Southampton Old Bowling Green
established 1299
The green adjoining the God's House Hospital had been had been established in 1187 and was used by the Warden for recreational purposes. The first time it was used for a game of bowls was in 1299 making it the world's oldest bowling green still in use today.
Images courtesy Southampton Old Bowling Club
It
is also the only club that has a 'Master' in charge, a title carried
forward from the earliest of days. A unique occurrence called the
'Knighthood' competition is held annually when the members play in top
hats and frocked tails suits, the winner being allowed the title of
'sir', (in lower case), Those who win are banned from future
Knighthood competitions. Other
clubs in the country also lay claim to ancient ancestry, Chesterfield
Bowling Club lays claim to having a rink from 1294, From this we know that in
England, Bowls was a recognised and somewhat organised sport,as long
ago as the thirteenth century.