Hold your own 'pub Olympics'

We can't all be up to Olympic standards, especially if we enjoy the odd pint or two down the pub, but there are still plenty of sports to be played as you while away the afternoon off the race-track.

Fusball

Café Kick

Football is what this tiny, shack-like café-bar is all about. There are a number of fusball tables, and the décor (like the TV) is wholly devoted to the Beautiful Game.

Skittles

The Freemasons Arms

If you like your pub games with real beer, the Freemasons Arms is the place to be. It regularly hosts games of skittles, but instead of using a ball, punters have to throw a cheese at the pins. Games take place on Tuesdays from 8pm to 11pm and Saturdays from 6pm to 9pm.

Giant kids' games

Scream pubs

Filled with giant Connect Four games, huge chess boards, table footie, pool tables, video games, quiz machines, fruities and two to three TVs, Scream pubs are an absolute hidden gem in the world of cheap, quality pubs. Pick up a yellow card for discounts.

Board games

Ashburnham Arms

Embellished by a roaring fire in winter, pub cricket XI gatherings in summer and bar billiards and board games all year round, the Ashburnham Arms also has a special games night at 7.30pm on Mondays (free) and Spanish classes at 7pm on the same night! (£6). There is also a beer garden and conservatory for little ones.

Dominoes

The Grapes

In a prime riverside location, this pub was used by Dickens as the basis for scenes in Our Mutual Friend. There is a fish restaurant upstairs and downstairs the chance to play traditional pub games such as shove-ha'penny, skittles, cribbage and dominoes

Darts and more

The Australian

This spick-and-span, mid 19th century pub, used to be the 'local' for Prince's Green cricket ground. Alas the cricket ground is no more, but if you love the game this is a treasure trove. Old and quirky bats, interesting prints and faded photographs of Australian cricketers, cover the walls. Several pub games are played here including darts.