Bowling Green

The Located in Blackboy Road, was listed between 1791 and 1839 as just a ropemakers, run by Mrs Hill and later James Hill in the 1822/3 Pigot's Directory. From 1847 to 1871, James Hill carried on the trade as a "Ropemaker and Beer House". This dual use continued and it was renamed the Ropemakers Arms in 1881. The same family were ropemakers for more than 100 years.

In September 1898, the first mention of the Ropemakers Arms by name appears in the Flying Post when an auction of 150 lots of household goods is announced by John S Lucas.

Some trade directory entries show very well how a beerhouse changed into a named public house.

1844 - Hill Jas. rope maker, Hampton buildgs, Black Boy road - Pigot's
1850 - Hill James, Black Boy road - beerhouse, White's.Also listed under Rope & Twine maker.
1902 - 29 & 30 Morgan Simeon, beer retailer - Besley's
1912 - Ropemakers' Arms, Whensley, J., 29 and 30, Blackboy rd - Kelly's
1923 - 29 & 30 Whensley Jn. beer ret - Post Office
1934 - Ropemakers' Arms, Field, S., 29 and 30, Blackboy rd - Besley's
1956 - Ropemakers' Arms Inn, Fredk. J. Nicholls, 29/30 Blackboy rd - Kelly's

The sign shows Drake playing his famous game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe. On July 18, 1588, he was playing a game on Plymouth Hoe when he was informed that the approach of the Spanish Armada. He said "We still have time to finish the game and to thrash the Spaniards, too." The pub name relates to the Exeter Bowling Club green opposite and not Drake. It was named the Bowling Green in December 1987.