In England, "bowling" can mean two quite different things: ten-pin bowling indoors, or lawn bowls (usually just called "bowls") played outdoors on a flat green. Bath has both.
Ten-pin bowling in Bath
The city-center option is the tenpin bowling at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre, run by Better (GLL) for the council, next to the river near the Recreation Ground. It's a small, local alley rather than a big entertainment complex, which makes it handy for families, students and groups who want a game without travelling out of town.
- Book online or by phone, especially for weekends and school holidays.
- Bumpers and lighter balls are available for children.
- Larger chain bowling venues are in the surrounding area and in Bristol, about 15 minutes away by train.
Lawn bowls in Bath
Bath also has lawn bowls clubs, where members play on carefully kept grass greens from spring to early autumn. Many clubs welcome beginners, run taster sessions and lend bowls. If that's the kind of bowling you meant, our lawn bowling guide explains the game and how to pick bowls.
Opening times and booking rules change, so check with the leisure centre or club directly before you go.
Ten-pin vs bowls
Ten-pin is about knocking down pins with a heavy ball on an oiled lane. Lawn bowls is about rolling weighted, slightly lopsided bowls as close as possible to a small white "jack." See what "bowling" means for the full rundown.