With players back on the courts at Wimbledon, we've taken a look at the tennis items we care for, and the places you can pick up a racket and have a go yourself.
There‘s a vintage tennis court tucked away behind a tall hedge, that the Lyle family used back in their day. The nets are up and the rackets and balls are all ready for a game.
We care for one of the world’s largest art and heritage collections. With close to one million objects they can give a glimpse into the lives, or games, of the past.
This dress circa 1937 is made of linen. It's buttons were stitched on by hand in 1985. It's part of the Killerton costume collection, though not currently on show it can be explored online.
This racquet is in the collection at Kingston Lacy (though not on show). It's a wooden oval tennis racquet in a press which has R. Bankes marked on it, who left the Kingston Lacy estate to the National Trust.
Made of wool in 1936, these tennis trousers are also part of the Killerton costume collection. They were made by Smith and Smith, 8 West Street, Bridport.
This orange and black cardboard box of Dunlop tennis balls is part of the Tyntesfield collection. Printed on the side a label reads 'LTA official balls have passed the tests required by No. 3 of the rules of lawn tennis and are authorised by the lawn tennis association for use in championships, tournaments and matched in Great Britain for the year 1949. Price 27/4 per doz. inclusive of purchase tax.'
