Northamptonshire/Bar Table Skittles, Pubs/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. To focus on Table Skittles and Bar Skittles, click the "slider" symbol in the top left and deselect the blue Western skittles. On a PC, 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 Table skittles and Bar Skittles leagues that we've identified to date...

Daddlums

A Kentish game that had been thought extinct but one last pub still hangs on. A couple of other pubs from other areas have acquired a table in more recent times.

The Jolly Drayman, Fairseat, Gravesend, Kent
The Orange Tree, Baldock, Bedfordshire had a Daddlums table in 2014 but it appeared to be set out more as a fun thing for children, and not sure if still exists

Leicestershire Table Skittles

The Bull's Head, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire

Charnwood Forest Table Skittles League This is a Leicestershire Table Skittles league but not sure it still exists.

Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire Table Skittles

This version of table skittles has dwindled and the Cambridgeshire league is a precious flame still burning.

Cambridge & District Skittle League Operative since 1930 and games seem to start being played in 1929. The Cambridge game is similar to Northants skittles but without the hood and only one cheese used. (submitted James Wells, Dec 2023).

The Luton and District Skittles League was almost certainly the most southerly table skittles league but I don't think it exists any longer.

Gayton & District Skittles League from 2017/2018 Season list found on wall at The George, Tiffield (nr. Towcester)

Eykyn Arms, Gayton
The George, Tiffield
Sun Inn, Heyford
The Compass, Milton Malsor
Wooden Walls, Collingtree
The Bull, Harpole
Bakers Arms, Bugbrooke
The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne
Royal India, Fosters Booth
Drunken Duck, Kislingbury
The Mill, Towecester
Eastcote Arms, Eastcote
Olde Red Lion, Litchborough
TSSC, Towcester

Northants Ladies Skittles League (updated Cheryl Morgan Sep 2005, website disappeared Oct 2017, not sure if still exists?)
Athletic A
Athletic B
Midland A
Midland B
Argyll
Burton Brit
Thorpe Malsor
Rothwell Cons
Windmill A
Windmill B
Sun Inn
Broughton
Desborough Services
Kettering Town Football Club
Benels A
Benels B
Duke - Burton Latimer
East Carlton Cricket Club

Islip & District Skittles League (John "Rolly" Mills Nov 2001)
Fox Inn, Thrapston
George Inn, Oundle
Kings Head, Wadenhoe
Dog & Partridge, Titchmarsh
New Inn, Ringstead
Cross Keys, Molesworth
Hare & Hounds, Great Addington
Raunds Woodbine WMC
Raunds Conservative club
Swan Inn, Old Weston
Ringstead WMC
Islip WMC
Five Bells Riseley
Three Compasses, Upper Dean
Crows Nest, Irthlingborough
Woodford WMC
Crossleys, Molesworth
Warmington Social Club
Rose & Crown, Islip
Cock Inn, Denford
White Horse, Woodford
Old Three Cocks, Brigstock
Dukes Arms Woodford
Shuckburgh Arms, Stoke Doyle
Dolren Arms, Finedon

Rugby & District Skittles League. 5 leagues of 12 teams each, representing over 40 pubs and clubs from Rugby and the surrounding villages (submitted April 2005, Tony Woodhouse)

Ouse Valley Skittles League (submitted by Mark Shirley, April 2020) and featuring the following teams:

Carlton Club, Olney
The Cock (2 teams)
The Fox
The Horseshoe
Oakley Arms
The Old Mill (2 teams)
The Robin Hood
Royal George
Sun Inn
Thurleigh Club

Beds and Roberts Skittle League which is primarily in and South East of Bedford and features the following teams at April 2020:

Kempston Limited (31 Brunel Rd, Bedford MK41 9TJ)
The Guinea (Bedford Rd, Moggerhanger, Bedford MK44 3RG)
Polhill Arms (2 teams) (25 Wilden Rd, Renhold, Bedford MK41 0JP)
Ivy Leaf Club (Station Rd, Langford, Biggleswade SG18 9PE)
The Bell (not sure which one?)
Hammers Club (Kempston Hammers Sports & Social Club, 134 High St, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7BN )
Meltis Club (2 teams) (Meltis Sports & Social Club, Miller Rd, Bedford, MK42 9NY
Russell Park Club (Bedford Russell Park Working Mens Club, 69 Goldington Rd, Bedford MK40 3ND)
The Half Moon (108 High St, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7BN)
Eaton Socon, St Neots,Cambridgeshire
The Cock, 23 High St, Broom, Biggleswade SG18 9NA (address found on league website)
North End Club (60 Roff Ave, Bedford MK41 7TW)
The Bluebell (115 Putnoe Ln, Bedford MK41 9AH)
The Duke (10 Woburn Rd, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7QA)
The Mulberry Bush, Kempston is listed on the website but don't think it's in the League any longer (April 2020)

Buried in their website is a news article entitled 'Highest Score' by J.Simmonds 02/10/18 with a single sentence "Well done to Pete Whybrow for a high score of 22." That's pretty impressive by my standards!

Northamptonshire Table Skittles - Pubs

If you want to submit a pub to this list, please just email me:

The Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne
The Live and Let Live, Harpole, Northamptonshire
The White Horse, Wymington, Rushden, Northamptonshire
The Swan, Newton Bromswold, Rushden, Northamptonshire
The Talbot, Gretton, Rockingham, Northamptonshire.
The White Horse, Lowick, Northamptonshire
The Shuckburgh Arms, Stoke Doyle, Oundle, Northamptonshire (submitted Andy Keeling June 2000)
The Admiral Rodney, Long Buckby, Northamptonshire (submitted Colin Batchelor, April 2001)
The Plough, Langford, Bedfordshire
The New Inn, Sandy, Bedfordshire
The Salutation, Blunham, Bedfordshire.
The Exeter Arms, Cardington, Bedfordshire.
The Blue Bell, Easton on the Hill, Stamford, Lincolnshire.
The Manchester Arms, Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire
The Staff of Life, Mowsley, near Rugby, Warwickshire.
The Alexandra Arms, Rugby, Warwickshire (submitted Colin Batchelor, April 2001)
The Barley Mow, Newbold on Avon, near Rugby, Warwickshire (submitted Colin Batchelor, April 2001)
The Lawford Arms, Long Lawford, near Rugby, Warwickshire (submitted Colin Batchelor, April 2001)
Royal Oak, Naseby, Warwickshire
The Black Dog Inn
Higham Ferrers WMC, Rushden, NN10 8BB (sub. Christopher Mantle, Oct 2004)
Sheaf and Sickle, 1 Coventry Road Rugby CV23 9DT 01788 552 338 (discovered Jan 2008)
Royal Oak, Naseby (May 2010, Malcolm Watkins)
Bar 71, Main Road, Brancaster, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 8AA (submitted Adele Beckley 2023)

Old Bush Winter Olympics Facebook Page - Worcester.

The following is a list from "The Cog Thrower" up to date as at July 2008 to whom I and all serious fans of Northamptonshire Skittles are indebted. He welcomes your comments. Email 'thecogthrower at yahoo.co.uk'. The notes are all from the Cog Thrower, not me:

"The Cog Throwers" Favourites
Kings Arms            - Farthingstone (Pub Highly Recommended).
Three Compasses       - Upper Dean    (Playing Time Restrictions).
The Chequers - Swinford (A pub with skittles history).
The Horseshoe         - Lavendon
The Hare & Hounds     - Gt. Addington
The Cross Keys        - Molesworth
The Bedford Arms      - Souldrop

Other Good Tables
Tollmarche Arms       - Harrington
The Swan              - Newton Bromswold
The Inn (The Cock Inn)- Denford
The Lamb Inn          - Lt. Harrowden
The Three Tuns        - Biddenham
The White Horse       - Wymington
King Edward VII Inn   - Rushden
The White Horse       - Woodford

Fair/Reasonable Tables
The Courthouse        - Thrapston
The Kings Head        - Wadenhoe     (Playing Time Restrictions).
The Royal Oak         - Naseby
The Fox Inn           - Wilbarston
The Forester Arms     - Nether Heyford
The Red Lion          - Yarley Hastings
The Sun               - Hardingstone
The Horseshoe         - Wilby
Ye Three Fyshes       - Turvey
The Boot              - Wollaston
The Five Bells        - Riseley
The St.Johns Arms     - Melchbourne
The White Hart        - Stoke Goldington
The Vane Arms         - Sudborough   (Playing Time Restrictions).
The George            - Oundle
The Locomotive        - Wellingborough
The White Horse       - Tilbrook     (Playing Time Restrictions).
The White Hart - Gt. Staughton (Very Light Wood Pins !)

Plastic Pins & Cheeses. Non Purists Venues

The Bell & Bear       - Emberton
The Race Horse Inn    - Catworth
The Cock              - Pavenham
The Anchor            - Bedford
The Half Moon         - Kempston
The Royal George      - Stagsden

Others
The Red Lion          - Bozeat
The Green Man         - Leighton Bromswold
The Swan              - Old Weston
Olde Three Cocks Inn - Brigstock   (Playing Time Restrictions).
Dog & Partridge       - Titchmarsh (Playing Time Restrictions).

Northamptonshire Table Skittles - No More

Ye Olde Plough, Bolnhurst, Bedfordshire (no longer have a table)
Axe & Compass, Ringstead (no longer have a table)
The Devonshire Arms, Dudley Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire (no longer have a table sub. Amanda Bertram, Feb 2003)
The Prince of Wales, Upper Dean, Bedfordshire (pub has closed)
The Plough, Felmersham, Bedfordshire (pub has closed)

Bar Skittles Pubs

If you want to submit a pub to this list, please just email me.

The Plough, Blundeston, Suffolk
The Potteries, Staffordshire
The Royal George, Birdlip, Gloucestershire
The Windged Spur, Ullenhall, Redditch, Worcestershire
The Man of Iron, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire
The Exeter Arms, Uppingham, Leicestershire
The King's Head, Navenby, Lincolnshire
The Crabtree, Raintree Road, London W6
The Bell, 661 Staines Road, Bedfont, Middlesex
The Star Inn, Ashton under hill, Evesham, Worcestershire 01386-811325 (submitted John Crowther, Feb 2000)
The Shuckburgh Arms, Stoke Doyle, Oundle, Northants (submitted Andy Keeling June 2000)
The Plough, Greetham, Rutland (submitted Ian Smeeton, April 2001)
The Blue Cow, South Witham, Lincolnshire (submitted Ian Smeeton, April 2001)
Nags Head, Saltby, Leicestershire (submitted Ian Smeeton, April 2001)
The Queen's Head, Newton, Cambridgeshire (submitted Matt Fayers, Sep 2001)
The Robin Hood, St. Albans (as at 2024, always a Jaques League Table Skittles setup and ready to play)

The Crewkerne & District Table Skittles League (submitted Feb 2005 by Keith Vining) consisting of
The Squirrel Inn, Leymore, Winsham, near Crewkerne 01460 30298
Globe A, B & Trotters (3 teams) Globe Inn, Misterton 01460 72455
Con Club Conservative Club Crewkerne 01460 72474

Bar Skittles Leagues

Although Bar Skittles is to be found in many English pubs and is probably one of the most popular pub games, it's not taken quite as seriously as larger, more boisterous pub sports and consequently there are not many leagues in existence. The following two seem to have ceased.

Bridport Table Skittles. No updates on their Facebook page since 2016 and their website www.bridporttableskittles.co.uk seems to have disappeared, mind...

Nottingham & Arnold Table Skittles & Domino League was featured in 2016 on Mark Shirley's fantastic website...