Brookfield Bowling & Social Club

Ten-pin bowling isn't everyone's idea of a night out, but Brookfield Bowling & Social Club in Leicester does it properly. The lanes are straightforward - nothing fancy, nothing pretentious - and that's rather the point. You turn up, grab some bowling shoes that have seen better days, and get on with it. The place works well for families wanting something other than the usual park activities, and for groups of mates after an evening that doesn't require much planning.

It's the sort of spot that benefits from low expectations. The social club aspect means there's a proper bar - actual humans behind it, not just a vending machine - which elevates it beyond your standard leisure centre operation. Expect to pay a reasonable rate per game, though exact pricing changes seasonally so ring ahead. Most people get decent value from two to three games before the novelty settles down, so plan for a ninety-minute visit if you're serious about it.

If you're based at Fox's Furrow or Village Farm Getaway - both excellent caravan sites just five miles away - this makes a solid rainy-day option. It won't replace a proper walk round Bradgate Park, but paired with one of Leicester's decent restaurants it fills an evening nicely. The city itself sits on your doorstep, so you're not isolating yourself by staying at either park. Go on a weekday evening if you can; weekends draw the teenage crowds and things get a bit frantic.