Guess the Adventure Golf course location...

Where in the world was this adventure golf course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour?

Crazy Golf at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island

A look at the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island, Essex.

Last week I asked the question "Where in the world was this crazy golf course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour?".

The answer was the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course at Fantasy Island on Canvey Island in Essex.

At the time I visited and played the course in April 2009 it was a 9-hole layout - it had originally been an 18-hole course. We revisited the course in 2011.

It's now a lost course. However, Fantasy Island is still home to a crazy golf course - one we're yet to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Find out more on the Fantasy Island Canvey Island Facebook Page.

National Miniature Golf Day - Saturday 9th May

Saturday 9th May is National Miniature Golf Day 2026.

Where on Earth will you be playing?

Putting on the Moon at Mr Mulligan's Space Golf course in Newcastle upon Tyne, England in 2018

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.

• National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2026 that will be Saturday 9th May.

• The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2026 the 21st falls on a Monday.

Invader street art in Paris, France

Finding some of the Space Invader street art in Paris.

Emily was in Paris last month and while there managed to spot a few Invader street art pieces while walking around.

Invader around the world.

To date the French street artist Invader has created 4,382 Invaders in 87 territories around the world!

Invader was here - in the UK.

Here in the UK Invader has invaded Manchester, London and Newcastle (and a bit of Gateshead) and we've managed to find a few of his pieces on trips to the cities.

Find out more.

Check out the Invader website for more information.

Link

• Invader

Related blog posts

• Space Invaders street art
• Invader
• Paris

This Saturday is National Miniature Golf Day

Saturday 9th May is National Miniature Golf Day 2026.

Playing the Championship Adventure Golf course in New Brighton, Wallasey, Wirral, Merseyside on National Miniature Golf Day 2017

Will you be playing a game to celebrate?

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.

• National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2026 that will be Saturday 9th May.
• The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2026 the 21st falls on a Monday.

A view of Hastings Adventure Golf from West Hill

A view of Hastings Adventure Golf from West Hill in Hastings, East Sussex.

A view of Hastings Adventure Golf from West Hill in Hastings, East Sussex in March 2013

Hastings Adventure Golf is home to three 18-hole outdoor minigolf courses - an Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf layout, an Adventure Golf course, and a Pirate Golf layout.

We've been to Hastings Adventure Golf a lot on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and to play in many many many minigolf, adventure golf & crazy golf tournaments over the years.

Find out more on the Hastings Adventure Golf website.

Related blog posts:

• Hastings
• Hastings Adventure Golf

OK Buster - Book-Buster in Hastings

A look at an old Blockbuster Video shop in Hastings, East Sussex.

We spotted this old Blockbuster Video store in Hastings while in the seaside town for a minigolf tournament. The former video shop had been turned into a book store called Book-Buster.

Book-Buster former Blockbuster Video store in Hastings in October 2013

Check out Book-Buster on Facebook for more information.

Visiting Blockbuster Video stores.

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 Blockbuster Video stores around the world. 500+ of which were in England, Scotland and Wales. Interestingly in Northern Ireland the Xtra-Vision brand was used by the owners in-line with the Republic of Ireland.

The last Blockbuster Video shop ceased trading in the UK in December 2013.

Amazingly we've been able to find traces of the brand at 29 former store locations. This has ranged from QuikDrop boxes to parking signage to full shopfronts!

Posts about former Blockbuster Video stores we've been to:

• Abingdon, Oxfordshire
• Ashton, Bristol
• Barnsley, South Yorkshire
• Basingstoke, Hampshire
• Billingham, Teesside
• Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester
• Chester, Cheshire
• Chorley, Lancashire
• Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
• Colne, Lancashire
• Failsworth, Manchester
• Fallowfield, Manchester
• Felixstowe, Suffolk
• Filton, Bristol
• Great Moor, Stockport, Greater Manchester
• Hastings, East Sussex
• Leigh, Greater Manchester
• Luton, Bedfordshire
• Marple, Greater Manchester
• Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire
• Nuneaton, Warwickshire
• Oldham, Greater Manchester
• Prescot, Lancashire
• Shanklin, Isle of Wight
• Southampton, Hampshire
• Telford, Shropshire
• Watford, Hertfordshire
• Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
• Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
• Wythenshawe, Manchester

Related blog posts:

• Blockbuster Video
• Hastings
• Retail

The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth, Dorset

Looking back at The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth, Dorset.

I visited and played The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth on the 11th October in both 2008 and 2009 while in town for the Weymouth Open Adventure Golf tournament at the Pirate Adventure Golf course at the nearby Sea Life Centre.

It's the only time I've seen a Flintstones-themed miniature golf course on my travels.

The Rules of The Flintstones Crazy Golf

Photos of The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth in October 2008.

Photos of The Flintstones Crazy Golf course at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth in October 2009.

The Flintstones Crazy Golf course in Weymouth was the 77th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in October 2008. It's long gone now.

The Flintstones Crazy Golf course is almost as distant a memory as prehistoric times! 

Dino Adventure Golf at Broadland Sands Holiday Park in Corton

A look at the Dino Adventure Golf course at Broadland Sands Holiday Park in Corton near Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Many thanks to our friend Sophia Cook for sending us more snaps of the Dino Adventure Golf course at Broadland Sands Holiday Park in Corton near Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Sophia and her family stayed at the holiday park last summer and sent us photos then too.

Visit the Broadland Sands Holiday Park pages on the Park Holidays website for more information about the venue.

Adventure Golf at Ayr Pavilion in Ayr, Scotland

The adventure golf course at Ayr Pavilion in Ayr, Scotland has had a refurbishment.

The adventure golf course at Ayr Pavilion is a 12-hole outdoor layout.

Visit the Ayr Pavilion website for more information.

We played the old version of the course at Ayr Pavilion on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when it was known as Mini Championship Golf at Pirate Pete's in 2014. Back then it was a 9-hole course. Looking at the photos on the Ayr Pavilion Facebook page the new course is more than a refurbishment as it looks like a whole new course.

Crazy Golf at Caird Park in Dundee, Scotland

There are plans for a crazy golf course to be created at Caird Park in Dundee, Scotland.

A new crazy golf course could be created as part of a new leisure facility at Caird Park in Dundee.

Movement Park is the organisation behind the plans for the former golf course.

Check out the Movement Park website for more information.

Star Wars Mini Golf

Today is Star Wars Day - May the 4th be with you.

That's no moon, that's a Star Wars themed hole at Mulligans Crazy Golf at Jarman Park in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

Related blog posts:

• Star Wars

May the 4th be with you

Happy Star Wars Day!

Related blog posts:

• Star Wars

Happy Star Wars Day

May the Fourth be with you.

Jabba The Putt at Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf at Level Preston

This month is Coeliac Awareness Month

May is Coeliac Awareness Month.

Find out more on the Coeliac UK website.

What is Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac Disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In Coeliac Disease the immune system mistakes substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks them. This can trigger a number of painful, horrible, stressful and uncomfortable symptoms.

In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition.

Living a gluten free life

I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease 18 years ago. And so began my journey into the gluten free world.

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

While having a life-long condition such as Coeliac Disease can be a pain - and horrible if I 'get glutened' - having the disease has had some positives. I've met great people since my diagnosis and have made some brilliant friends who I've met through Coeliac groups. I've also blogged a lot about living with the condition and the great Free From food & drink I've found since 2008.

For more information on Coeliac Disease visit the NHS Choices and Coeliac UK websites.

Next Saturday is National Miniature Golf Day

Saturday 9th May is National Miniature Golf Day 2026.

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.

National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2026 that will be Saturday 9th May.

The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2026 the 21st falls on a Monday.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

I published my minigolf marketing ebook - The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing - nine years ago today.

My ebook to help minigolf players better market themselves, their clubs, tournaments and courses is available to purchase from Amazon.

Don't worry if you don't have a Kindle as you can download the Kindle App on iOS, Android, Mac & PC.

Minigolf Marketing

As a minigolfer with over a decade of experience as a tournament competitor and 20+ of experience in marketing and communications I designed the guide so that anyone interested or involved in minigolf could help promote the game. It's a niche title, but an audience and subject I know a lot about.

Writing the book was brilliant and enabled me to bring two areas of my life together. I've worked in marketing since 2003 and have played minigolf since I was a child. Stepping up to compete on the national minigolf tour circuit and in international tournaments opened my eyes to the potential of the game.

I’ve also had the honour of serving on the committees of the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) and the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF).

Minigolf is a sport for all. People of all ages, sexes, backgrounds and abilities can pick up a putter and play the game.

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Emily and I have visited 1,116 courses in the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK. We've got 39 from that original list left to visit.

However, they've been joined by hundreds more new courses opening up across the UK, making our travels never-ending!

The minigolf boom continues

The game is really booming and new courses are being announced all the time.

100+ new courses are being created each year - some are on old sites / locations, some are completely new venues, while others are in planning / development, or under construction.

There are also quite a few other adventure golf, crazy golf and minigolf courses that are short-term 'pop-ups', some of which have been used as proof of concept businesses and developed into permanent courses. 

The world of minigolf has a huge amount of interesting and fun stories to tell and positive aspects to highlight to potential players, the media, sponsors and the wider sporting community.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing gives federations, associations, courses, clubs and our fellow players ideas, inspiration and support in their marketing efforts.

Much of the guidance could also be applied to a number of other sports clubs and organisations to help raise their profile and boost memberships.

Minigolf consultancy

As a marketing professional I use my extensive knowledge and skills in supporting and promoting the game I enjoy as a hobby, a competitive sport and a leisure activity.

My marketing activity sees me work across the minigolf industry, from traditional British seaside crazy golf courses, to new inland adventure golf layouts, competitive socialising venues and within retailtainment.

My involvement in the world of minigolf includes blogging, media relations, sponsorship, course design, advice and consultancy, content generation, digital marketing and new technology, event organisation and promotion, and participation in tournaments around the world.

I have consulted on a number of minigolf business concepts in the UK and USA including Princess Parade Crazy Golf in Blackpool; the Filwood Fantastic Mini Golf Club in Knowle West, Bristol; Tea Green Golf in Luton; Burray Crazy Golf in Orkney; Prestwick Putting and Crazy Golf; Portaputt Crazy Golf; Aces Minigolf Gloucester; Southend Pier Crazy Golf; Knaresborough Mini Golf; Putting at the Kiosk in Bedford; Visionary Crazy Golf at the London Design Festival, and The Big Mini Golf Tour in Great Yarmouth.

As a volunteer I served three terms on the Executive Committee of the British Minigolf Association and was a member of the World Minigolf Sport Federation’s Marketing and Media Committee for six years.

As a consultant I contributed to the Guinness World Records 2024.

And this blog contains over 6,700 posts that have attracted 8.6 million page views since 2006.

Buy The Minigolfer’s Guide to Marketing ebook on Amazon.

Guess the Crazy Golf course location...

Where in the world was this crazy golf course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour?

Minigolf at Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields in Motspur Park, Greater London

A look at the minigolf course at Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields in Motspur Park, Greater London.

Last week I asked the question "Where in the world was this crazy golf course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour?".

The answer was the minigolf course at Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields in Motspur Park, Greater London.

The minigolf course at Sir Joseph Hood Park in Motspur Park, Greater London was the 81st played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we played it in March 2009.

Devil's Island Adventure Golf at M&D's Scotland's Theme Park

There's an adventure golf course at M&D's Scotland's Theme Park.

M&D's Scotland's Theme Park is home to Devil's Island Adventure Golf.

Find out more about Devil's Island Adventure Golf on the M&D's Scotland's Theme Park website.

Today is National Crazy Pool Awareness Day

Today (Tuesday 28th April) is National Crazy Pool Awareness Day!

Tuesday 28th April marks 'National Crazy Pool Awareness Day'.

Today is the second-annual National Crazy Pool Awareness Day.

What is Crazy Pool?

The indoor game found at Roxy Ball Room locations is a cross between crazy golf and pool. Played with a pool cue and a golf ball you need to tackle a variety of obstacles on the felt covered tables.

National Crazy Pool Awareness Day was created by the team at Roxy Leisure.

You can find Crazy Pool tables and courses at 13 of Roxy's 19 venues. They are:

1. Birmingham (Victoria Square)
2. Bristol (Union Street)
3. Edinburgh (Rose Street)
4. Leeds (Boar Lane)
5. Leeds (Merrion Street) - the original Crazy Pool course at this venue has recently been updated.
6. Leicester (Humberstone Gate)
7. Liverpool (Hanover Street)
8. London (St Mary Axe)
9. Manchester (Arndale)
10. Manchester (Deansgate)
11. Nottingham (The Cornerhouse)
12. Sheffield (Charter Square)
13. York (The Stonebow)

Playing Crazy Pool.

We've played several of the Crazy Pool courses at Roxy venues on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Crazy Pool at King Pins too.

Roxy Ball Room's sister brand King Pins is also home to a Crazy Pool course at the White Rose Centre venue in Leeds.

Check out the Roxy Leisure website for more information about the brand's venues and games.

Link:

• Roxy Leisure

Related blog posts:

• Crazy Pool
• Roxy Leisure
• Roxy Ball Room
• King Pins

Crazy Golf at Chasewater Country Park in Staffordshire

A look at the crazy golf course at Chasewater Country Park in Staffordshire.

Last week I asked the question "Where in the world was this crazy golf course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour?".

The answer was Chasewater Country Park in Staffordshire, England.

The crazy golf course at Chasewater Country Park was the 777th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we swung by in September 2017.