Prittlewell Bowls & Croquet Club
Where timeless games are played and lasting friendships and made!
Welcome to Prittlewell Bowls & Croquet Club!
Prittlewell Bowls & Croquet Club is a friendly and welcoming community where players of all ages and abilities can enjoy the classic sports of bowls and croquet. Whether you're looking for friendly games, competitive matches, or simply a great social atmosphere, our club offers something for everyone.
With excellent facilities and a vibrant club spirit, we invite you to join us for a game, make new friends, and be part of our sporting tradition. Come along and experience the fun of bowls and croquet with us!
What We Offer
At Prittlewell Bowls & Croquet Club, we have fantastic facilities for both casual and competitive play.
Come and enjoy great sport, great company, and a welcoming atmosphere at our club!
Bowls
Enjoy our well-maintained greens, whether you're a beginner or an experienced player. We host social roll-ups, club competitions, and league matches.
Croquet
Test your skill and strategy on our croquet lawn, with opportunities for friendly games and tournaments.
Licensed Bar
Relax after a game with a drink in our licensed bar, the perfect place to socialize with fellow members and guests.
A Brief History of Prittlewell Bowls Club
- Priory Park was opened by the Duke of York on the 14th July 1920
- Prittlewell Bowls Club was formed in 1928 as a men’s club. As Southend’s Premier the council installed 4 greens allowing plenty of space and opportunities for matches or just casual games.
- Around the 1930’s the first of 3 ladies clubs were formed. Namely Priory Ladies, Prittlewell Ladies and Victoria Ladies. Sadly, those clubs are no longer in existence, but our 4 greens remain.
- From 1930 until the turn of the century due to the 4 greens Prittlewell B.C. hosted both the Ladies and Men’s Annual Open Tournament.
- During the nineties the club twice hosted The National Blind Bowlers Association Championship Finals at Priory Park.
- The Great Fire. The 30th May 2001 was one of the worst days in the club's history when the club house was completely demolished by fire. Sadly, the club lost many members whilst the council took 3 years to decide what they were going to do. The club survived with just a porta cabin, one table, one bench and a kettle until the new pavilion was opened on 25th May 2004.
- 2007 Another moment in history when Prittlewell B.C. welcomed women into the club and became the first mixed club in the Southend Park Circle. The very first ladies match was against Rochford Ladies on the 12th September.
- 2007 Prestigious Honours: In 2007 the club won the Bowls England Club of the Year Runners up award. Along with the D’Arcy Drayton Cup.
- 2008 the club re-entered the Bowls England Club of the Year competition and received a Highly Commended Diploma.
- 2009 Over the weekend of 22nd 23rd August 2009 the club were proud to host the British Deaf Lawn Bowls Championship.
- In 2013 the club celebrated its 85th Anniversary and welcomed the Royal Hospital Chelsea (the Chelsea Pensioners) with a return match the following year.
- In 2023 Southend City Council invested over £14000 upgrading green 3 to Bowls England champion standard.
- Being such a friendly club, we often have a few days away playing at other venues around the country. In 2024 we won the Top Club Award at Potters resort, Hopton. Quite an achievement, seeing as we are not an indoor club
- 2025 History is made again. Prittlewell Bowls and Croquet Club was formed. In addition to being affiliated to Bowls England and Essex County B.A. The club is also affiliated to Croquet England and the East Anglian Croquet Federation.
- The club now offers two healthy and enjoyable sports in the local community where friendships are made. Everyone is welcome to come and have a free trial.
- We pride ourselves on being part of the community supporting other charities and organisations. This year we will be welcoming Forget Me Not Caring Day Centre.
- For many years we have worked with local schools and currently some of our members attend Earls Hall Junior School once a week providing short mat indoor bowls.
