Checked 11 Nov 2026

DC Bowl

5 lanes Dolphin Centre

Website Directions

Building works at the Dolphin Centre: since 11 Jul 2026 bowlers reach the alley through the female dry change.

DC Bowl at a glance

Right nowSee hours

Lanes5

Lowest listed rate£8.25

Who can bowlU16s with an adult after 19:00

Lane typeTen-pin

BookingOnline booking

Daytime and evening opening at DC Bowl

Monday10:00 – 21:00

Tuesday10:00 – 21:00

Wednesday10:00 – 21:00

Thursday10:00 – 21:00

Friday10:00 – 22:00

Saturday10:00 – 20:00

Sunday10:00 – 19:00

The prices page gives Monday to Thursday 10:00 to 21:00, Friday 10:00 to 22:00, Saturday 10:00 to 20:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 19:00; other council and tourism pages list slightly different times.

Source: the venue's website (darlington.gov.uk), read 11 Nov 2026.

Five lanes inside the Dolphin Centre

Inside the Dolphin Centre on Horsemarket, Darlington Borough Council runs DC Bowl, a five-lane alley with its reception on the first floor. Rather than a standard scoring display, the lanes use an entertainment system, and the balls range from 6 lb to 15 lb. Ramps and bumpers are available, and the ramps can be used by wheelchair users.

Once a month, on the first Sunday from 10:00 to 11:00, an SEN session runs for children with special educational needs, with the alley music switched off and the lanes fully lit. Its small size makes private hire practical: the whole alley costs £250 for an hour for up to 30 players. Adult games are £8.25 at any time, and juniors under 16 pay £6.60.

Finding DC Bowl in Darlington

Dolphin Centre, Horsemarket, Darlington; DC Bowl reception is on the first floor. Phone 01325 406000 if online booking is not possible.

Dolphin Centre, Horsemarket, Darlington (DC Bowl reception on first floor)

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Council prices for DC Bowl

Seniors and students pay £6.60 off-peak (10:00 to 17:00, weekdays in term time). A family game is £28, or £26 off-peak.

Source: the venue's website (darlington.gov.uk), read 11 Nov 2026. Rates change; confirm before you go.

Ramps, SEN sessions and private hire

Five lanes
Ramps for wheelchair users
Monthly SEN session
Whole-alley hire £250

Building works and age rules

Public, with online booking requested. Children under 11 need an adult, and under-16s must be accompanied after 19:00. During building works, access to the alley is through the female dry change.

More bowling in the Tees Valley

Sources

darlington.gov.uk · lane count
darlington.gov.uk · venue details (archived)
darlington.gov.uk · venue details (archived)
teesvalley-ca.gov.uk · venue details (archived)

Facts checked 11 Nov 2026 against the sources above. Not a live availability check.