Nottingham Open

Nottingham might be British tennis' best-kept secret. It's the biggest tournament outside the south of England (and yes, the North/South divide is VERY real), which makes it the one to get to if London is a long way to go. If you're a tennis fan from the Midlands or the North, this is well worth a day out.

This tournament means business, but in a good way. At its heart it's about promoting tennis, not just by letting you watch the professionals show how it's done, but by giving you a clear chance to have a go yourself. There are tennis courts everywhere: blue hard courts, a mini-tennis court, even Padel. There are some sponsor-driven activities, but they're far fewer and more hidden than somewhere like Queen's Club. Tennis is very much the focus.

Families aren't just welcome, they're encouraged. Kids are out in force in the stands and on the 'have-a-go' courts, where you can grab a racquet and balls for £5. And they aren't causing any distractions, they're gripped by the tennis just as much as the grown-ups. Part of why it's such a popular family day out: children aged 16 and under get free entry on a grounds pass.

Nottingham shows off its prestige too, with a 'winners walk' down the centre of the grounds proudly displaying the past winners of the decade. The white marquees synonymous with every small British tournament are present, but they aren't the centrepiece by necessity. There's a sense of permanence here that I think only Wimbledon can outdo. Set in the grounds of the Nottingham Tennis Centre, one of the LTA's biggest hubs and training grounds, you can feel that this whole place lives and breathes the sport all year round.

We don't recommend driving unless you have an access need. Parking is tiny, has to be booked well in advance, and goes quickly, and there's nowhere nearby to leave a car.

Tickets are sold through the LTA website, the same as every tournament outside Wimbledon. An Advantage Membership gets you early access before the general sale. It's an affordable day out: Centre Court runs £14 to £40 across the week, with £40 buying a good seat for the final, and grounds passes go from about £18 early on down to £10 by the finals.

Here's the magic: you can watch from almost anywhere. Unlike most tournaments where standing on the walkways is impossible or quietly discouraged, Nottingham is set up so you can take in any match from nearly any spot. Even Centre Court has gaps where you can stand and watch.

Courts 3 and 4 run along the walkways with a few fold-out chairs, but most people stand and the paths are wide enough that everyone keeps moving. Leave your seat and there's usually still space when you come back. It's far more relaxed than the frantic feel of Wimbledon or Queens.

One of Nottingham's best features is just how close it brings you to the tennis. The practice courts are very easy to reach and have great visibility, all lined up so anyone can stand and watch. If a Centre Court ticket isn't in the cards, this is a brilliant, low-cost way to see the top players up close as they warm up and drill. It's a world away from somewhere like Wimbledon, where practice access is tightly limited.

Player spotting here is genuinely easy, which is rare. You'll see kids wandering around with tennis balls, trying to stop as many players as they can near the practice courts or as they walk back from matches for a signature.

Centre Court sits right next to the locker room, so players have to cross the public path to get in and out. They close it off when someone is walking on or off, which gives you a great chance to see them up close and maybe grab an autograph.

The organisers also run Fan Q&As, bringing players to the fan village to answer questions from ticket holders, not journalists. For getting close to the players, few tournaments make it this easy.

You can bring your own food and drink, which is handy because the on-site street food is fairly limited. As always, pack a reusable water bottle. There are a few refill stations, though they're tucked away in out-of-the-way spots.

It's Britain in June, so plan for all four seasons in one day. Tap each one as you sort it.

• A raincoat AND sunscreen. You will likely need both.
• A reusable water bottle. Refill stations are around, but tucked out of the way.
• Your own snacks. Bringing food in is allowed, and on-site options are limited.
• A shade plan. Cover is limited to the fan village marquee, the underpass beneath Centre Court, and a few trees in the corner.