Blaby Bowling Club

Blaby Bowling Club sits just outside Leicester, a proper community spot where locals have been rolling bowls for decades. It's the sort of place that won't blow your mind with flash facilities, but if you fancy an afternoon of lawn bowls - the traditional kind, not tenpin - it's worth ringing ahead to see if they'll let you have a go.

Lawn bowls is one of those sports that looks deceptively simple until you actually try it. The bias in the bowls, the reading of the green, the tactics of positioning - it genuinely requires skill. You'll spot regulars who've been playing for years, moving around the greens with an ease that comes from thousands of hours' practice.

It's best suited to adults or older teenagers with genuine interest in the sport rather than families looking for a quick activity. Most clubs welcome visitors, though you'll need to check their current membership policy and probably book in advance. Expect to spend two to three hours for a proper game.

If you're based at Green Acres or one of the other caravan parks within striking distance - The Paddocks is just over five miles away - and you're tired of the usual holiday activities, this offers something genuinely different. Leicester itself has plenty to occupy you otherwise, but Blaby works as a quirky afternoon diversion if lawn bowls appeals. Ring them to confirm they take casual players; don't just turn up expecting a warm welcome.