Bowling Near Me

Here are amusement arcades and entertainment venues across the UK that have ten-pin bowling near you. Check our listings to find a bowling alley with full-size lanes!

What is ten-pin bowling?

Ten-pin bowling is a popular recreational sport where players roll a heavy ball down a long, smooth lane towards ten pins arranged in a triangular formation at the end of the lane. The goal is to knock down as many pins as possible with each roll. Players take turns rolling the ball, with each player having two rolls per go, except for when they knock down all ten pins on the first roll (a strike). The game is typically played over a set number of frames, usually ten, and the player with the most points, earned by knocking down pins, wins. It is commonly played in ten-pin bowling alleys with electronic scoring and ball return systems. Many seaside piers and larger amusement arcades feature ten-pin bowling, while many larger entertainment complexes include bowling alongside arcades.

Why is ten-pin bowling so popular?

Ten-pin bowling is popular in the UK for several reasons:

Accessibility - It's easy to get into, with simple rules that can be understood by all ages and skill levels. Beginners and pros can play together.
Social Activity - It's a fun, social activity that can be enjoyed with friends, family, or even as part of a team. Great fun with friendly competition.
Indoor Fun - As an indoor activity, it’s popular year-round, offering a great way to have fun and also do light exercise, regardless of the weather outside.
Entertainment Variety - Many alleys are part of wider entertainment venues offering food, drinks and amusement arcades, perfect for a day trip or night out.

Where can I find ten-pin bowling near me?

Whilst there are many ten-pin bowling alley chain venues in the UK including Hollywood Bowl and Ten Pin, there are also many fantastic independent ten-pin bowling venues near you. Many of these are located at seaside piers and within (or as part of) amusement arcades. Check out the listings above to find them across the UK. Here are some stand-out venues. Blackpool Bowl is a great venue with a small arcade. Skegness Pier Arcade has a full-size bowling alley and there is also one located in the Empire Bowl Arcade. Wellington Pier Arcade has a bowling in the rear building nearest the sea. The Pavilion Bowl Arcade also has a lovely bowling alley as part of the complex and lastly, the Electric Avenue Arcade in Southend has a bowling alley on its upper floor.