Named one of the strangest in Britain, this Wiltshire pub features its own underground bowling alley and shooting range at the bar.

The George & Dragon on the High Street in Potterne is a 16th century pub with a thatched roof and an abundance of history.

Along with its bowling alley and shooting range, the pub also has a political past, supposedly having a secret underground tunnel to another village used by Oliver Cromwell in the 1600s.

Now a Wadworth & Co watering hole, the location has been run by landlord Nigel Ball since July of last year.

Swindon Advertiser: Nigel and Lorraine have been at the pub since July of last year.Nigel and Lorraine have been at the pub since July of last year. (Image: The George & Dragon)

“It's not bad being the landlord but it is quite lonely as it's not as busy as we’d like it to be,” he said.

“It’s a typical village pub not supported by the local community enough.

“Personally I have managed around ten pubs after swapping from a forklift salesman about a decade ago because as I fancied a change.”

The 63-year-old has his hands full with an interesting pub this time around though given that The George & Dragon is the only pub in the world with a shooting range at the bar.

“We have a .22 shooting gallery at the bar which gets used on a weekly basis,” said Nigel.

Swindon Advertiser: The George & Dragon is known locally for its Sunday carvery.The George & Dragon is known locally for its Sunday carvery. (Image: The George & Dragon)

“This was started in 1906 by a member of the royalty and has helped us get listed in the ‘Strangest Pubs in Britain’ book.

“We also have an underground skittle alley with two teams in the Winter and Summer League so it gets used weekly.”

In addition to the unique visible features, the pub also apparently has a secret passage underneath the property.

“The village of Potterne is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and at the pub there is supposedly a tunnel leading to a different pub in the next village,” said Nigel.

“It is known that this tunnel was used by Oliver Cromwell.”

Swindon Advertiser: The pub has been in Potterne since the 16th century.The pub has been in Potterne since the 16th century. (Image: Google Maps)

Fast forward to the present and the pub is part of Wadworth & Co and has even recently received a Cask Marqe certificate of excellence for serving cask ales.

“The award is great as it is always nice to be told that you’re doing something right,” said Nigel.

“We sell three of Wadworth’s draft ales and we also do a Sunday carvery which proves to be very popular with a lot of repeat visits.

“It is a very random pub but we love it.”