Ventnor Bowling Club

Two flat greens perched above the old Victorian seaside town provide a surprisingly pleasant diversion from the usual beach routine. The club welcomes visitors during set hours through the summer months, and while the slope down into Ventnor proper offers lovely sea views, it's the companionable atmosphere here that makes it special.

Bowls might seem like a retirement pastime, but families often find it's one of those rare activities where grandparents can genuinely compete with teenagers. The club runs informal coaching sessions, and watching someone master the peculiar curved trajectory of a proper bowl provides more entertainment than you'd expect.

Open Monday to Saturday with morning and afternoon sessions, the club charges a modest fee for visitors - though the exact amount isn't advertised online. Allow a couple of hours if you're genuinely having a go, or pop by for a quick look if you're just curious. The greens close during winter months, so it's strictly a warm-weather option.

For those staying at nearby parks like Appuldurcombe Gardens or the Parkdean sites at Lower Hyde and Landguard, it makes a decent wet-weather backup when the beach loses its appeal. The walk down into Ventnor afterwards for fish and chips feels well earned, especially if you've managed to keep your bowls somewhere near the jack.