Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts

Friday, March 08, 2024

New crazy golf courses in the UK

Information about new adventure golf, crazy golf and miniature golf courses in the UK.


Information about new adventure golf, crazy golf and miniature golf courses in the UK

For information about new minigolf, crazy golf, and adventure golf courses opening in the UK take a look at the posts with the New course tag here on the Ham & Egger Files minigolf blog.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour


Up to Saturday 30th December 2023 we had visited a total of 1,044 miniature golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. 997 of these have been in the British Isles.

Visiting the Crazy Golf course at the end of the Pier in Southend-on-Sea
Visiting the Crazy Golf course at the end of the Pier in Southend-on-Sea

Our minigolfing adventures began on the 30th September 2006 and in that time we've been able to play a total of 573 courses. Many locations have been found to be abandoned, closed, out-of-season or derelict on our initial visit. Luckily some courses that were closed on our original visit have since been played. And there are some course we've revisited and replayed many many times!

When we originally set off to visit as many courses as possible the target list was 600 in the British Isles. We've still got around 50 of those original courses to visit.

Only two of those original courses were indoor venues. Now the indoor game is booming and you can find minigolf courses indoors at shopping centres, retail parks, and in town and city centres around the country.

Together with my brother Christopher - a charter member of the tour - and his family, we've visited a total of 1,090 courses.

Our travels have been recognised by the Guinness World Records, and I'm a record holder for "Most miniature golf courses visited" (902 at the time of going to press). Check out the Guinness World Records 2024 book to see a lot more minigolf records too!

Check out the full list of courses we've visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Tuesday, January 02, 2024

New minigolf courses in the UK

Information about new adventure golf, crazy golf and miniature golf courses in the UK.


Information about new adventure golf, crazy golf and miniature golf courses in the UK

There are lots of new minigolf courses being built, in development or planned to open in the UK.

Minigolf is an incredibly popular activity for all ages and there are new courses opening up all the time in a wide-range of outdoor and indoor locations.

Whereas the game has traditionally been a seaside pastime, it has grown to be a game enjoyed by people in more and more towns and cities - with many catering to a late night audience.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour


Up to Saturday 30th December 2023 we had visited a total of 1,044 miniature golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. 997 of these have been in the British Isles.

Moby Golf in Romford, Essex
Moby Golf in Romford, Essex

Our minigolfing adventures began on the 30th September 2006 and in that time we've been able to play a total of 573 courses. Many locations have been found to be abandoned, closed, out-of-season or derelict on our initial visit. Luckily some courses that were closed on our original visit have since been played. And there are some course we've revisited and replayed many many times!

When we originally set off to visit as many courses as possible the target list was 600 in the British Isles. We've still got around 50 of those original courses to visit.

Only two of those original courses were indoor venues. Now the indoor game is booming and you can find minigolf courses indoors at shopping centres, retail parks, and in town and city centres around the country.

Together with my brother Christopher - a charter member of the tour - and his family, we've visited a total of 1,089 courses.

Our travels have been recognised by the Guinness World Records, and I'm a record holder for "Most miniature golf courses visited" (902 at the time of going to press). Check out the Guinness World Records 2024 book to see a lot more minigolf records too!

Check out the full list of courses we've visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

New minigolf courses


For information about new minigolf, crazy golf, and adventure golf courses opening in the UK take a look at the posts with the New course tag here on the Ham & Egger Files minigolf blog.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

A sign of the times

A sign from the 2021 fuel shortage crisis.


Petrol shortage sign at Texaco in Cale Green, Stockport
What a sign!

They didn't have any petrol there.

Monday, June 22, 2020

How to play minigolf - in three languages

Whereabouts on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour did we find this sign?


How to play minigolf
How to play minigolf

So wird bahnengolf gespielt

Jouer au minigolf

Monday, June 01, 2020

Mini Golf at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

A look at the Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset.


We visited our 601st minigolf course five years ago today.

Mini Golf at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset
The minigolf course at Lister Gardens is a unique and interesting layout, it's one of Emily's all-time favourite courses

It was one of 62 courses we visited on our two week holiday in the South West of England.

We've now been to 948 courses since September 2006.

When we began there were 600 courses in the UK.

Check out the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Newsletter archive and sign-up to receive future editions

Friday, February 21, 2020

New minigolf courses in the UK

Details of new miniature golf courses opening in the UK.


Details of new adventure golf, crazy golf and mini-golf courses opening in the UK

Do you want to have a guess where the next new minigolf course will be opening in the UK?


So far this year new miniature golf courses have been announced to be opening / have opened in Walsall, Pembrey, Crawley, Northampton, Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne, Norwich, Hull (two venues), Rochdale, York, Leeds (two venues), King's Cross London, Harrow in London, Reading, Milton Keynes and Glasgow.


There's also going to be a new adventure golf course at Les Mielles Golf & Country Club in Jersey.

If you know of a new minigolf course opening do let us know in the comments.


If you are interested in installing or building a minigolf course and would like to receive specialist help, Richard Gottfried is able to provide experience, knowledge and support for all aspects of minigolf business, at any stage of the process. Get in touch to find out more.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Charity Darts Night - England vs. Stockport

England vs. Stockport Challenge Match at Stockport County FC.

Next week sees a special darts challenge match take place at Stockport County FC, with England taking on a Stockport select team in a charity darts night in aid of Chris 'Millzy' Mills.

England vs. Stockport Challenge Match at Stockport County FC
Doors open at 7pm, for a 7.30pm start

It looks like it's going to be a cracking night of darts with the England vs. Stockport match contested in a 10 vs. 10 format and featuring some legendary darts players including Tony O'Shea, Scott Waites, Lisa Ashton, Darryl Fitton, Dean Winstanley, Lorraine Winstanley, Nathan Aspinall and more!

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Craz-e-Golf at Skegness

I picked up this great minigolf card at a Postcard Fair in Stockport. The course in the photo is in the same location as England's first Crazy Golf course.

Craz-e-Golf at Skegness by E.T.W Dennis & Sons Ltd S.2142 postally used on 21 June 1977
Craz-e-Golf is an interesting name for the game and not one we've seen before

Craz-e-Golf at Skegness by E.T.W Dennis & Sons Ltd S.2142 postally used on 21 June 1977
The card was posted to Liverpool from Skegness on the 21st June 1977 (a Tuesday). Note the nice postcard cancellation on the card too. I wonder if May played the Crazy Golf while in Skeggy? 

The first Crazy Golf course in the country opened on South Parade in Skegness in 1926.

The first Crazy Golf course in the country opened on South Parade in Skegness in 1926.

In May 2015 the course became the 363rd played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness
A more recent look at the Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Related blog posts:
- Crazy Golf on Skegness' South Parade
- The Original Crazy Golf in Skegness
- Postcards

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Mini Golf in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Playing the Lister Gardens Mini Golf course in Lyme Regis.


Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

The 601st course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was the Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset.

Minigolf explorers Richard and Emily Gottfried at the Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

The 18-hole Mini Golf layout would be the second played on our tour of the South West of England and the 365th played overall on our tour.

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

It's a great course, with some brilliant views of the seafront and The Cobb harbour area.

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

In our match on the Lister Gardens Mini Golf course on the 1st June 2015 Emily scored a very good 36 - hitting one ace and dropping only one shot - to my 40 for the win.

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset
Emily, the Lyme Regis Champion

We had to have another stroll along the prom before we left the seaside town on the 2nd June and on our walk back to the car I got my wish of a rematch. This time I won (38 to 40).

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset
Winning at the second attempt

During the summer months the course is open from 9am to 9pm, and is just £2.50 a round for adults.

Mini Golf in Lyme Regis

The course isn't particularly well signposted from the seafront, and can't be seen if you're below it. But if you're in Lyme Regis do check it out. As well as being called Lister Gardens the area is also known as Longmoor Gardens.



Check out the Lyme Regis Town Council website for more information, opening times and prices. We received great service from the staff on duty on our visits and Emily was very pleased to hear that her score of 36 was good enough to get her name on the Wall of Fame in the kiosk!

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset
Emily in action on the course

It was nice to be able to buy a postcard that showed the course. The Salmon Cameracolour Post Card shows 'The Cobb from Longmoor Gardens' and we saw them for sale in the Tourist Information Centre and the Post Office.

Mini Golf course at Lister Gardens in Lyme Regis, Dorset

There's also a grass Putting course in Lister Gardens, but on our visit it wasn't set out to play. It looked like a two-tier course and hopefully we'll give it a go on a return visit to Lyme Regis.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Mini Golf in the South West of England

Link:
- Mini Golf on the Lyme Regis Town Council website

Videos:
- Crazy Golf in Lyme Regis, Dorset
- Mini Golf in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Another Luton

Visiting our third 'Luton'.

The village sign for Luton in Devon
Luton in Devon

On our recent holiday we visited Devon and en route to Teignmouth from Dawlish we had to pop into one of the other places in the UK called 'Luton'. This one is near Newton Abbot.

All of the road signs on the way said Luton was 1 and a half miles away!

Look! There's another one

And another!

One of the two approach roads to Luton in Devon
One of the two approach roads to Luton in Devon. Heading away from this Luton on the way to Teignmouth we had to drive across a golf course - that was interesting

The village sign was partially obscured by a hedge and stinging nettles. It was purely by chance that we spotted it too. Driving into this Luton we didn't see any signs, but after we'd driven through the village I did a three point turn near a farm on Fore Street and there it was!

Lutonians Richard and Emily Gottfried in Luton, Devon
'Home' again

Back in April 2012 we visited Luton in Chatham, Kent. That's little more than a street. We drove by that Luton again last year.

The only road sign we saw for Luton in Kent showed it was one mile away
The only road sign we saw for Luton in Kent showed it was one mile away

There's another Luton in Devon, near Honiton. We didn't have time to visit on our road-trip, but next time we're down that way we're going to pop along for a look.

I'm originally from Oxford and on a road-trip to Scotland and back in 2012 we spotted an Oxford in Northumberland.

Related blog posts:
- Luton

Link:
- Luton, Devon on Wikipedia

Friday, May 22, 2015

The Original Crazy Golf in Skegness

A revisit to the Original Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness.

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness
A view of England's first Crazy Golf course location

In May 2011 we visited Skegness as part of a road trip along the Lincolnshire coast. In May 2015 we returned for some more fun and games in the seaside resort.

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness
At the Crazy Golf course on South Parade

When we arrived on the Friday afternoon we had a wander along the seafront to see what had changed with the minigolf courses. Unfortunately the Crazy Golf course on South Parade was once again closed.

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness
Recreating my look of sadness from May 2011

The course is noted as England's first-ever Crazy Golf course. There's a relatively new sign at Grand Parade advertising the course and the date it was established is listed as 1926.

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness
The new sign for the old Crazy Golf course

On our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour we've now visited 598 courses, playing 363 of them. As well as the visit to England's first course, we've played England's first Pitch & Putt (opened in Southsea in 1914) and the world's first Miniature Golf course (the Himalayas in St Andrews was created in 1867).

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness
There has been Crazy Golf on this site since 1926

On the Saturday the course was once again closed, so we played an impromptu Aces Competition on National Miniature Golf Day using an 11-Wood that Chris Jones had just bought in a charity shop. The course became the 363rd played on our tour.

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness
Finally having a play on the course

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness
Chris Jones having a putt on an obstacle that wasn't there in 2011, nor I doubt in 1926

As we were leaving on the Sunday we noticed it was open!

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness
The course was open on the Sunday

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness
People having a round on the course

Check out more photos of the 12-hole course.

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness

Related blog posts:
Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf Courses on the Lincolnshire Coast