Where to find Chess and bridge in Norwich, Norfolk and Suffolk: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 47 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Norwich, Norfolk and Suffolk, in 27 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 50 regular sessions, most often on Tuesdays and Mondays. 16 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site. Seven of the 47 are in Norwich itself, and we list them first below.
Chess club meeting on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm in the Torben Room at the Viking Centre, Sprowston, with three Norfolk league teams. A junior club meets at the same venue earlier on Tuesday evenings.
Friendly duplicate pairs bridge club meeting every Tuesday evening at Cringleford Pavilion, with play starting at 6.45pm after seating by 6.30pm. Less experienced, improving and intermediate players are welcome, coming as a pair or arranging a partner by email in advance.
Founded in 1836, the club meets on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm at Harford Community Centre on Hall Road. Players of all ages and standards are welcome for social chess, training and league matches.
Junior section of the Norfolk and Norwich Chess Club for ages six to eighteen, meeting on Saturday mornings in term time at Norwich High School. Juniors play matches, internal leagues and trips to local chess events.
Chess club meeting on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm at the County Arts Club on Plumstead Road, with four Norfolk league teams and a June Swiss tournament.
Go club meeting on Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 9pm at The Artichoke pub in Norwich, free to attend and open to players of all levels. Joining the WhatsApp group or emailing ahead helps the club plan numbers.
Chess club meeting on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm at the Coachmakers Arms pub on St Stephens Road, Norwich, with four Norfolk league teams.
A duplicate bridge club at Nowton Court near Bury St Edmunds, with a regular club night on Tuesday evenings and a relaxed Learn and Play session for beginners and improvers on Wednesday evenings. No partner is needed on Wednesdays and visitors play free of table money.
A duplicate bridge club at Kesgrave Community Centre, with Relaxed Pairs in the Orwell Room on Monday evenings and Club Pairs in the Ropes Hall on Thursday evenings. Visitors are always welcome after registering, and the club runs courses for complete beginners and improvers.
Stowmarket Bridge Club plays at Onehouse Village Hall on Tuesday lunchtimes, with assisted play where experienced players help when needed, and on Wednesday evenings for EBU duplicate pairs. Visitors and players of all abilities are welcome, and there is a large car park.
A duplicate bridge club meeting every Tuesday evening at the Fairfield Centre in Aldeburgh, usually with five to eight tables. It suits players of a wide range of ability, and guests and new members are welcome.
Chess club meeting on Monday evenings from 7.30pm at the Aylsham and District Ex Service and Social Club on Hungate Street.
Junior chess club meeting on Monday evenings from 6pm to 7pm at Aylsham Social Club on Hungate Street.
Relaxed social chess for adults at Aylsham Library on the first and third Wednesday mornings of each month, from 10am to about midday. Suits club level players of roughly 1000 to 1700 ECF rating.
New chess club formed in September 2026, meeting on Thursday evenings from 7pm in the Garden Room at The Crown, Great Ellingham. Players of all strengths are welcome for relaxed, friendly chess.
A friendly duplicate bridge club founded in 1985, welcoming new and visiting players every Thursday evening at Southgate Community Centre. Play starts at 6.50pm and finishes by 10pm, with support and teach-in sessions for intermediate players.
The chess club for Bury St Edmunds, meeting on Thursday evenings at Moreton Hall Community Centre and running several teams in the Suffolk league.
A friendly, informal bridge club meeting every Wednesday afternoon at Cavendish Hall in Thurston. Visiting pairs are welcome.
Clare Bridge Club runs a popular relaxed duplicate session on Friday afternoons at Lavenham Village Hall.
A friendly duplicate bridge club in north Suffolk, playing every Tuesday afternoon at Eye Town Hall. New members and visitors are welcome.
Chess club meeting on Tuesday evenings from 7.35pm at the General Townshend Club in Fakenham.
A small, friendly club playing duplicate bridge on Tuesday afternoons at the Suffolk and Felixstowe Bowls Club, with tea, coffee and biscuits. Visitors are always welcome and a spare player usually makes up the numbers.
The chess club for Felixstowe, meeting on Tuesday evenings at the Felixstowe Seafarers Centre and playing in the Suffolk league.
A bridge club meeting every Monday afternoon at the Blackbourne Centre in Elmswell.
One of the largest chess clubs in Suffolk, meeting every Wednesday evening from September to May in the Birkbeck Room on the first floor of the Ipswich Institute. Players of all ages and levels are welcome, from complete beginners to league players, and the club fields several teams in the Suffolk league.
The chess section of Ipswich Sports Club, meeting every Monday evening and fielding teams across the Suffolk league and cups. Newcomers of every standard are welcome and guests can try up to five sessions before joining.
Chess club meeting on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm at the Ferry Lane Social Club in King's Lynn, with two Norfolk league teams.
Britain's most easterly bridge club, playing duplicate bridge every Monday evening at Colville House, with pairs, teams and simultaneous pairs events. Visitors and new members are always welcome.
The chess club for Lowestoft, meeting on Monday evenings at the Parkhill Hotel in Oulton and fielding teams in the Norfolk league. It also hosts the annual Lowestoft Rapidplay.
A duplicate bridge club meeting on Thursday evenings above The Stable on Newmarket High Street. Visiting pairs are most welcome and a hosting system usually guarantees a game.
A long running chess club with several teams in the Bury Area Chess League, meeting on Monday evenings at the Exning Road club in Newmarket. Newcomers are welcome at club nights.
Chess club meeting on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm at the Morley Club in Sheringham, with a club championship and rapidplay. Juniors and newcomers who want to learn are welcome to call in on a club evening.
Chess club meeting on Saturday afternoons from 3.30pm at the Phoenix Building in North Walsham. Parking is in nearby town car parks, including the free Midland Road car park.
Chess group meeting at North Walsham Library on Friday afternoons from 4pm to 6pm, welcoming junior players.
A busy, sociable duplicate bridge club playing on Monday afternoons in the pavilion behind the bowling green at Risbygate Sports Club, with tea and cake at half time. Visitors are welcome by booking ahead, and a partner broker service is available.
A club for Saxmundham and the surrounding area, meeting on Tuesday evenings at the Benhall and Sternfield Ex-Servicemen's Club. Newcomers of every standard are welcome and the club plays in the Suffolk league.
A very sociable bridge club meeting every Thursday evening at Stansfield Village Hall, with a half time break for drinks and nibbles. Players of all abilities are welcome.
Stowmarket Bridge Club holds its Friday afternoon EBU duplicate pairs at St Mary's Hall, with street parking nearby. Visitors are always welcome.
A welcoming club meeting every Tuesday evening at the Rookery Bowls Club, with social chess at its heart plus teams in the Suffolk league and Bury Area Chess League. Newcomers and returning players are welcome and the club can teach beginners.
The chess club for Sudbury, meeting on Wednesday evenings at the Sudbury Institute Club and playing in the Suffolk league.
Junior chess club meeting on Monday evenings from 6.30pm to 8pm in the Assembly Rooms at Downham Market Town Hall.
A duplicate bridge club playing every Monday evening at Woodbridge Community Hall, with refreshments provided. Visitors are always welcome, and a host is available for players without a partner on the third Monday of each month.
A friendly club meeting every Wednesday evening in the back room of the Cherry Tree Inn for fun and competitive chess. All abilities are welcome, equipment is provided, and juniors under 18 are welcome with an adult.
A friendly bridge group meeting every Thursday evening at the Woolpit Institute.
Chess club playing since 1959, meeting on Friday evenings from 7.30pm at The Feathers pub on Town Green. Fields five Norfolk league teams, with parking at the rear of the venue.
Friday evening junior chess club at Wymondham Central Hall, next to the library, with players grouped by ability and mentoring from experienced members. Children in Year 6 and below come with an adult, and some knowledge of how the pieces move is recommended.
Informal and growing chess group at Cromer Lawn Tennis and Racket Sports Club, open to all including beginners. Players are welcome to bring a board, and the club has a licensed bar serving tea, coffee and cake.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Risbygate Bridge Club, Bury St Edmunds. Duplicate pairs
West Norfolk Knights Junior Chess Club, Downham Market. Junior club
Lowestoft Bridge Club, Lowestoft. Duplicate pairs, teams and simultaneous pairs
Woodbridge Bridge Club, Woodbridge. Duplicate pairs
Ipswich & Kesgrave Bridge Club, Kesgrave, Ipswich. Duplicate pairs at a relaxed pace, with follow-up notes on the deals
Ipswich Sports Club Chess Club, Ipswich. Club night, social and league chess
Aylsham Chess Club, Aylsham. Club night, casual and league chess
Newmarket Chess Club, Newmarket. Club night, social and league chess
Lowestoft Chess Club, Lowestoft. Club night, social and league chess
Harry Huson Bridge Club, Elmswell. Duplicate bridge
Stowmarket Bridge Club (Onehouse Village Hall), Stowmarket. Assisted play duplicate teams, help from experienced players
Felixstowe Bridge Club, Felixstowe. Duplicate pairs
Aldeburgh Bridge Club, Aldeburgh. Duplicate pairs
Cringleford Bridge Club, Norwich. Duplicate pairs
Abbeygate Bridge Club, Bury St Edmunds. Duplicate pairs
Saxmundham & District Chess Club, Saxmundham. Club night, social and league chess
Norfolk and Norwich Chess Club, Norwich. Club night, social, training and league chess
Norwich Dons Chess Club, Norwich. Club night, league chess
Broadland Chess Club, Norwich. Club night, casual and league chess
Stowmarket Chess Club, Stowmarket. Club night, social and league chess
Fakenham Chess Club, Fakenham. Club night, casual and league chess
Felixstowe Chess Club, Felixstowe. Club night, social and league chess
Aylsham Library Chess Group, Aylsham. Social chess for adults
Abbeygate Bridge Club, Bury St Edmunds. Relaxed duplicate for beginners and improvers, with occasional short lessons
Ipswich Chess Club, Ipswich. Club night, social and league chess
Woodbridge Chess Club, Woodbridge. Club night, casual and competitive chess in a pub back room
Stowmarket Bridge Club (Onehouse Village Hall), Stowmarket. EBU duplicate pairs
Sudbury Chess Club, Sudbury. Club night, social and league chess
Cavendish Bridge Club, Thurston. Duplicate bridge, informal
Norwich Go Club, Norwich. Club night, casual Go for all levels
Bury St Edmunds Bridge Club, Bury St Edmunds. Duplicate pairs
Brecks & Valleys Chess Club, Attleborough. Club night, relaxed social chess
Ipswich & Kesgrave Bridge Club, Kesgrave, Ipswich. Duplicate pairs
Newmarket Bridge Club, Newmarket. Duplicate pairs
Bury St Edmunds Chess Club, Bury St Edmunds. Club night, social and league chess
North Norfolk Chess Club, Sheringham. Club night, casual and league chess
King's Lynn Chess Club, King's Lynn. Club night, casual and league chess
St Johns Chess Club, Norwich. Club night, casual and league chess
Stansfield Bridge Club, Stansfield. Duplicate bridge
Woolpit Friendly Bridge Group, Woolpit. Social bridge
Stowmarket Bridge Club (St Mary's Hall), Stowmarket. EBU duplicate pairs
North Walsham Library Chess Group, North Walsham. Library chess group, juniors welcome
Wymondham Junior Chess Club, Wymondham. Junior club, grouped by ability
Wymondham Chess Club, Wymondham. Club night, social and league chess
Clare Bridge Club (Lavenham), Lavenham. Relaxed duplicate pairs
Norfolk and Norwich Junior Chess Club, Norwich. Junior club, ages 6 to 18
North Walsham Chess Club, North Walsham. Club session, casual and league chess
The venues with the most regular nights are Abbeygate Bridge Club in Bury St Edmunds (2 nights), Broadland Chess Club in Norwich (2 nights) and Ipswich & Kesgrave Bridge Club in Kesgrave, Ipswich (2 nights). We list 47 venues in all across Norwich, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Tuesdays and Mondays have the most regular sessions. 49 sessions run every week. The Norwich calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 16 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Norfolk and Norwich Chess Club, Norfolk and Norwich Junior Chess Club and Wymondham Junior Chess Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Four regular nights are free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £2.50 and £4. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
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