Dungeons & Dragons in Pulborough: A Growing Community Adventure

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the world’s most influential tabletop role‑playing game, is enjoying a remarkable surge in popularity across the UK — and Pulborough is now part of that story. With a thriving children’s group already established and a brand‑new adult group due to launch at Macklin’s @The Riverside, local residents of all ages are discovering the creativity, camaraderie and confidence that D&D inspires.

What Dungeons & Dragons Is

At its core, D&D is a collaborative storytelling game. A group of players create characters — heroes, rogues, wizards, adventurers — and work together to navigate a fantasy world guided by a storyteller known as the Dungeon Master. Dice rolls determine success or failure, but imagination drives everything else. The game has no winner; instead, the goal is shared adventure, problem‑solving, and character growth.

Created in 1974 by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, D&D has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon, inspiring video games, films, books and a vast creative community.

A UK and Global Boom

D&D’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years:

• More than 50 million people worldwide count themselves fans, according to Wizards of the Coast’s 2024 anniversary figures.
• Over 85 million people have played at least once in the game’s history.
• In the UK, Eventbrite reports that attendance at D&D events tripled between 2018 and 2023, with more than 11,000 people joining organised sessions over five years.

This growth reflects a broader cultural shift: tabletop role‑playing is now recognised as inclusive, accessible, and beneficial for wellbeing.

Why Young People Love It

Research from UK universities shows that D&D provides young adults with:

• A safer space to explore identity and emotions
• Tools for coping with social or emotional challenges
• Opportunities for growth, confidence‑building and self‑expression
• Improved wellbeing and relationships through regular play

Children and teens often find D&D particularly empowering. It offers structured creativity, teamwork, and a welcoming environment where they can be themselves — or someone entirely different — without judgement.

Benefits for Adults

Adults are embracing D&D for many of the same reasons:

• Friendship and belonging — the game inspires stable, supportive social circles
• Reduced social anxiety — organisers report that D&D “opens the door” for people who find socialising difficult, helping them build confidence gradually
• Communication and empathy — players practise perspective‑taking by inhabiting characters with different backgrounds and values
• Regular social rhythm — weekly sessions become a cherished part of people’s routines, strengthening community bonds

Unlike competitive games, D&D encourages cooperation, shared goals and collective storytelling — ideal for adults seeking meaningful social connection.

D&D in Pulborough: Local Groups at @The Riverside

Pulborough will soon have two thriving D&D groups, both hosted at Macklin’s @The Riverside:

Children’s Group

A well‑established group for young players set up by Neighbourhood Wardens Carol and Lottie meets fortnightly, offering a safe, imaginative and structured environment. With strong safeguarding practices and a welcoming ethos, it’s a place where children can build confidence, creativity and friendships. All places at this group are currently taken.

Adult Group — New for 2026!

Responding to growing local interest, a new adult D&D group will soon be launching @The Riverside. This group is perfect for:

• Complete beginners
• Returning players from earlier editions
• Adults seeking a relaxed, social, creative outlet
• Anyone curious about collaborative storytelling

Sessions will be friendly, inclusive and designed to help newcomers ease into the game. Whether you want to slay dragons, solve mysteries, or simply enjoy a weekly escape from everyday life, the group will offer a warm welcome.

More details coming soon.

Why It Matters for Pulborough

D&D strengthens community ties — something Pulborough values deeply. It brings together people of different ages, backgrounds and interests, creating shared stories and shared memories. For a village with a strong tradition of local engagement, the rise of D&D fits beautifully into the wider landscape of community activity.

Get Involved

If you’re interested in joining either group, Neighbourhood Wardens Carol and Lottie can provide details on session times, availability and how to sign up.