Wakefield Thornes Bowls Club

Visit Thornes Wakefield Bowls Club beautiful 1930s bowling pavilion. Thought to be the last of its kind in the city, the pavilion was built by Paton and Baldwin’s yarn-spinning company who owned the nearby Thornes mill on Denby Dale Road. Like other large employers in the 1920s and 1930s, Paton and Baldwin built sports facilities to help support the health and wellbeing of their employees. They built a bowling green, tennis court and cricket ground at Green Lane End. The pavilion was built in 1937, on the eve of the Second World War. It was restored in 2025-2026, and new facilities created, with support from Wakefield Council.

The club is still active today, although it no longer belongs to the company and is now completely run by volunteers. We are always happy to welcome new members. We still play in the Wakefield workshops league, which started out as a league of clubs connected to local employers.

We are taking part in Heritage Open Days for the first time this year. Come along and have a go at bowling, chat to the volunteers and visit the newly restored pavilion. We will also be collecting memories of bowls in Wakefield during the day, so do call in if you have a story to share.

We are located only a short walk from Holmfield Bowls club who will also be open on the same day, so why not visit both?

Timings

Sunday 20 September:

1000 - 1600

Location & directions

Green End Lane, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 7AG

Directions:

You can either access the club via Green End Lane, or via the Cricket Club on Field Lane.

Contact on day:

Sue

Telephone number:

+447908042516

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The bowling green is all one one level, but there are steps up to the pavillion. The toilets have ramp access.

Additional information

Check out our online channels

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