Wigan Bowl on Wallgate is a standalone building with its own entrance, and it has 28 lanes, two more than the Bolton centre at Middlebrook. Small children get bumpers on any lane, lighter balls and ramps, and under-16s pay junior prices. There is an arcade and pool tables to fill the gaps between turns, plus a bar and diner that brings food to the lane.
It is also a touch cheaper than Bolton and Bury on the offers page: eat, drink and bowl from £8, three games from £9.50 a person. The 2 games and 2 drinks deal is not available in school holidays. Allow roughly 45 minutes a game for up to six players, longer for a big group because everyone bowls in turn. No outside food or drink.
Weekdays open at 11am, weekends at 9am. The centre says Friday and Saturday evenings, school holidays and rainy weekends are the busy times and that all 28 lanes can be gone hours ahead, so book if you are relying on it. Walk-ins are welcome when there is space. With a wide age range in tow, it is a fair compromise: the toddler rolls off the ramp, the teenager tries to beat you.
What it costs: Three games from £9.50 a person and eat, drink and bowl (one game, a burger or hot dog with fries and a drink) from £8. Junior pricing for under-16s. The 2 games and 2 drinks deal (from £14.50) is not available in school holidays. Open Mon to Thu 11am to 11pm, Fri 11am to midnight, Sat 9am to midnight, Sun 9am to 11pm; hours change in school holidays.
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