The traditional pub game of London Skittles is played with nine pins. Unlike other forms of alley skittles it is played not with a ball but a cheese, which is thrown (not rolled) at the pins.

The game, also known as Old English Skittles, is played at two venues in London.

At the Freemasons Arms in Hampstead, the skittle alley is tucked away in the pub cellar. With the periodic thud of lignum vitae on hornbeam emanating from below, tourists stumble upon it as often as the locals.

The alley in Norbury is housed on the ground floor of a sports pavilion formerly the exclusive preserve of National Westminster Bank employees. This sports club is now run by Powerleague and membership of the skittle club is open to the public.

If you're looking for things to do on an evening out in London and you like pub games and real beer, come to the Freemasons Arms. We play on Tuesdays from 8pm to 11pm and Saturdays 6pm to 9pm. For more information about the Freemasons' Arms at pubs.com, click the image.

Both clubs welcome new players, either as individuals or as a group. If you want to give it a try or your Sports or Social Club or other group would be interested in booking an evening of team games, please contact us:
Hampstead: email us | more information
Norbury: phone Richard Matthews 020 7063 1102