Western Skittles - Pubs & Leagues

Western Skittles Leagues

As at October 2024, Dave Quinn has taken over the data gathering for this page and produced this remarkable map giving all the league locations of all types of skittles in England. Those in blue represent Western Skittles including the Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and Welsh styles in all their variations. Click the "slider" symbol in the top left to toggle the key and use your mouse scroller to zoom in and out.

And here is the source data for the map - the following sheet gives loads of details and links to all the Western skittle alleys that we've identified to date...

Snippets of additional information for Western Skittles Leagues

Berkeley and District Skittles League 112 teams in 7 divisions.

Bideford and District Skittles League, North Devon. Been going since 1930's and at its peak had 130 teams of six male players. It stretches from Bradworthy to Lovacott taking in Torrington and Instow on the way. Due to covid, it now has only 62 teams. Play with 10 inch Gloucester style pins with 5 inch rubber balls (submitted Stephen Schiller, Secretary, March 2024)

Bristol North West Skittles League, Somerset. The largest in the Bristol area (submitted John Gilvear, March 2024).

Coventry Nine Pin Skittle League. They play in a room with five alleys! (submitted John Penny May 2019).

Hereford & District Invitation Skittle League founded in 1902 and with over a thousand players in seventy teams playing the Welsh game.

Pill and Portishead District League. 2 divisions, each consisting of 13 teams including The Royal Oak, West Hill, Portishead. (Jan 2002)

Street & District Skittle LeagueThe Street league goes from Street to Glastonbury and surrounding villages and is still very active with 4 divisions (reported by Andrew Jones Nov 2023).

May 2022: Following repeated blows to the pub industry including the Covid pandemic, Alan Cale reports the heartening news that there are currently 118 teams in the Gloucester City League, 75 in the Gloucester Charity League and 44 teams in the Gloucester Ladies League. In Cheltenham there are 94 teams in the men’s league and 46 in the women’s league. In Stroud there are 49 teams and a further 14 teams in Nailsworth. There are 47 teams in Tewkesbury. In his opinion, at least three quarters of teams bring own their own balls rather than using those in the alley.

Inter-League Skittles Organisations, Competitions and Events

The 'Jubilee cup' is played between 5 local leagues.  Yeovil Sports, Yeovil men's, Yeovil ladies, Sherborne men's and Sherborne ladies.  It was started in 1977 and is 5 a side played over 5 games on two different alleys during the season.  It was 6 a side when it started but reduced to 5 as it took all night - John Penny Nov 2018

The British Skittles Championships is apparently the largest skittles championship in the country (and therefore, the world). It is run by "Serious About Events" and is a very large affair indeed

Other Pubs with Western Skittle Alleys

Anchor Inn, Diglis, Worcester.
The Star Inn, Ashton under hill, Evesham, Worcestershire 01386-811325 (submitted John Crowther, Feb 2000)
The Bull, Risley, Near Reading, Berkshire (submitted Ian Bradley, Oct 2000)
The Plough, East Stratton, Near Basingstoke, Hampshire (submitted Ian Bradley, Oct 2000)
The Jolly Miller, North Warnborough, Hampshire (submitted Ian Bradley, Oct 2000)
The Half Moon, Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, Nr Yeovil, Somerset (submitted Richard Feltham, Nov 2000)
The Royal George, West Coker, Nr Yeovil (submitted Matthew Butler, Dec 2000)
Ring of Bells, Norton Fitzwarren, Near Taunton in Somerset (submitted David Lowe, Dec 2000)
Black Horse, Taunton, Somerset (submitted David Lowe, Dec 2000)
Dog & Partridge, Risely, Hampshire (submitted Ian Bradley, Feb 2001)
The Seven Stars, Bath Road, Knowl Hill, Berkshire (submitted Ian Eeles, June 2001)
Winchester Arms, Trull, near Taunton (submitted 'Steve', July 2001)
The Phelips Arms The Borough Montacute Somerset (submitted Aug, 2001, Nicola.J.Forster)
The Belvoir Castle, Bath, Somerset (submitted Nov 2001, Bill Letts)
The Miners Arms, Whitecroft, Gloucestershire, GL15 4PE (submitted Elaine Grief, March 2002)
Victoria Hotel, Dagmar Road, Dorchester, Dorset (submitted Mike Thomas, Nov 2001)
The Swan Inn at Stoford, Nr Salisbury, Wilts SP2 OPR, Feb 2002
The Fountain, Ashhurst in West Sussex

Pubs and Clubs with skittle alleys in use within Leagues around Yeovil, from John Penny, last updated Oct 2024. (Number of alleys at each location in brackets):

• Yellow Wagtail (2)
• Old Barn Club (2)
• Johnson Park Club (2)
• Labour Club (2)
• GWRSA (Great Western Railway Staff Association)
• Beehive
• Con Club
• The Armoury
• Royal Oak (Stoford)
• Rose and Crown (Bradford Abbas)
• Inn The Square, (West Coker)
• Great Lyde Inn
• Griffins Head, (Nether Compton)
• Hungry Horse (Formerly 'The Bell Inn')
• Royal Marine
• Bull Inn (Ilchester)
• Y.E.S. Club (Formerly 'British Legion' - Yeovil Ex-Servicemen)
• R.O.A.B. Club
• 94 Club
• Marston Inn (Marston Magna)
• Royal Oak (Hardington)
• Bradford Abbas Sports Club (Bradford Abbas)
• Royal Standard Inn
• The Helyar Arms (East Coker)
• The Mildmay Arms (Queen Camel)
• Tintinhull Working Mens Club (Tintinhull) (2 alleys)
• Chilthorne Recreation Club (Chilthorne Domer)
• Kings Arms (Thornford)

Skittles Teams

The West Bay Skittles Club. Started in 1909 and as at 2015 has had only 6 chairmen. (Yarn Magazine Oct, 2015)

ABM Skittles Team playing at Wallingford Sports Park in Oxfordshire.

Dirty Dozen Skittles Team Welsh Skittles at the Llanbradach Workmens Club, Llanbradach, Caerphilly South Wales)

The Pillarmen (from South of the Gloucester City Skittles League).

The Tattibogoes team of the Hereford and District Skittles League