Showing posts with label Clacton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clacton. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Skull Point Adventure Golf on Clacton Pier

A look at the Skull Point Adventure Golf course in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.


Skull Point Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

We visited Clacton Pier during our East Anglian Road-Trip in August and while there checked out the Skull Point Adventure Golf course at the No.1 North Sea address.

Skull Point Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
The 18-hole course is spread out over two levels, with some holes indoors and others outside

Skull Point Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
The lucky 19th hole

Skull Point Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Check out the Clacton Pier website for more information.

Skull Point Adventure Golf on Clacton Pier
A Covid-19 sign

Skull Point Adventure Golf was the 972nd course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Friday, October 08, 2021

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

A revisit to the Pavilion Adventure Golf course in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.


Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

We took a look at the Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea during our visit to the town on our East Anglian Road-Trip.

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

We first played the course in May 2009 when it was a 10-hole layout. It was the 94th course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 973 courses since September 2006.

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea
These holes haven't changed much since we first visited


Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea
One of the original holes

On our visit in August the name of the course had changed from Augusta Adventure Golf to Pavilion Adventure Golf and it was a 14-hole course.

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea
This is part of the new additions

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

Pavilion Adventure Golf in Clacton-on-Sea

Visit the Clacton Pavilion website for more information.

Blockbuster Video Express in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

A look at the ghost signs on the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.


QuikDrop box at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

We found some brilliant ghost signs and a QuikDrop box at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea during our trip to the seaside town in August.

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

We had a good idea that the QuikDrop video return box would still be visible on the front of what is now a Tendring Community Clothing charity shop. Partly from our research in advance, and partly because the day before the charity's spokesperson had been interviewed on BBC Look East news outside of the shop and you could clearly see the QuikDrop box there!

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

What we hadn't expected was that the side and front of the shop would still have ghost signs on them! It's wonderful to see these pieces of retail history on display.

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

The inside of the charity shop itself has had very few changes made to it since it was a Blockbuster, with the colour scheme, walls and till desk all looking very Blockbustery!

Inside the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex



Blockbuster Video

Our interest in old Blockbuster Video stores was piqued when I found one close by in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019.

Since then we've found quite a few more signs of the brand on the high streets and retail parks of the UK.

Blockbuster ceased operations in the UK in December 2013. At the start of the year there were 528 Blockbuster locations in the UK. The number dwindled until October when only 264 shops remained. The remaining stores closed on the 16th December that year.

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 Blockbuster stores around the world. There is now just one remaining store open. It's in Bend, Oregon, USA.

Blockbuster Video stores we've visited

Check out the posts about other former Blockbuster Video stores we've been to in:

Thursday, October 07, 2021

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

A visit to the Adventure Golf course at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea.


Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

We swung by the Adventure Golf course at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea during our East Anglian Road-Trip.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

The course opened in May 2016 and replaced the Carpeted Miniature Golf course that had been on the same spot for many many years. We played that layout in May 2009 when it became the 93rd we visited on our travels and revisited in May 2011 and June 2015.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

The Adventure Golf course at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea became the 973rd visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

We're looking forward to a return visit to Clacton and a game there in the future.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Check out the Greensward Cafe and Adventure Golf website for more information.

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea
Rules and regulations at the course

Adventure Golf at the Greensward Cafe in Clacton-on-Sea

Friday, September 17, 2021

Best Price in Clacton & Beyond!

These would've come in handy in the great toilet roll shortage of 2020.


Open 2 You Toilet Roll sign in Clacton

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Lovely Jubbly

We saw this Del Boy advert at Bed Centres 146 in Clacton-on-Sea during our East Anglian road-trip last month.


Del Boy advert at Bed Centres 146 in Clacton-on-Sea
Lovely Jubbly

It's one of a number of homages to Only Fools and Horses we've seen over the years.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Mini Golf at Hutleys Caravan Park in St Osyth

Spotting a Mini Golf course at Hutleys Caravan Park in St Osyth.


My cousin Elaine spotted a new Mini Golf course while in St Osyth recently. It looks like a nice layout.

Mini Golf course at Hutleys Caravan Park in St Osyth. Photo by Elaine Jones, May 2020

Visit the Hutleys Caravan Park website for more information.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Are Clacton-on-Sea and Bognor Regis the worst seasides in the country?

Clacton-on-Sea and Bognor Regis have been voted as the worst seaside resorts in the UK. 


Bognor Regis seafront from the pier
Bognor Regis seafront from the pier

We're big fans of the seaside and have visited many coastal towns and resorts, including Clacton-on-Sea and Bognor Regis, on our minigolf travels over the last 13 years.


Clacton-on-Sea pier from the seafront
Clacton-on-Sea pier from the seafront

Seaside resorts were rated in ten categories in the Which? survey. Clacton-on-Sea and Bognor Regis were both rated poorly for their attractions, peace and quiet, scenery and value for money.


Bognor Regis seafront
Bognor Regis pier from the seafront

Bamburgh, Northumberland was rated as top of the 100 seasides. We haven't been there, but did drive past it on our way to nearby Seahouses as that was more our cup of tea.

Adventure Golf course on Clacton Pier
In 2011 Clacton Pier was home to a pop-up Adventure Golf course

As with most things, it really does depend what you want from a trip to a seaside. If you want a sedate place then Clacton and Bognor are probably not for you, but even saying that I have some nice memories of picnicking in the gardens near the seafront in Clacton and there are some very good spots for a more tranquil wander in Bognor Regis.

Crazy Golf in Bognor Regis
The Crazy Golf course on Waterloo Place in Bognor Regis in 2011

We've been to some seasides that other people rave about and haven't been impressed at all. That could be down to us being us, or it could be because of the time of year we visited, the weather on the day, or a number of other factors.

I've been to seven of the seasides ranked in the top ten. Only one of those, Southwold, would possibly rank in my top ten.

Top ten:

  • Bamburgh
  • Portmeirion
  • Dartmouth
  • North Berwick
  • St Mawes
  • Beer
  • St Andrews
  • Aldeburgh
  • Southwold
  • Tenby


Looking at the bottom ten seaside resorts I've been to all of them, many multiple times. I'd select some of them for my top ten.

Bottom ten:

  • Bognor Regis
  • Clacton-on-Sea
  • Burnham-on-Sea
  • Skegness
  • Fleetwood
  • Weston-Super-Mare
  • Great Yarmouth
  • Margate
  • Morecambe
  • Minehead


A few years ago another poll rated the Lincolnshire seaside resort of Skegness as one of the world's worst holiday destinations, on a par with Pyongyang, North Korea. I disagree with that result. Pyongyang only has one minigolf course, whereas Skegness has ten courses on the seafront so it is head and shoulders above the North Korean city.

Crazy Golf in Bognor Regis
A view of Bognor Regis Pier from the Crazy Golf course

Crazy Golf in Bognor Regis
Emily playing Crazy Golf in Bognor Regis
  
Adventure Golf on Clacton Pier
Playing Adventure Golf on Clacton Pier in 2011

We're looking forward to return visits to both Bognor Regis and Clacton-on-Sea. The towns have new minigolf courses we've yet to play too, an even better reason to go again.

Do you agree with the results of the survey?

Have you been to Clacton-on-Sea or Bognor Regis? What did you think?

What's your favourite / least favourite seaside?

Related blog posts:
Bognor Regis
- Clacton-on-Sea

Friday, July 27, 2018

New Adventure Golf course on Clacton Pier

Skull Point Adventure Golf has opened on Clacton Pier in Essex.


There's a new Adventure Golf course on Clacton Pier

Looking on the Clacton Pier website it claims to be "The most unique All Weather 18 Hole Adventure Golf in the Country." Blimey!


We're looking forward to visiting the new Skull Point Adventure Golf course on our next visit to the seaside resort.

We've actually played minigolf on Clacton Pier before. Back in 2011 there was an Adventure Golf course set-up for the season. It became the 217th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We're now up to 823 course visits.

Adventure Golf course on Clacton Pier
The previous Adventure Golf course to sit on Clacton Pier

Clacton Pier has one of the best postal addresses I've seen. It can be found at No.1 North Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 1QX, UK!

Link:
- Skull Point Adventure Golf website

Sunday, February 18, 2018

New Adventure Golf course heading to Clacton Pier

Clacton Pier in Essex is going to be getting a new indoor and outdoor Adventure Golf course as part of a £4m revamp!

Adventure Golf on Clacton Pier

Back in May 2011 we played a temporary minigolf course on Clacton Pier - it became the 217th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Mini Golf course on Clacton Pier
We love playing minigolf at the seaside and it's brilliant if the course is out to sea too!

The seaside town has a number of minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses so it's ideal for a day trip or staycation.

We're looking forward to a return trip to play the new course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Link:
- Clacton Pier

Related blog posts:
- Clacton
- Clacton Pier
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in Essex

Friday, March 17, 2017

Crazy Golf at Seawick Holiday Park in St Osyth

Details of the Crazy Golf course at Seawick Holiday Park in St Osyth, near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.


My cousins were recently at Seawick Holiday Park St Osyth near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex and sent me some snaps of them playing the Crazy Golf course. It certainly looks like a unique layout!

Crazy Golf course at Seawick Holiday Park in St Osyth, near Clacton, Essex. Photo by Adam Trigg, March 2017
A view of the Crazy Golf course at Seawick Holiday Park

Crazy Golf course at Seawick Holiday Park in St Osyth, near Clacton, Essex. Photo by Adam Trigg, March 2017
I've never played a course laid out on sand before!

Crazy Golf course at Seawick Holiday Park in St Osyth, near Clacton, Essex. Photo by Adam Trigg, March 2017
Adam tells me the sand was very we too. It can't have made for easy putting!

Visit the Seawick Holiday Park website for more details of the Park Holidays venue.

We've visited Clacton-on-Sea a few times on our travels, most recently in 2015, and always enjoy spending time in the seaside town.

Link:
- Seawick Holiday Park website

Related blog posts:
- Essex
- Clacton
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex

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