Buxton has a long history of lawn tennis tournaments. In a 2018 museum article, Ben Jones explored the claim that championships started here and described local researcher Jek Jacob’s book White Lines.

Historic photograph of tennis players on grass courts in Buxton
Tennis in a long dress in Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, late 1800s. Photo credit: Buxton Museum & Art Gallery.

In the late 1800s Buxton was a popular spa resort, and visitors took part in the growing sport of lawn tennis. A tournament was established in Buxton by 1880; Wimbledon’s first Championships had taken place in 1877. Buxton’s tournament continued well into the 20th century.

Historic photograph of a tennis prize being presented
The museum identifies this photograph as Field Marshal Lord Roberts presenting a cup to Mrs Larcombe in Buxton in 1913. Photo credit: Buxton Museum & Art Gallery.

Buxton’s tournament included men’s and women’s competitions, including the All England Ladies’ Doubles. In its 2018 article, Buxton Museum described a vanity set on display in its 125th anniversary exhibition. It said the set was awarded as a women’s tournament prize between 1900 and 1905 and gifted to the museum in 2015. The museum now has a temporary home next to Buxton Library.

A vanity set with silver-coloured containers and a mirror

Historic view of tennis courts and Buxton
Lawn tennis courts in Pavilion Gardens, Buxton in 1929. Photo credit: Buxton Museum & Art Gallery.

The museum’s 2018 account described former courts in Pavilion Gardens, Ashwood Park, schools and hotels, as well as a Fairfield Tennis Club. Historic maps and photographs offer a record of some of those courts.

With special thanks to Jek Jacob.

Ben Jones, Buxton Museum & Art Gallery