Where to find Chess and bridge in Exeter, Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 51 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Exeter, Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall, in 34 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 81 regular sessions, most often on Mondays and Tuesdays. 31 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site. Four of the 51 are in Exeter itself, and we list them first below.
Small, friendly bridge section of a combined bridge and tennis club in St Leonards, with duplicate on Monday and Thursday evenings and a relaxed Wednesday afternoon session suited to new and improving players.
EBU affiliated duplicate bridge club playing at Newcourt Community Centre on weekday afternoons and at Victoria Park Club on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, with supervised and practice sessions for newer players.
Friendly chess club meeting every Tuesday evening at Heavitree Social Club, welcoming players of all abilities and league players, with a junior club earlier on Tuesday evenings from September to May.
Bridge section of Exeter Golf and Country Club playing duplicate pairs in its first floor Bridge Room on Monday evenings and Wednesday afternoons, with visitors welcome for up to three visits a year.
Bridge club in its own clubhouse just off Mutley Plain, with afternoon duplicate on Mondays and Thursdays, a Friday evening session, relaxed social bridge on Tuesday afternoons and lessons for beginners and intermediates.
Friendly but serious bridge club at the Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club with duplicate on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, plus a monthly Saturday Tea session.
EBU affiliated bridge club at the Masonic Hall in Penryn, with Thursday evening duplicate, a Tuesday afternoon session for less experienced players and a monthly Saturday bridge drive. New members and visitors are always welcome.
EBU affiliated bridge club at the Richard Newton Hall with a Monday evening and two daytime sessions, offering a supportive setting for players moving from classes to duplicate.
Duplicate bridge club playing every Monday evening at Trevenson Church Community Hall in Pool, with occasional Saturday afternoon sessions. Visitors are welcome and the club can help find a partner.
Long running chess club meeting fortnightly on Wednesday evenings at the Bickford Smith Bowling Club in Tuckingmill, with coaching at 18:00 followed by rapidplay, blitz and club championship events. It suits newcomers looking for coaching as well as league players, with several teams in the county leagues.
Bridge club meeting on Monday afternoons in Carbis Bay, with a monthly duplicate session at the Memorial Hall on Trencrom Lane. Beginners are welcome and the club offers teaching for new players.
EBU affiliated bridge club of over 100 members playing duplicate at Woodbury Village Hall on Monday and Friday afternoons, with a more relaxed Monday session.
Bridge club founded in 1981 running duplicate sessions on Tuesday evenings and Friday afternoons at the Public Hall in Liskeard. Players of all standards are made welcome in a friendly, sociable setting.
Friendly EBU affiliated bridge club at the Recreational Trust, with hosted relaxed bridge on Tuesday afternoons suitable for all standards and competitive duplicate on Thursday evenings.
Long running bridge club in the Sidmouth Rugby Clubhouse with afternoon duplicate on Mondays and rubber bridge on Tuesdays, with visitors welcome.
Relaxed duplicate bridge group at the Parkhouse Centre in Bude, playing on Wednesday afternoons with an improvers session on Monday afternoons. Players range from newly trained beginners to county level, so just turn up and play.
Small, friendly bridge club playing duplicate every Tuesday and Thursday evening all year at The Bradbury Café in Topsham, welcoming new players.
Bridge club with a spacious clubhouse and free parking in St Marychurch, with duplicate on Monday evenings for intermediate and advanced players and a relaxed Wednesday evening for beginners and intermediates, plus beginner courses.
Chess club meeting on Thursday evenings at the Conservative Club in Barnstaple, running winter and summer club competitions and DCCA team events.
Friendly EBU affiliated bridge club playing duplicate on Wednesday evenings at The Christchurch Hall in Braunton, with visitors welcome.
Friday afternoon bridge club at Carnon Downs Village Hall near Truro, listed as free on the Feock parish community calendar.
Friendly, competitive duplicate bridge on Tuesday evenings at the Parkhouse Centre in Bude, with EBU master points. New members are warmly welcomed and the secretary arranges partners.
Active chess club meeting on Thursday evenings at the Royal British Legion in Bude, running several teams in the Cornwall leagues. Free on-street parking after 18:00.
Chess club meeting at the Tamar Inn in Calstock, with home league matches at Calstock Village Hall on The Quay. It suits players who enjoy club games and county league chess.
Chess club, formerly Falmouth and Truro, that plays its Cornwall league home matches on Monday evenings at Carnon Downs Village Hall near Truro. It suits rated and league players keen to join a county team.
Weekly Saturday chess meeting at the Home Ground Coffee Cafe in Redruth, open for casual games from late morning into the afternoon. A relaxed option for anyone wanting a weekend game.
Small, friendly bridge club playing duplicate every Thursday evening at Willand Church Hall, between Cullompton and junction 27 of the M5.
Friendly duplicate bridge on Thursday evenings at The Flavel in Dartmouth, with visitors welcome.
Friendly chess club meeting on Sunday afternoons at Fairwinds Cafe in Falmouth town centre. Players of every level are welcome, including complete beginners.
Bridge club playing duplicate on Wednesday evenings at The Staddy in Plymouth.
Monday afternoon duplicate bridge at the Pattern Hall on Charlestown Road, St Austell. Visitors are welcome, please reserve a table first.
Bridge club holding friendly face to face duplicate on Tuesday afternoons at West Charleton Village Hall near Kingsbridge.
Friendly chess club meeting every Tuesday evening in the Red Store beside the River Lerryn, with casual and competitive play. Beginners, juniors, returning players and rated players new to the area are all welcome.
Thursday afternoon rubber bridge session run by Liskeard Bridge Club at Liskerrett Community Centre. A sociable alternative to the club's duplicate sessions.
Chess club meeting on Monday evenings in Liskeard, with teams in the County Shield, Quickplay League and cup competitions. It suits players who enjoy friendly club games and county league chess.
Bridge club formed in 2023 playing afternoon duplicate on Thursdays at the MARS Pavilion, welcoming friendly bridge players who want a relaxed introduction to duplicate.
Welcoming chess club meeting on Monday evenings in the Steam Bar function room at the Great Western Hotel, Newquay. Everyone is welcome and the club helps learners get to grips with the game.
Saturday morning chess club at Newquay Library run by Newquay Chess Club. It is aimed at juniors and beginners, and all are welcome.
Chess club meeting on Thursday evenings at the Courtenay Centre from September to May, welcoming beginners, returning players, juniors and league players.
Team based chess club that plays its County Shield and cup home matches at Wadebridge Bowls Club, usually on Monday evenings. It suits league players in North Cornwall looking for a team.
Duplicate bridge club meeting every Wednesday evening at Westholme, the clubhouse of Penzance and Newlyn Rugby Club, with ample parking and a bar. Visitors are welcome and the partner finder will help pair you up.
Relaxed Friday evening duplicate bridge group at Penzance Sailing Club for improving players, with experienced members happy to help. A good stepping stone between lessons and the main clubs.
Friendly chess club meeting on Thursday evenings in the ground floor room of the Regal Club, Kingsbridge, welcoming players of all standards with help for newcomers to clocks and competitive chess.
Duplicate bridge club meeting on Tuesday evenings throughout the year at the Arts Centre in St Austell, with ample parking. Visitors are welcome.
Live duplicate bridge every Thursday evening at St Johns Church Hall, St Ives. Get in touch beforehand to play or to find a partner.
Friendly bridge club playing duplicate pairs every Thursday evening in the basement hall of the United Reformed Church, with a host system and support for players new to duplicate.
Relaxed and friendly EBU affiliated bridge club playing pairs on Monday evenings at Roundswell Community Centre, with visitors welcome, free parking and disabled access.
Long established chess club meeting every Tuesday evening at the Alice Cross Day Centre from September to May, suiting players who know the game and want club and league chess.
Bridge club playing duplicate every Monday evening at the Britton Centre in Tiverton, with visitors and new members welcome.
Bridge club playing duplicate pairs on Friday evenings at the Masonic Hall in Totnes.
EBU affiliated bridge club playing pairs every Tuesday evening at the John Betjeman Centre in Wadebridge. It is the face to face club for North Cornwall since the Newquay and Bodmin clubs closed.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Plymouth Bridge Club, Plymouth. Duplicate pairs
Sidmouth Bridge Club, Sidmouth. Duplicate pairs
Exmouth Bridge Club, Woodbury. Relaxed duplicate pairs with tea break
JoBar Bridge Club, St Austell. Duplicate pairs
Carbis Bay Bridge Club, Carbis Bay. Club afternoon, beginners welcome
Simply Duplicate (Bude), Bude. Improvers session
Newquay Chess Club, Newquay. Club night, friendly games
Teignmouth Bridge Club, Teignmouth. Duplicate pairs
Tiverton Bridge Club, Tiverton. Duplicate pairs
Camborne Bridge Club, Redruth. Duplicate pairs
Torquay Bridge Club, Torquay. Duplicate pairs for intermediate and advanced players, host system
Exeter Golf and Country Club Bridge, Exeter. Duplicate pairs, come with a partner
Plymouth Bridge Club, Plymouth. Beginners course and supervised play for intermediates
Taw Vale Bridge Club, Barnstaple. Duplicate pairs
Victoria Park Bridge Club, Exeter. Duplicate pairs, evening
Carnon Downs Chess Club, Carnon Downs. League match night
Liskeard Chess Club, Liskeard. Club night and home matches
North Cornwall Chess Club, Wadebridge. League match night
Plymouth Bridge Club, Plymouth. Intermediate class with set hands
Exeter Bridge Club, Exeter. Improvers practice session
Plymouth Bridge Club, Plymouth. Friendly non scored social bridge, no partner needed
Kingsbridge Regal Bridge Club, West Charleton. Friendly duplicate pairs
Newton Abbot Bridge Club, Newton Abbot. Hosted relaxed bridge, all standards
Falmouth Bridge Club, Penryn. Improvers and club session for less experienced players
Sidmouth Bridge Club, Sidmouth. Rubber bridge
Exeter Chess Club, Exeter. Junior club
Topsham Bridge Club, Topsham. Duplicate pairs
St Austell Bridge Club, St Austell. Duplicate pairs
Liskeard Bridge Club, Liskeard. Duplicate pairs
Wadebridge Bridge Club, Wadebridge. Duplicate pairs
Victoria Park Bridge Club, Exeter. Duplicate pairs
Budleigh Salterton Bridge Club, Budleigh Salterton. Duplicate pairs
Teignmouth Chess Club, Teignmouth. Club night, standard and rapid play
Lerryn Chess Club, Lostwithiel. Club night, casual and competitive
Bude Bridge Club, Bude. Duplicate pairs
Exeter Chess Club, Exeter. Club night, casual and league chess
Exeter Bridge Club, Exeter. Supervised duplicate play
Teignmouth Bridge Club, Teignmouth. Duplicate pairs
Victoria Park Bridge Club, Exeter. Relaxed duplicate for new and improving players
Budleigh Salterton Bridge Club, Budleigh Salterton. Duplicate pairs
Exeter Golf and Country Club Bridge, Exeter. Duplicate pairs, draw for partners
Simply Duplicate (Bude), Bude. Duplicate, relaxed
Camborne Chess Club, Camborne. Coaching session
Penzance Bridge Club, Penzance. Duplicate pairs
Torquay Bridge Club, Torquay. Relaxed duplicate for beginners and intermediates, host system
Victoria Park Bridge Club, Exeter. Practice session for newer players, no partner needed
Fort Stamford Bridge Club, Plymouth. Duplicate pairs
Braunton Bridge Club, Braunton. Duplicate pairs
Camborne Chess Club, Camborne. Club tournament night (rapidplay, blitz, club championship)
Plymouth Bridge Club, Plymouth. Duplicate pairs
Modbury Bridge Club, Modbury. Duplicate pairs, come with a partner
Exeter Bridge Club, Exeter. Duplicate pairs
Liskeard Bridge Club Rubber Bridge, Liskeard. Rubber bridge
Budleigh Salterton Bridge Club, Budleigh Salterton. Duplicate pairs
Topsham Bridge Club, Topsham. Duplicate pairs
Dartmouth and District Bridge Club, Dartmouth. Duplicate pairs
Tavistock Millennium Bridge Club, Tavistock. Duplicate pairs, host system
Cullompton and Willand Bridge Club, Willand. Duplicate pairs
Falmouth Bridge Club, Penryn. Duplicate pairs
St Ives Bridge Club, St Ives. Duplicate pairs
Newton Abbot Bridge Club, Newton Abbot. Competitive duplicate pairs
Newton Abbot Chess Club, Newton Abbot. Club night, internal competitions and league matches
South Hams Chess Club, Kingsbridge. Club night, informal games and internal competitions
Barnstaple Chess Club, Barnstaple. Club night
Victoria Park Bridge Club, Exeter. Duplicate pairs, evening, come with a partner
Bude Chess Club, Bude. Club night and home matches
Bridge Club at Carnon Downs Village Hall, Carnon Downs. Social bridge
Teignmouth Bridge Club, Teignmouth. Duplicate pairs
Exmouth Bridge Club, Woodbury. Duplicate pairs
Liskeard Bridge Club, Liskeard. Duplicate pairs
Penzance Improvers Bridge, Penzance. Improvers duplicate
Plymouth Bridge Club, Plymouth. Duplicate pairs, partners required
Carbis Bay Bridge Club, Carbis Bay. Duplicate
Newquay Chess Club Saturday Club, Newquay. Junior and beginner club, all welcome
Chess in Redruth, Redruth. Casual play
Falmouth Bridge Club, Penryn. Bridge drive with afternoon tea
Budleigh Salterton Bridge Club, Budleigh Salterton. Afternoon duplicate with tea
Camborne Bridge Club, Redruth. Afternoon bridge
Falmouth Chess Club, Falmouth. Social club session, all levels
The venues with the most regular nights are Plymouth Bridge Club in Plymouth (6 nights), Victoria Park Bridge Club in Exeter (5 nights) and Budleigh Salterton Bridge Club in Budleigh Salterton (4 nights). We list 51 venues in all across Exeter, Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall.
Mondays and Tuesdays have the most regular sessions. 73 sessions run every week. The Exeter calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 31 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Exeter Chess Club, Newton Abbot Chess Club and South Hams Chess Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
One regular night is free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £2 and £4. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
A free weekly email of what's on in your area: tournaments, pre-releases, launch events and new regular nights. Plus a monthly round-up of new shops, clubs and game releases.
