Newton Abbot Squash And Tennis Club

You know that feeling when you’ve been sat at a desk all day, and your shoulders have started creeping up towards your ears? Or maybe you’ve just wrestled with a toddler, a deadline, or an overflowing laundry basket. The last thing you want is another chore. That’s exactly why Newton Abbot Squash And Tennis Club feels like a secret escape, not a gym membership.

More than just a game of squash

Let’s be honest: squash looks terrifying from the outside. It’s a tiny black ball and four white walls. But step inside, and it’s the best kind of stress relief you never knew you needed. You can whack that ball as hard as you want, and nobody calls it anger management—they call it a good rally.

I remember my first time. I swung, missed, and nearly spun myself into the wall. The member next door just laughed through the glass and gave me a thumbs up. That’s the club: no judgment, just encouragement and a bit of friendly banter.

The tennis bit (for those who prefer fresh air)

If confined spaces aren’t your thing, the tennis courts out back are like stepping into a quiet village green—except the grass is perfectly striped. You can book a court for a gentle knock-about with a mate, or join a doubles session where the main goal seems to be hitting the ball and eating biscuits afterwards.

There’s no coach barking orders. Just the sound of rackets, the thud of balls, and someone shouting “yours!” at the wrong moment. We’ve all been that person. It’s okay.

Newton Abbot Tennis Club's 'very successful week' | middevonadvertiser

Why you should actually care

Here’s the real reason to care: you don’t have to be good. Seriously. The club runs “try it” sessions for absolute beginners, and even the seasoned players will tell you they started exactly where you are—whiffing at the ball and blaming the racket.

Think of it like your local pub, but with more sweat and fewer sticky tables. You walk in, nod at the same faces, complain about the weather, and then forget about your inbox for an hour. That hour is pure gold.

A little routine that sticks

Wednesday evenings have become my favourite. I grab the kids, drop them at the crèche (yes, they have one), and get on court for exactly forty-five minutes. By the time I’m done, I’ve sweated out the day’s nonsense, and my brain has reset completely.

Squash & Tennis Club - The Rec Trust

My friend Sarah joined last month because she wanted “something different” from the treadmill. Now she texts me memes about squash injuries. That’s the community: a bunch of regular people who found a hobby that doesn’t feel like homework.

How to start (without overthinking it)

Don’t go buy expensive gear. Borrow a racket from the club. Wear trainers you don’t mind scuffing. Turn up on a Thursday evening for the “social mix-in” where everyone plays everyone. Someone will offer you a cup of tea afterwards, and you’ll realise you’ve joined something without any awkward sales pitch.

One last thing: the changing rooms have a broken hairdryer. It’s been broken for about six months. Nobody cares. We’re all too busy laughing about the shot we almost pulled off. And that’s exactly why this place works—it’s not perfect, but it’s wonderfully, warmly, very much yours.