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All forms of Skittles (except Table Skittles) feature projectiles being propelled from one end of an alley in an effort to knock down nine pins stood in a square at the other end. That is about all that many of the games do have in common, though, and over the years, Skittles developed regional variations in skittle size and shape, skittle alley length, use of a kingpin, size and shape of the balls/cheeses and the rules began to vary quite radically across England.  (From Skittles - History and Useful Information)
 

The Game  Mostly limited to certain counties in the UK

Rules  Gloucestershire Skittles  rules, alley layout  and brief history
  Masters Games - skittles Rules; Traditional West Country and Long Ally (the first 25 feet or so from the bowlers mark can be cobbles or any other rough ground because the ball or cheese never strikes this surface); Play details

History

 Origin of Skittles from Masters Games
Pepys' Diary - Ninepins - discussion around ninepins mentioned in Samuel Pepys' Diary Monday, 23 April 1660 including: - "The Kingpin" -The centre pin of the diamond of 9 pins literally the 'main character'.
 "there is a picture in the pyramids of people throwing balls/stones at sticks stuck upright in the sand"
Skittles Online Guide; "There are two 14th century manuscripts which show a game called club Kayles (from the French "quilles" or skittles) and which depict a skittles game in which one skittle is bigger, differently shaped, and in most cases positioned so as to be the most difficult to knock over" Read on.....
Breugle - included some form of Skittles in his 'Young Folk at Play' painting
  Brief History of London Skittles "Some maintain that coloured pins were used, denoting different members of the Royal Court and each having differing values. Others show evidence of Low Country origin, such as 'Dutch pins' or games akin to 'Kegel' from Germany and 'Quilles' from France. Both the objects thrown and the objects hit vary from the thigh bones of various animals to logs of wood ('loggats' in Shakespeare). London Skittles...."
  Pool Table version - 5 Skittles - message board information
  Simple Skittles - quick indoor fun for cubs etc; setting it up and playing

General Information

National, District and City Sites

Table Skittles  
  The ball is on a chain and is swung towards the pins. Played in several pubs around England