Bath’s long-standing passion for tennis takes centre stage this summer in a new exhibition at the Museum of Bath at Work, revealing the city’s unique role in shaping the sport from its Georgian roots to today.
A wide range of displays will illustrate the development of the game from Real to Lawn tennis, including unique tennis trophies, early rackets, original costumes, tennis balls and manufacturing equipment, games and toys inspired by the sport along with historic photographs.
Running from 12 June to 31 October, From Indoors to Outdoors explores the sport’s rise in the city, from Georgian Real Tennis to modern-day innovations like Padel and Pickleball. The exhibition is particularly at home in its venue: the museum is housed in a former Real Tennis court, built in 1777 by Richard Scrace. A new visitor trail highlights surviving features from its original purpose, bringing the space’s rich sporting past to life.
While Real Tennis was once the preserve of the elite, it was Lawn Tennis, introduced in the 1870s, that truly captured the city’s imagination. Bath quickly embraced the game, and by the 1880s it had become a city-wide obsession, especially among women. Central to this story is the West of England Lawn Tennis Tournament, held at Lansdown Cricket Club from 1881 to 1895, part of the hugely popular Bath Tennis Week. One of the first major tournaments to include women, it attracted large crowds and international players – a kind of pre-Wimbledon proving ground.
Ann Sumner, trustee of the Museum of Bath at Work and curator of the exhibition, has long associations with Bath Tennis Club, which has been part of this story since its founding in 1880. “I have played tennis in Bath since I was seven years old, am a huge Lawn Tennis fan, and an art historian who specialises in tennis art. However, I was not aware of the breadth of tennis heritage in my home city until undertaking research with my colleagues June Hannam and Sara Frears, for this groundbreaking exhibition.
Ann continues, “During our research I’ve learnt so much about the West of England Tournament. I was fascinated to discover that the young Lottie Dod won the ladies singles title at the West of England Championships in Bath in 1886 where in a memorable final she beat Maud Watson, the reigning Wimbledon champion, and went on to win Wimbledon five times, the first one when she was only 15 in 1887. She remains the youngest ladies’ singles champion.
While male champions received the ornate Bath Cup, women were typically awarded tea services. An intricately decorated silver trophy, the Bath Cup itself will be displayed for the first time since 1980. Notable winners of the cup include James Dwight, the American known as the father of US tenni
Bath’s tennis story isn’t just about famous names – it’s about community. By the early 20th century, clubs had sprung up all over the city, from Combe Down to Southdown and Oldfield to Weston, and public courts were available in places such as Sydney Gardens, as well as at the Recreation Ground for practice and tournaments. It was a far more progressive sport than you might imagine. Clubs were organised by local employers such as department store Jolly’s and the engineering company Stothert and Pitt, as well as churches, schools and political parties.
One exhibition highlight is a display of historic women’s tenniswear, charting changes in clothing from the 1880s through to the 1960s. These illustrate how until the 1920s women were expected to wear corsets under their long and cumbersome clothing including hats and high heels, which restricted movement and sometimes even caused injury. Bayer made various sports corsets for riding, cycling and tennis, which were slightly shorter and gave a little more freedom of movement. Skirts were shortened after World War I, with more loose-fitting outfits in the 1930s, flatter more comfortable footwear and a growing enthusiasm for tennis jewellery.
Charles Bayer & Co. Ltd Corset manufacturer was established in the late 19th century in Bath by a German immigrant and the 1892 red brick building still stands beside the river on the Lower Bristol Road, and claims to be England’s first corset factory. An example of a sports corset made by them shows the evolution of women’s athletic wear. Bayer’s corsets, slightly shorter than everyday versions, offered a rare hint of flexibility for active women. The exhibition also features a 1960s Teddy Tinling dress – a bold shift to short skirts and sleeveless tops that signalled the arrival of truly modern tennis fashion.
The region’s role in tennis manufacturing is also explored. Both Spencer Moulton and Rex Rubber made tennis balls in nearby Bradford on Avon. While these companies are no more, this tradition will be celebrated with loans from Price of Bath, established in 1936, and now the UK’s only surviving tennis ball makers. Displays consider how tennis ball manufacture has developed over the years, their production today and the innovations developed by Price of Bath such as the Mini Red Tennis Ball 75 for junior players.
The exhibition will be brought up to the present day with information about Team Bath Tennis at Bath University, its contributions during the 1990s, the opening of the LTA Tennis Academy by Tim Henman in 2003 and the hosting of the Fed Cup in 2019. It will conclude by looking at the rising popularity of Padel and Pickleball. (Padel is played on a smaller, enclosed court with walls, while pickleball is played on an open court similar to a badminton court.)
A programme of events will include lectures, in conversations, film screenings, a historic tennis match re-enactment, Heritage Day events with the tennis clubs, family activities including a children’s tennis trail and a section of the exhibition dedicated to games inspired by tennis. Meanwhile, Bath Tennis Club will host a Strawberries and Cream Festival on Sunday 6 July as part of its Wimbledon Weekend celebrations.
The Bristol Real Tennis Club, Bath Tennis Club, Lansdown Tennis Squash and Croquet Club, Bloomfield Tennis Club, Price of Bath and generous private collectors have all supported the exhibition. Richard Turpin, Chair of Trustees at The Museum of Bath at Work says, “All our partners and collectors have lent so generously to help us tell this fascinating story for the first time, recognising that people will want to engage with our city’s rich tennis heritage, and we are so grateful to them. The fact is that you don’t have to be a tennis enthusiast to enjoy the breadth of social history illustrated through original loans and insightful interpretation in this exhibition – there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this fascinating hidden history of Bath.”
museumofbath.org; bathtc.co.uk