Bowling Green

Lawn bowls might not sound thrilling until you've actually watched someone play. Bowling Green in St Albans is a proper traditional sports venue where the real action happens - elderly gents in whites, the occasional crack of wood on wood, and genuine concentration on faces. You'll find it's the sort of place where people have been playing the same game for decades, with the kind of grass that takes genuine care to maintain.

The appeal here is niche but real. If you're into bowls or you fancy trying it yourself, this is where locals gather. It's not a spectator sport in the theme-park sense - you won't be entertained by atmosphere alone. But if you've got an interest in traditional English sports or you're the type who enjoys a quiet afternoon watching technique unfold, it's worth a look. Fair warning though: this isn't somewhere to drag reluctant teenagers unless they've specifically asked.

St Albans itself is worth the visit regardless, with its cathedral and Roman ruins. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Cherry Green Trees just over a mile away, or Commons Wood Caravan and Motorhome Club Site a bit further out, you've got easy access to the town and its genuine attractions. Bowling Green is the kind of place you'd fit in between other things rather than plan a trip around, but for the right person - someone who appreciates British sporting tradition - it's a genuine window into how people spend their leisure time here.