Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club… Our History….

Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious lawn tennis clubs in the United Kingdom, forming part of the wider Beckenham Cricket Club estate established in 1866. Lawn tennis was introduced at Foxgrove Road in November 1879, marking the beginning of a long and distinguished sporting history.

Early Development
The tennis section initially began with just three grass courts. Over time, the club expanded significantly and now includes a wide range of playing surfaces including grass, acrylic, artificial clay, and macadam courts. This growth reflects the club’s commitment to maintaining both tradition and modern standards.

Growth and Contribution to Tennis

The club has played an important role in the development of lawn tennis in England. It became a founder member of the Kent Lawn Tennis Association and opened its membership to women as early as 1880, demonstrating progressive inclusion for the time.

Major Events and Recognition

Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club gained prominence through the Kent All-Comers’ Championships, first held in 1886. The event developed international recognition and eventually became one of the most important grass court tournaments in the UK.

Facilities and Evolution

The club has undergone several structural developments, including clubhouse rebuilds, pavilion construction, and expansion of court surfaces. Notably, floodlights were introduced in 1984, marking a modernisation step for year-round play.

Notable Players and Members
The club has attracted numerous world-class players and honorary members, including Maria Bueno, John Newcombe, Vijay Amritraj, and Pam Shriver, reinforcing its reputation as a key venue in the tennis calendar.


Historical Milestones
1866   Beckenham Cricket Club established (24 March)
1879   Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club established (17 November)
1880   Membership opened to female members (29 November)
1886   First Kent All-Comers’ Championships (1-5 June)
1890   Founder member of the Kent Lawn Tennis Association
1893   Main Clubhouse re-built, with more changing room space
1895   Original Pavilion beside three grass courts knocked down
1895   Beckenham Journal indicates there are 150 Lady tennis members
1895   Ladies and Men’s singles trophies first presented to club champions
1896   The Ladies’ Pavilion built for female members
1906   The Ladies’ Pavilion is glazed and made water tight
1920   First under-21 events held as part of Kent All-Comers’ Championships
1922   Davis Cup tie contested between India and Romania (19-20 June)
1928   Nursery extension completed on the side of The Ladies’ Pavilion
1932   First of regular annual warm-up matches held during Tennis Week for Wightman Cup ties
1940   Parachute mine lands on grass Court 11 & 12, rendering nearby Maywood House uninhabitable (18 November)
1946   Kent All-Comers’ Championships recommences after World War II
1963   Kent All-Comers’ Championships becomes Great Britain’s first sponsored tennis event (Rothmans)
1966   Beckenham Cricket Club centenary; new main clubhouse built (beginning August)
1968   Kent All-Comers’ Championships becomes world’s first Open Era grass-court event
1971   Kent All-Comers’ Championships saved from ending by Peter West & Associates Ltd. sponsorship
1975   Groundsman’s house construction work completed (first resident George Stoneham)
1977   First visit of Beckenham members to Rotterdam Tennis Club (R12), lasting 23 years
1977   Angela Hughes appointed as first female chairman of Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club
1979   Two macadam courts constructed (Courts 5-6), replacing grass courts
1980   Men’s first team crowned summer Kent County Champions, ending a 52-year wait for title
1984   Floodlights switched on for first time on two macadam courts (November)
1986   Centenary of Kent All-Comers’ Championships (Direct Line Insurance Beckenham open)
1987   Trophy bar extension work completed in main clubhouse
1990   Two shale courts converted to macadam courts (Courts 8-10)
1991   One macadam court constructed (cage Court 7)
1996   101st and final Kent All-Comers’ Championships (Beckenham Open), ending due to lack of sponsor
1996   Renovation work begins on The Ladies’ Pavilion (February)
1996   First Beckenham Junior Open held (July) with Peugeot as title sponsor
1997   Four acrylic courts with floodlights constructed (September), replacing grass match courts (Courts 1-4)
1999   Ladies’ first team crowned summer Kent County Champions, ending a 52-wait for title
2001   Ladies first team crowned winter Kent County Champions, ending a 50-wait for title
2004  Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club celebrates 125th anniversary
2004  The Ladies’ Pavilion is renamed The Summer Pavilion (June)
2005  Attempts made to resurrect the Kent All-Comers’ Championships (January-June)
2009  The Kent County Junior Championships held (August)
2011   Three artificial clay courts constructed (May), replacing macadam courts (Courts 5-7)
2013   The Summer Pavilion is Grade II listed by English Heritage (March)
2014   Four acrylic courts surface re-skimmed (Courts 1-4)
2015   20th Beckenham Junior Open held (July) with AMOSCA as title sponsor
2016   Beckenham Cricket Club celebrates its 150th anniversary

View a list of Beckenham Cricket Club Presidents & Vice Presidents from the tennis section.