Showing posts with label Derelict. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Derelict. Show all posts

Sunday, December 15, 2024

The abandoned minigolf course on Bournemouth's Exeter Road

A look at the derelict minigolf course on Exeter Road in Bournemouth.


The abandoned minigolf course on Bournemouth's Exeter Road

Back in June 2009 we found a derelict minigolf course in Bournemouth and when we revisited in July 2013 it was still there. On Emily's recent trip to the seaside town she found it was still in place.

The abandoned minigolf course on Bournemouth's Exeter Road

The former 18-hole course is on Exeter Road and next to the cafe/restaurant.

The abandoned minigolf course on Bournemouth's Exeter Road

The course is very similar in design to the busy course that can be found over the road in the Lower Gardens and the championship course in the Boscombe Chine Gardens, though in an entirely unplayable state.

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Crazy Golf at Higher Bebington Park

The Crazy Golf course at Higher Bebington Park in Birkenhead on the Wirral peninsula is being renovated.


Crazy Golf course at Higher Bebington Recreation Ground
Crazy Golf at Higher Bebington Park

The team at Love Bebington have started the refurbishment of the abandoned Crazy Golf course at Higher Bebington Park in Birkenhead.

We visited the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in July 2017.

Crazy Golf course at Higher Bebington Recreation Ground
Hole 3

The 15-hole course is a unique layout and we thought it looked like it'd be very interesting to play.

Crazy Golf course at Higher Bebington Recreation Ground
Hole 4 is a long one

Crazy Golf course at Higher Bebington Recreation Ground
Half way up hole 4

Crazy Golf course at Higher Bebington Recreation Ground
The green of hole 4


Crazy Golf course at Higher Bebington Recreation Ground
Hole 5 - a dogleg

Good luck to the Love Bebington team with their efforts on the Crazy Golf course at Higher Bebington Park.

It'll be nice to revisit the course and actually have a game there in the future.


Check out the Love Bebington pages on Facebook and Instagram to follow the progress of the course refurb.


Friday, August 30, 2024

Closed Crazy Golf at Forfar Loch Country Park

The old Crazy Golf course at Forfar Loch Country Park in Forfar, Angus, Scotland is being removed.


The course has been unused for several years.

It's always a shame to hear about minigolf courses closing.

The Crazy Golf course at Forfar Loch Country Park was on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour 'To Visit' list and it looks like this will soon become a lost course.

Friday, July 19, 2024

Abandoned Minigolf course in San Antonio, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain

A look at the abandoned minigolf course in San Antonio, Puerto Del Carmen.


Abandoned Minigolf course in San Antonio, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote

Here's a look at the old minigolf course in San Antonio. It's a course Emily went to while on a holiday to Lanzarote back in May 2022.

Abandoned Minigolf course in San Antonio, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote

Abandoned Minigolf course in San Antonio, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote

The course was the 989th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Abandoned Minigolf course in San Antonio, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote

Abandoned Minigolf course in San Antonio, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote

Abandoned Minigolf course in San Antonio, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote

Abandoned Minigolf course in San Antonio, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote

Check out the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list for more information and links to courses we've visited since 2006.


Abandoned Minigolf course in San Antonio, Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote

Abandoned Minigolf course at Calle Las Acacias in Teguise, Lanzarote, Spain

A look at the abandoned minigolf course at Calle Las Acacias in Teguise, Lanzarote.


Abandoned Minigolf course at Calle Las Acacias in Teguise, Lanzarote, Spain

Here's a look at the abandoned minigolf course at Calle Las Acacias in Teguise. It's a course Emily went to while on a holiday to Lanzarote back in May 2022.

Abandoned Minigolf course at Calle Las Acacias in Teguise, Lanzarote, Spain

The course was the 991st visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Abandoned Minigolf course at Calle Las Acacias in Teguise, Lanzarote, Spain

Check out the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list for more information and links to courses we've visited since 2006.


Abandoned Minigolf course at Calle Las Acacias in Teguise, Lanzarote, Spain

Abandoned Mini Golf Aquarium course in Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain

A visit to the abandoned Mini Golf Aquarium course in Puerto Del Carmen.


Here's a look at the abandoned Mini Golf Aquarium course in Puerto Del Carmen. It's a course Emily went to while on a holiday to Lanzarote back in May 2022.

Abandoned Mini Golf Aquarium course in Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain

The course was the 990th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Abandoned Mini Golf Aquarium course in Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain

Check out the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list for more information and links to courses we've visited since 2006.


Abandoned Mini Golf Aquarium course in Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain

Monday, July 01, 2024

Toys R Us at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich

A look at the site of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich, Norfolk in June 2024.


The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich
The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich

While the last of the original Toys R Us stores in the UK closed on the 24th April 2018 the brand returned to the UK in 2022 with an online presence, and further expanded in 2023 with the opening of nine concessions inside WH Smith.

It's been very interesting to find that there are still remnants of the brand on some retail parks in the UK and we've visited a number of these closed, abandoned, derelict and demolished Toys R Us locations on our travels.

We first visited the old Norwich Toys R Us store in August 2021, and returned in April 2022. On our visit last month the site was part way through being turned into a new Home Bargains store.

The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich
The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich

The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich
The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich

The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich
The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich

The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich
The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich

The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich
The location of the former Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich


Lost Toys R Us Stores


My book about Lost Toys R Us Stores is available to buy from Amazon.

There were once 105 Toys R Us stores in the UK. The business ceased trading in 2018 and all of the shops closed.

It is still possible to find traces of the brand on some retail parks and shopping centres around the UK.

The book takes a look at some of those old stores between 2019 and 2021.

Buy Lost Toys R Us Stores on Amazon.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Toys R Us at Gateway Retail Park in Reading

Spotting an abandoned Toys R Us store in Reading, Berkshire.


Toys R Us at Gateway Retail Park in Reading (September 2022)


Toys R Us at Gateway Retail Park in Reading (September 2022)

The shop unit at Gateway retail park looked to be in great condition and most of the signage and branding was still on display.

Toys R Us at Gateway Retail Park in Reading (September 2022)

Toys R Us at Gateway Retail Park in Reading (September 2022)

This particular branch of Toys R Us was only open for five months before the brand ceased trading in the UK.

Toys R Us at Gateway Retail Park in Reading (September 2022)

Toys R Us at Gateway Retail Park in Reading (September 2022)

Toys R Us closed its UK operation in April 2018.

Toys R Us at Gateway Retail Park in Reading (September 2022)

Toys R Us at Gateway Retail Park in Reading (September 2022)

Toys R Us at Gateway Retail Park in Reading (September 2022)

It's been very interesting to find that there are still remnants of the brand on some retail parks in the UK and we've visited a number of these closed, abandoned, derelict and demolished Toys R Us locations on our travels.

My first job while at university in the year 2000 was as one of Geoffrey's helpers at the Luton store. I worked on the video game and electronics section.

Former Toys R Us locations we've visited on our travels:

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Toys R Us at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich

A look at the Toys R Us store at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich, Norfolk in April 2022.


Toys R Us at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich (April 2022)

Toys R Us closed in the UK in April 2018.

It's been very interesting to find that there are still remnants of the brand on some retail parks in the UK and we've visited a number of these closed, abandoned, derelict and demolished Toys R Us locations on our travels.


Toys R Us at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich (April 2022)

Toys R Us at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich (April 2022)

Toys R Us at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich (April 2022)

Toys R Us at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich (April 2022)

Toys R Us at Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich (April 2022)

Minigolf old and new in Bournemouth

Two minigolf courses in one spot.


Emily took this snap of two very different minigolf courses in one location while in Bournemouth, Dorset last May.

Miniature Golf in Bournemouth

The old minigolf course on Bournemouth's Exeter Road has been derelict for quite some time. The Mr Mulligan's indoor adventure golf opened in 2018.

Monday, March 18, 2024

The Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in Cliftonville, Margate

A look at the remains of the Little Oasis Crazy Golf in Margate.


Many thanks to our fellow minigolf adventurer Matt Dodd for sending over these photos of what's left of the former Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate, Kent.

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

The location was once home to two 18-hole Arnold Palmer miniature golf layouts. It closed for good in 2014.

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate. Photo by Matt Dodd, 15th March 2024

We first visited the Little Oasis Crazy Golf course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in September 2007.

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cliftonville, Margate - September 2007

We first played the 'North' course in September 2007, and played the 'South' course in April 2011.

Check out this blog post about Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in the UK.