My visit to Court de Padel, including our game and lunch, was gifted. As always, all opinions are my own.
Padel seems to be everywhere at the moment. New courts are appearing up and down the country and more people are picking up a racket to give it a try.
Despite that, I knew very little about the sport before Court de Padel invited The Chap and me along for a game and lunch.
So, on Sunday morning, we headed to Whiffler Road in Norwich to find out what all the fuss was about.
First impressions
Court de Padel opened in November 2025 and everything feels fresh, clean and shiny.
It has much more of a leisure club vibe than a traditional sports centre. Alongside the courts, there’s gym equipment, a Pilates studio and treatments rooms.
There are also comfortable seating areas, a bar, screens and an outdoor terrace with large televisions.
The Chap used to play squash and pointed out how different it felt from the small, tired rooms often associated with the sport. Court de Padel feels brighter, more sociable and somewhere you might happily spend time before or after a game.
The changing rooms are equally smart, with clean private showers, lockers, hairdryers and plenty of space.
Good air conditioning throughout also helps. Sports centres often feel hot and stuffy (especially when you’re playing on one of the hottest days of the year), but the temperature felt comfortable throughout our visit, even once we had worked up a sweat.
My only complaint was the car park.
We visited on a busy Sunday morning and there were lots of vehicles coming and going from all of the units in the Whiffler Road complex, which made me fear for my wing mirrors.
Playing padel for the first time
Padel combines elements of tennis and squash. You play on an enclosed court and can use the walls to keep the ball in play.
Before our session, the reception team gave us a brief introduction. They were friendly, helpful and easy to chat to. Because they play padel themselves, they could answer questions from personal experience.
We had a private court for an hour, which gave us plenty of time to experiment without worrying about holding anyone else up. There are more courts for doubles matches, but because we were just starting out, we played on one of the smaller courts.
That first session mostly involved getting used to the rackets, trying to control the ball and remembering that bouncing it off the walls was part of the game rather than a sign that something had gone wrong.
It’s only right that I mention that my hand-eye coordination is poor, so I wasn’t expecting great things from myself, but within an hour, I started to get to grips with things.
Once we started moving around the court and attempting longer rallies, it proved to be quite the workout. By the end of the hour, I had worked up a proper sweat.
We were both keen to play again by the time our session finished, which is probably the best endorsement I can give it.
Food and drink at Court de Padel
After our session ended, we headed to the bar for lunch.
The menu includes paninis, pizzas, smoothies, alcoholic drinks and soft drinks, so there is enough choice for a quick meal after playing or for anyone watching from the sidelines.
I ordered a vegetarian panini filled with red peppers, onions, cheese and jalapeño mayonnaise, along with a kombucha.
The Chap chose a pizza topped with chorizo, jalapeños and hot honey, accompanied by a pint of Victoria.
The food was filling and reasonably priced and it was a nice way to unwind after our game. My panini cost £6.99, while The Chap’s pizza was £12.50.
It suited the setting well and made an easy lunch after our game.
How much does padel cost at Court de Padel?
At the time of our visit, a single court cost:
- £22 per hour during peak periods
- £18 per hour during off-peak periods
Members receive 10% off court bookings.
Rackets cost £5 each to hire, although members can borrow them free of charge. A tube of balls costs £6.50.
Membership costs £17.50 per month and also includes other benefits, although you do not need to join to book a court.
Bookings can be made through the Court de Padel website.
Is Court de Padel worth visiting?
Absolutely. Court de Padel offers a friendly and approachable introduction to a sport that can look more complicated than it really is.
Beginners can book a private court, borrow rackets and start experimenting without needing much previous knowledge. The staff are happy to help and the atmosphere feels relaxed rather than intimidating. They also have classes and coaching on offer for an additional fee.
We may not have mastered the art of padel just yet, but we’re lookimg forward to another game.
Court de Padel, 5 Whiffler Road, Norwich
