Club History

Clifton Lawn Tennis Club was founded in 1882 and the courts were built on land owned by the local railway company. The company wanted to extend the line from Clifton Down station out to Avonmouth docks and a tunnel was driven underneath the land on which the Club now stands.

At the start of the Inter County Championship the Gloucestershire Men's County Team were champions from 1895 to 1897 and all the team were from Clifton. They won the titles playing the Gloucestershire game which was played entirely from the baseline. In its early days Clifton members won several Wimbledon titles and others were Wimbledon finalists. In more recent times one of our members, Frew McMillan won many Grand Slam titles, before turning his hand to commentating.

In 1971 the Club raised, amongst its members, sufficient funds to purchase the land from British Railways and the clubhouse was built in 1973 designed by a member.

Between 1983 and the early 1990s new courts and new surfaces were laid. Floodlights were installed on two courts in 1983 and on another two in 1988.

The Club is thriving and attracting new members as well as catering for its existing membership.