Tenpin bowling in Gloucestershire

Strike it lucky at one of Gloucestershire's top tenpin bowling alleys, with three to choose from across the county.

The bowling alley, with its battered two-tone shoes and sound of balls being hurled a hundred miles an hour before ‘strike’ scrolls across the scoreboard – or sinks into the gutter – is a place that everybody should experience.

With a trio of choices in the county, whether you want to show-off a competitive streak in front of your friends or you’re looking for a family activity that isn’t going to bore one of your brood to tears; tenpin bowling achieves a pretty good score on both accounts.

With 26-lanes of illuminated-alley action available in this popular centre, Tenpin in Gloucester pulls in players of all ages and abilities. Cosmic bowling, with its glow-in-the-dark pins, illuminated alleys and pumping pop music courtesy of the resident DJ, is a teen crowd pleaser held every Thursday and Sunday from 7pm. Tuesday evenings sees students’ night with discounted games and drinks promotions attributed to NUS card-carriers. While Saturday afternoon sees an influx of pint-sized players lined-up to take their next bowl. Tenpin is open until 12-midnight every night of the week, offers a licensed bar, a diner-style restaurant, as well as air-hockey, arcade machines and pool tables. One game will set you back £5.50 for adults and £4.50 for the under 16s, not including shoe hire.

The 24-lane Cotswold Bowl in Cheltenham is second home to some seriously good tenpin bowlers. Hosting more than ten leagues for individuals and teams to compete in (details of which are all pinned-up on the notice boards), as well as an on-site pro shop, Cotswold Bowl is the perfect place for players who want to take the game a little more seriously – and those who want to get their hands on an embroidered shirt and personalised ball. Serious sportsmanship aside, there is also glow bowling on weekends, a licensed bar and a selection of arcade machines. One game will set you back £4.25 on evenings and weekends for both children and adults, while daytime games on weekdays costs £2.75 a time, not including shoe hire.

Situated in Stroud’s Merrywalks Shopping Centre, Bowling International is surrounded by a cinema, numerous bars and cafés, not to mention shops galore, making it a prime venue for pleasure-seeking kids of all ages. There are 16-alleys for tenpin action and a selection of arcade games if you’re better at shooting aliens than knocking down pins. Children are well-catered for – accompanied by parents who can barely hide the embarrassment of being beaten by their kids – with parties proving particularly popular and discounted games being offered during the school holidays. One game will set you back £4.25 for adults and £3.25 for children during evenings and weekends, while during the day a game will cost adults £2.95 and children £1.95, not including shoe hire.

With three choices of tenpin tempting you in Gloucestershire, your nearest game need never be far away, so don the two-tones and book your lane now.

Michelle Byrne
May 19 2007