Bridge, whist and bowls holidays at Marsham Court

We’ve hosted card and bowls holidays for years, and the three work quite differently. Whist runs on fixed dates you book as an individual. Bowls is set up for clubs bringing their own group. Bridge does both, though the organised holidays are run by someone else entirely. Knowing which one you’re looking at saves a phone call to the wrong number, so here’s how each is put together.

The three compared

Whist holidays

These are five-night breaks run here at the hotel, and they’re the most straightforward of the three to join if you’re coming on your own or as a couple.

The next one runs from 12 to 17 October 2026 at £89 per person per night, £445 in total. Looking further ahead, there’s 17 to 22 January 2027 at £68 per person per night, £340 in total, then 4 to 9 April at £92, and 10 to 15 October at £89.

Everything’s included in that: a full English buffet-style breakfast each morning, a three-course table d’hôte dinner with tea or coffee each evening, an en-suite room, a welcome drinks reception on the first night, afternoon tea or coffee with biscuits, and cash prizes each evening.

Whist is played every evening after dinner, and there are optional afternoon games in a Rainbow format with a £2 entry. Whist holidays can’t be booked online, so ring reservations on 01202 552111 or download the booking form from our whist page.

Bridge holidays

The organised bridge holidays here are directed and hosted by Gayle, Colin and David through Guaranteed Events, and 2027 dates cover 11 to 16 April, 1 to 6 June, 25 to 30 July, 19 to 24 September and 3 to 8 October.

They’re properly run rather than casual: morning seminars or workshops, bridge sessions morning and evening, pre-dealt boards, hand records and Bridgemate electronic scoring, with EBU master points, all bridge fees, prizes and competitions included.

One important thing. These holidays can only be booked with Guaranteed Events, not with us directly, so ring them on 01656 747700 for dates and availability rather than reception. Details are on our bridge page.

Bringing your own club

If you run a bridge club or a bowls club, this is the arrangement most groups use, and it’s booked directly with our events team.

Bowls groups can come at any time of year, indoor or outdoor, and we’ll work around your fixtures with flexible dining times. Carpet bowls can be set up by prior arrangement if you’d like something in-house. Bridge groups get private use of their playing venue.

The organiser package is generous either way: free places at 31, 51, 71 and so on, a welcome Bucks Fizz reception on the first night, a complimentary sea view upgrade for the organiser, and free parking, including coach parking. Bowls groups also get complimentary room hire of the banquet suite for one night for a private presentation dinner, and a trophy presented to the organiser.

Catering extras such as tea and coffee, buffet lunches, ploughman’s and sandwich buffets are all available at a per-person rate, arranged before you arrive rather than on the day. Our team will price these up with your quote. There’s more on our bowls page.

The rooms you’d be playing in

Which one you’re given depends on numbers and what else is on, so it’s worth asking about the specific room when you enquire, particularly if table layout matters for your format.

Where you are

We’re on the East Cliff, a short stroll from the pier, the beaches and the gardens, which matters more than it sounds when you’ve a free afternoon between sessions. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum is immediately opposite the hotel, so there’s somewhere to go without organising anything.

Planning a break or a club trip? For whist, ring reservations on 01202 552111. For a bridge or bowls group, our events team is on 01202 446644 or events@marshamcourthotel.co.uk. For the organised bridge holidays, it’s Guaranteed Events on 01656 747700.