Bridgman Bowling Club

Ten-pin bowling in Olney isn't something you'd cross the county for, but if you're staying at Grendon Lakes or Ekeney House Campsite and the weather turns, Bridgman Bowling Club fills an afternoon without fuss. It's a proper local spot - the kind of place where regulars know the staff and kids can actually have a go without feeling like they're in the way.

The club offers standard bowling lanes with the usual hire shoes and scoring systems. Expect retro carpets and that particular smell of polished lanes mixed with shoe leather. Families with younger children do well here, especially if you've got a few hours to kill between camp activities. Teenagers might find it decent enough for a group outing, though there's nothing fancy about it.

It's free to walk in, though lane hire costs come into play - phone ahead if you can to check current prices and book a lane during school holidays, as it gets busy. Allow two hours if you're doing proper bowling with a group; an hour if you're just knocking about. Weekday afternoons are quieter than weekends.

Honestly, it's a backup plan rather than a destination. Fine as part of a park holiday in Buckinghamshire, especially with younger kids who tire of outdoor activities. But you're not missing anything if you skip it for a walk round the lakes at either campsite instead.