Croquet

We’ve brought the timeless game of croquet to the lawn at Symonds Yat Rock Café! With traditional wooden mallets and colourful balls, this classic British garden game is perfect for a relaxed afternoon by the river. It’s simple to pick up, great fun for all ages, and ideal for families, friends, or friendly competition.

How to Play Croquet (Made Simple)

Set-Up

• Arrange 6 to 9 hoops (wickets) in a loop or zigzag pattern on the grass, with a starting and finishing stake at either end.
• Each player chooses a coloured ball and a matching mallet.

Players

• Best played with 2 to 4 players (or more in teams).
• Play follows the colour order: blue → red → black → yellow.

Taking a Turn

1. Use your mallet to hit your ball towards the first hoop.
2. If you pass through the correct hoop in the right direction, you earn an extra shot.
3. If you hit another player’s ball (a “roquet”), you earn two bonus shots:
   • One “croquet shot” where you place your ball next to the one you hit, then strike both.
   • Followed by one more “continuation shot”.

Winning the Game

• The winner is the first player or team to hit their ball through all the hoops in the correct sequence and then strike the final stake.