Aunt Sally is a hugely popular pub game in the county of Oxfordshire and is a thriving sport that has spread to other areas of England in recent times. The idea is simply to knock the Aunt Sally doll cleanly off a swivel on the top of a post by throwing wooden sticks at it. It's an old game that is great fun, whether you're playing in a pub league or less seriously in your back garden!
From Masters Traditional Games, only quality equipment will do. We commission a turner with decades of experience in quality wooden products to make our Aunt Sally sticks and dolls.
Note: Aunt Sally is not suitable for young children. People should stand well clear of the throwing area at all times.
See also: Rules of Aunt Sally.
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The game of Aunt Sally requires a very specific equipment. Below you will find an overview of the different components that make up the whole set:
Aunt Sally Doll
In the old days, the doll used to be dressed up to resemble an old maid, wearing a dress and with her face painted. During Victorian times, clay pipes were placed in the mouth and attached to other parts of the doll. Rather than knocking the doll off its stand, the aim was to break or dislodge the pipes. Our Aunt Sally doll is made from beechwood and finished in a bright, glossy white. It measures approximately 15cm high by 9cm in diameter.
Aunt Sally Swivel
The Aunt Sally swivel-iron arm is essentially a platform where the doll is placed. One end fits to the top of the post and the doll rests on the small round platform at the other end.
Metal pipe – post for Aunt Sally
In the game of Aunt Sally, the bottom of the doll needs to be 30 inches above the ground. The post can be made from any material – sturdy wood, metal… We found that the standard 3/4 inch metal gas pipe makes an ideal post (you just need to ensure the internal diameter is large enough to fit the swivel). Our metal pipe measures 3 feet and 6 inches and works perfectly with the swivel.
Aunt Sally sticks
One of the most important components of the game – the sticks. Players throw these at the doll with the aim of knocking it off. Our Aunt Sally sticks are 18 inches long, 2 inches diameter and made from kiln-dried Beechwood. Whilst the middle weights of 1lb 4oz and 1lb 5oz are most popular, some people may find that these are either too light or too heavy to throw. To ensure everyone can find the right fit, we supply sticks in 5 different weights.
You can learn more about the history of Aunt Sally from The Online Guide to Traditional Games.