered that week. Even 30 minutes of feeding each other balls will help it stick.

A focused short programme is another good option if money is tight. Three weeks on one area, such as your serve, can make a bigger difference than months of general lessons where you never quite settle on anything. For a wider look at lesson formats, courts and coaches, see the complete guide to tennis lessons in Solihull and South Birmingham, and for free and low-cost places to practise, read our local courts guide.

Want to talk it through?

If you're not sure which option fits, send me a WhatsApp on 07914 046329. Tell me your level and what you'd like to achieve, and I'll suggest the simplest way to get there.

Questions people ask

Are children's tennis lessons cheaper than adult lessons?

Junior group sessions and mini tennis classes are usually cheaper per child than private adult lessons, because the coach works with several children at once. One-to-one lessons tend to cost the same whatever the player's age, since you're paying for the coach's full hour.

Is it worth paying more for a higher level coach?

For complete beginners, a well-qualified, accredited coach at Level 2 or Level 3 is usually plenty. Higher levels and specialist performance coaches make more sense once you're competing seriously or want detailed technical and tactical work. What matters most early on is clear teaching and regular practice.

Do I pay the coach and the court separately?

Sometimes. Some coaches include court hire in their price, and some clubs charge non-members a small extra fee. On Solihull's council courts, booking is free. In Birmingham parks, courts are £7 an hour on pay and play. Always ask what's included before you book.

Max Brazier

About the author

Max Brazier

Max is a Level 3 personal trainer, LTA accredited Level 3 tennis coach and 3rd Dan karate black belt based in Olton, Solihull. He trains clients one-to-one at home, in local parks or in the gym, and coaches tennis at West Warwickshire, Moseley and Streetly tennis clubs.

More about Max →

Sources

  1. Bark: tennis lessons in Birmingham (typical session prices)
  2. Sandal Lawn Tennis Club: private lesson prices by coach level
  3. Tennis Smiths: individual coaching prices
  4. The Tennis Hub: private lesson prices
  5. Karen Dawson Coaching: private lessons at Highbury Fields, London
  6. LTA Coaching Qualifications Pathway
  7. Solihull Parks Tennis (LTA ClubSpark)
  8. Birmingham Parks Tennis: annual pass and pay and play
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