There is a lot to admire about the borough of Wandsworth for family living. It stands amongst the very best of southwest London for an active community of like-minded young families that benefit from great schooling, fantastic green open spaces and a nighttime atmosphere that buzzes with social energy.
When it comes to choosing the perfect activity for everyone in the family to enjoy, there is often a challenge in keeping the younger minds engaged while ensuring that the grown-ups can rediscover the thrill of play. Ten-pin bowling has long been at the top of the list for this very reason. The simplicity and instant access it offers means that everybody can be up and running relatively quickly and having a ball together.
Here are three of the best options for bowling in Wandsworth to consider for the next family night out.
Strike
The site of what was once Young’s Brewery is now the wonderfully restored Grade II-listed Ram Quarter that uses the striking historical location to great effect. Among the sleek and sympathetically designed spaces of high ceilings and exposed brick is Strike, a classic bowling experience with a few added surprises too.
Four ten-pin lanes have been constructed to the highest standard using the world-leading Brunswick brand to signify that even though this might be a family-friendly event space, no compromises are made for professional quality. The Duckpin Lanes available here are also the perfect way of getting the tiniest hands in your party used to the game itself, with smaller balls and no finger holes, so the basics can be learned in a fun way.
All of that exercise will undoubtedly create quite an appetite too. The food and drink options at Strike offer much more than the average fare for the occasion, with stone-baked pizzas and sharing platters proving to be a big hit for families. As you would expect from such a popular location, there are some great options for craft beers and tank fresh lager that provide a post-game great celebratory drink for the adults. With darts, shuffleboard and billiards games all available too, this place can make for a complete afternoon or early evening out in quite some style.
Gravity Max
The Gravity Max entertainment hub inside Southside Shopping Centre on Wandsworth High Street is an exciting multi-floor venue that feels like it has arrived direct from the future. And the star attraction here is undoubtedly the AR Bowling that fuses a love of the traditional ten-pin game with augmented reality to project live graphics onto the physical surface of the lanes. These projections fall under different themes of sci-fi, fantasy or abstract shapes, so every game can be curated under the pulsing lights for a truly immersive experience that feels like a gamer’s paradise.
The technology applied can also be customised to respond to the on-lane activity itself. Photos of payers and visual overlays can track the stats and create mini games within each lane to follow the speed of the ball or types of shot and curve. Special effects can even be added to follow the ball on its journey towards the pin for some incredible spectacles that will have everybody energised and engaged throughout. When the game is eventually up, you could always jump to another level of Gravity Max for a spot of e-karting or digital darts to keep the action going. This place is a fantastic option for rainy half-term holidays that offers access to an entirely new world, all under one roof.
All Star Lanes
If the family would like to venture just that little bit further for an evening, then there is a wonderfully retro ten-pin bowling experience waiting in Holborn. All Star Lanes was one of the first spaces to recognise the attraction of boutique bowling in the capital and started the mini revolution that we are all now so familiar with. The plush leather booths and brass-trimmed accessories of the interior design evoke a strong feeling of mid-century Americana that is so famously associated with the game. Eight full size lanes are available with immaculately maintained balls and equipment ready to help you towards that elusive perfect game. A Private Room with its own bar and two secluded lanes is also a great option for birthdays or particularly special events at All Star Lanes, allowing for an intimacy and exclusivity across small to medium groups.
This place does have a slightly more grown-up ambience that may suit older children and teenagers, and the food supports that too. Classic diner choices such as fried chicken, burger sliders or mac & cheese are prepared with a little more care and style than one might expect and are served before or after the game in a slightly more formal, sit-down setting.
If you and your family or friends do happen to have a spare evening, then a ten-pin bowling trip is a great option to explore. As our guide shows, the wonderful neighbourhood of Wandsworth is more than well-equipped to take care of it, should the feeling strike you anytime soon.
