Outdoor Bowling Clubs
Within 10-15 minutes of Bournemouth town centre there are many outdoor bowling clubs. These are listed below together with our summary of each club based on our unofficial guide entirely based on ‘what we’ve overheard in the bar’ :
- Argyll Bowling Club, Westbourne – one of the closest clubs to the Whitehall and Arlington Hotels. Amazing location on the West Cliff overlooking the entire Poole bay. Two greens, cafe and bar, friendly bowlers, great hosts.
- Bournemouth Bowling Club at Meyrick Park – very close to the Whitehall and Arlington Hotels in the town centre just behind the Town Hall. The headquarters for the Bournemouth Open Bowls Tournament with two greens (one much praised the other less so). Friendly club, beautiful setting surrounded by old trees and rhododendrons, nice cafe and bar (great ice cream).
- Kings Park Bowling Club – set in the centre of Kings Park. Directly opposite the football ground (Bournemouth AFC) close to Bournemouth Indoor Bowling Centre also in Kings Park. Well maintained green, friendly bowlers, fine teas.
- Knyveton Gardens Bowling Club – an extremely welcoming and sociable club – beware of their hospitality (club doubles have been used to weaken the opposition!) Not many ladies at the club – so mixed matches are not usually very mixed. Competitive and successful club. The Pavilion has a great cafe, bar and south-facing sun terrace. Two greens although the second one is not often used.
- Southbourne Bowling Club – we hear so much positive feedback about this club. They have two greens which are praised; the bowlers are welcoming and friendly and the bowls is exciting and good-natured.
- Boscombe Cliff Bowling Club – probably the most competitive club in the area. Home to some very serious and successful bowlers. Well deserved winners of the silverware in the local leagues. Good facilities on the one green located on the cliff top on the East Cliff.
- Bournemouth Electric Bowling Club – founded in 1936. Situated a couple of miles north west of Bournemouth (in the Charminster and Castle Lane area).
- Richmond Park Bowling Club – the home of the Bournemouth and District Bowling Association. Just a couple of miles north of the town centre in Bournemouth in an attractive setting.
- Pelhams Bowling Club – located in Kinson (around 5 miles north of Bournemouth town centre) this is one of the prettiest greens in the area. With an excellent pavilion, beautiful flower filled grounds and welcoming bowlers … and a new website for 2011 which is very professional.
- Moordown Bowling Club – home of the Bournemouth Open Bowls Tournament Ladies Finals. Around 3 miles north of Bournemouth town centre. You won’t find a more friendly bowls club. With a pretty setting, excellent teas and welcoming bowlers – what more could you want for a friendly bowls match?
- Swanmore Gardens Bowling Club – tucked away between Southbourne and Kings Park this is a pretty setting. A single green with a pleasant pavilion and bowlers keen to play friendly matches.
- Redhill Park Bowling Club – situated just to the north of Bournemouth quite near to the University. The club is in an attractive setting in a community park and the bowlers are friendly.
A little further afield (20-50 minutes away) there are also:
- Poole Park Bowling Club - in a beautiful setting overlooking the boating lake and Poole harbour. Only around 5 miles to the west of Bournemouth the club has two excellent greens, an attractive pavilion and plenty of parking. You are sure to receive a warm welcome.
- Christchurch Bowling Club – a lovely green in an historic setting close to Christchurch Priory and the harbour.
- Braeside Bowling Club – in St. Leonards about 10 miles north of Bournemouth. Offering all year round bowling on its artificial bowling green surface. With its spacious and comfortable club house Braeside are pleased to welcome visitors. Great website too – worth a look!
- Ringwood Bowling Club – close to the town centre of this historic market town around 10 miles north of Bournemouth.
- Ferndown Bowling Club – situated around 5 miles north of Bournemouth. This club is based at the King George V Playing Fields.
- Dorchester Bowling Club – the home of Bowls Dorset HQ, they pride themselves on giving a warm welcome to visitors. The club celebrated its centenary in 2006 and from its modern premises on the edge of the town it offers a pleasant outdoor green with sun terrace as well as a 6 rink indoor bowls facility.
- Fordingbridge Bowling Club – in the New Forest (approx. 20 miles north east of Bournemouth) this club will give you a warm welcome and a competitive and sociable bowls match. They also play short mat bowls during the winter.
- Milford on Sea Bowling Club – situated on the seafront overlooking the Isle of Wight. The club was founded in 1933 and “exists for the happiness of its members” – they are happy all year round as they play short mat bowls at the club in the winter.
- New Milton Bowling Club – Situated between Bournemouth and Southampton – just one mile from the New Forest and the cliff top at Barton On Sea. The club is close to the town centre in the Memorial Recreation Ground. It has two greens (each with six rinks) and a large modern clubhouse.
- Lymington Bowling Club – a friendly outdoor club located in the centre of the picturesque town on Lymington. Around 15 miles to the east of Bournemouth (past Christchurch).
- West Moors Memorial Bowling Club – situated around 10 miles in-land from Bournemouth. Known for its excellent green and clubhouse. Very keen to host friendly matches – you will get a warm welcome. There is also a competitive and sociable Short Mat Bowls Club (2 mats in the West Moors Memorial Hall).
- Wimborne Bowling Club – a friendly club started in 1908. Situated around 7 miles north of Bournemouth close to the picturesque town centre of Wimborne with its famous Minster and model village. There is a modern club house but parking is difficult with a coach (bowlers usually have to be dropped off nearby).
- Swanage Bowling Club – a friendly club in a lovely seaside location. Swanage is situated to the west of Bournemouth – this makes a lovely day out with a journey on the Swanage ferry from Sandbanks.
- Broadstone Wessex Bowling Club – a very popular club with our touring bowlers. They get a warm welcome, enjoy the beautiful surroundings (frequent winner of Poole in Bloom) and sociable bowls. Located to the north west of Bournemouth (inland from Poole), the club offers up to 8 rinks for outdoor bowls as well as short mat bowls in the winter.
- Branksome Park Bowling Club – between Bournemouth and Poole near the well known area of Canford Cliffs. The club has six rinks in a very attractive setting of trees, flowers and bushes and an eye-catching pavilion. A friendly club and a great website (go and see!)
- Alexandra Park Bowling Club is in Parkstone which is between Bournemouth and Poole.
- Waterside Bowls Club in Fawley – formerly the Esso Refinery Sports & Social club. Wonderful club facilities including two bowling greens and a clubhouse. Not a member of the Bournemouth & District Bowling Association but an excellent venue on the way to Southampton.
- Verwood Bowling Club is situated close to the Hampshire – Dorset border. It is 12 miles north of Bournemouth. The bowls club celebrated its 90th anniverary in 2010.
- Highcliffe Bowling Club – is situated in a local nature reserve so bowling is a peaceful except for the ducks, woodpeckers and other birds joining in. Approx. 5 miles to the eat of Bournemouth (past Christchurch). A popular club with one green and a nice pavilion.
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