Little Bowden Bowling Club

Lawn bowls isn't everyone's idea of a thrilling afternoon, but Little Bowden Bowling Club near Market Harborough offers something genuinely worth considering if you're after a gentle, sociable activity during a park holiday in Northamptonshire. The club has proper greens and welcomes visitors - though you'll want to ring ahead first to check they're not in the middle of a competition or match day.

This is mainly a spot for bowls enthusiasts or anyone curious about trying the sport itself. If you've got grandparents in tow or you fancy learning a new skill, it can be quite meditative - there's a real rhythm to it, and the competitive players here know their stuff. Casual drop-ins might feel a bit sidelined during peak times, so timing matters. It's the sort of place where you'll spend an hour or so maximum unless you're actually playing a game.

From the caravan sites nearby - Get Lost In Nature and Buttercup Meadow are closest at under four miles - it's a straightforward drive into Little Bowden village itself. Don't expect much in the way of facilities or fanfare. The real appeal is tucking into a genuine local activity rather than another tourist attraction. If bowls isn't calling your name, the market town of Market Harborough itself has more conventional daytime options, but for a quirky break from the usual park holiday routine, this club delivers exactly what it promises: honest, unpretentious lawn bowls in rural East Midlands.