Anne, If you can get hold of a copy, have a look at Edwin Grey's Life in a Hertfordshire village which covers Harpenden at the end of the 19th Century. Bowling Alley is referred to often but I can't remember it being the kind of place you wouldn't want to go to after dark. It was quite a poor area though, I think. Here's a link to some more info on the book http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/books/books-0/book0005-cottage-life.htm The road's long gone now. Good luck in your search, Elaine Saunders Author : A Book About Pub Names. www.book-about.blogspot.com

I would just like to confirm that a place named Bowling Alley is shown on the nineteenth century O.S. maps of Hertfordhire. It is located in the area now known as Southdown, perhaps a mile from the centre of Harpenden. A quick search threw up many old references, but also one much more recent. On a bus enthusiasts website the 351 bus route is noted as being extended in 1954, from St. Albans to Harpenden, via Bowling Alley. This was quite a surprise and it would be interesting to find out when the name changed. Surely not much later than this. Simon.