Showing posts with label Hampshire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hampshire. Show all posts

Sunday, December 01, 2024

Farmyard Golf at Finkley Down Farm in Andover

There's a new outdoor Adventure Golf course at Finkley Down Farm in Andover, Hampshire.


There's a new outdoor Adventure Golf course at Finkley Down Farm in Andover, Hampshire

The Farmyard-themed Adventure Golf course at Finkley Down Farm is a 9-hole layout.

The new Adventure Golf course is a replacement for an old minigolf course at the attraction.

Check out the Finkley Down Farm website for more information.


The Farmyard Golf course was created by the team at Theories Golf.


It's another new course for us to check out on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Mini Golf at Superbowl UK in Aldershot

The Superbowl UK venue at the Westgate Leisure Park in Aldershot, Hampshire has opened and the location includes a mini golf course as one of the activities.


The Superbowl UK venue at the Westgate Leisure Park in Aldershot, Hampshire has opened and the location includes a mini golf course

Check out the Superbowl UK website for more information.


We've not been to Aldershot before and the new Superbowl UK site and mini golf course will be new ones to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour too.

Monday, September 30, 2024

18 years of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Celebrating 18 years of our minigolf adventures.


Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea

We played the Victory Trail course at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire on this day in 2006 and at the end of our 9-hole round on Saturday 30th September I won a free game by firing the cannon on the lucky last hole!

My free game card from Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea - never used!
My free game card from Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea - never used!

We've been putting on our crazy golfing adventures ever since.

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea
Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea

When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK. There are now more than 1,000, and there are lots of new places to play the game opening all the time. Several courses have closed over the years, while others have been refurbished, redeveloped or completely transformed into new layouts.

All the of the changes and updates means our minigolf quest to visit every course is becoming never-ending! 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.

We've now been to 1,065 courses overall in the last 18 years, with 1,007 of those locations in the British Isles.

Together with my brother Christopher - a charter member of the tour - and his family, we've visited a total of 1,112 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!

You can see all of the courses we've visited on this Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list.

Sunday, September 08, 2024

Putt Club Crazy Golf Farnborough

A new Putt Club Crazy Golf course has opened in Farnborough, Hampshire.


A new Putt Club Crazy Golf indoor course has opened in Farnborough, Hampshire

As well as the new Farnborough course you can find Putt Club venues in Hull, Leicester, London Dockland, Edmonton in London, and Southampton.

Check out the Putt Club website for more information.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Art & Putt Pop Up Mini Golf at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth

Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, Hampshire will be home to a Mini Golf course this summer.


Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, Hampshire will be home to a Mini Golf course this summer

Art & Putt Pop Up Mini Golf will open on Saturday 3rd August and run until Monday 2nd September.

The art-themed miniature golf course will feature holes and obstacles paying homage to famous artists.

Find out more on the Gunwharf Quays website.

Saturday, May 04, 2024

Adventure Golf at Tenpin Southampton

There's an Adventure Golf course at Tenpin Southampton.


There's an Adventure Golf course at Tenpin Southampton

Visit the Tenpin Southampton website for more information about the indoor prison-themed Adventure Golf course.


It's another new one for us to check out on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

A minigolf move in Basingstoke

There are plans for a new Great Wolf resort in Basingstoke, Hampshire.


A proposed Great Wolf resort in Basingstoke would be created on the site of Basingstoke Golf Centre and would feature a mini golf course

The proposed Great Wolf resort in Basingstoke would be created on the site of Basingstoke Golf Centre.

The new Great Wolf resort is an indoor water park - that would also feature a mini golf course as one of the activities.

Basingstoke Golf Centre is home to a Knights Realm Adventure Golf course. We haven't played the Knights Realm course yet, but did play the course it replaced several times, including some tournaments.

Visit the Basingstoke Golf Centre and Great Wolf Lodge resort websites for more information.


Hopefully we get back to Basingstoke to play the Knights Realm Adventure Golf course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour before it is removed. And we'll have to return again to have a game on the new Great Wolf mini golf course when that opens in the future.

Work is underway on the first Great Wolf Lodge in the UK that is set to open in Chesterton, Bicester, Oxfordshire. Like the US locations, that site looks set to be home to a miniature golf course too.

Friday, March 08, 2024

Toys R Us on the Western Esplanade in Southampton

Visiting the old Toys R Us store on the Western Esplanade in Southampton, Hampshire.


Toys R Us on the Western Esplanade in Southampton. May 2021


Toys R Us on the Western Esplanade in Southampton. May 2021

There was still a lot of signs on display at the large old unit.

Toys R Us on the Western Esplanade in Southampton. May 2021

Toys R Us on the Western Esplanade in Southampton. May 2021

Toys R Us on the Western Esplanade in Southampton. May 2021

Toys R Us on the Western Esplanade in Southampton. May 2021

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.

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:

Wednesday, March 06, 2024

Toys R Us at Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke

Visiting the old Toys R Us store at the Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke, Hampshire.


Toys R Us at Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke


Toys R Us at Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke

There was still a lot of signage on display at the former store.

Toys R Us at Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke

Toys R Us at Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke

Toys R Us at Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke

Toys R Us at Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke

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.

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:

Saturday, February 03, 2024

The old Blockbuster Video store in Southampton

A look at the former Blockbuster Video store in Southampton.


Blockbuster Video in Southampton

We visited the old Blockbuster Video store on Portswood Road in Southampton, Hampshire back in May 2021.

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

Work was underway to open the location as a new business. Luckily there were still some traces of the Blockbuster brand.

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

Finding other old Blockbuster Video shops.


It's always fun to see ghost signs, remnants of old & dead brands and interesting signage while out and about on our travels. Since I found the remains of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019 I've been intrigued to see the brand still has a lingering presence on the high street. The last Blockbuster Video shop ceased trading in the UK in December 2013!

Our travels have taken us to several former Blockbuster stores:

Saturday, September 30, 2023

17 years of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Celebrating 17 years of our minigolf adventures.


Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea
Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea

We played the Victory Trail course at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire on this day in 2006 and at the end of our 9-hole round on Saturday 30th September I won a free game by firing the cannon on the lucky last hole!

My free game card from Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea - never used!
My free game card from Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea - never used!

We've been putting on our crazy golfing adventures ever since.

When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK. There are now more than 1,000, and there are lots of new places to play the game opening all the time.

We've now been to 1,030 courses overall in the last 17 years, with 983 of those courses in the British Isles.

You can see all of the courses we've visited on this Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list.

Saturday, August 05, 2023

New Crazy Golf at Clarence Pier in Portsmouth

A new Crazy Golf course has opened at Clarence Pier in Portsmouth, Hampshire.


A new Crazy Golf course has opened at Clarence Pier in Portsmouth, Hampshire

The Putt Hutt is an 18-hole indoor Crazy Golf layout and opened at Clarence Pier today (Saturday 5th August).

Check out The Putt Hutt website for more information.

The new course is next door to Treasure Island Adventure Golf, the first place we played crazy golf back in 2006 on what would become our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

It'll be interesting to play The Putt Hutt on our next visit to Portsmouth and Southsea.

Sunday, March 26, 2023

East Park Mini Golf in Southampton

A look at the East Park Mini Golf course in Southampton.


My friend and minigolf rival Simon Brown sent me these photos of the East Park Mini Golf course in Southampton from his visit last month.

East Park Mini Golf in Southampton. Photo by Simon Brown, February 2023
East Park Mini Golf in Southampton. Photo by Simon Brown, February 2023

East Park Mini Golf in Southampton. Photo by Simon Brown, February 2023
East Park Mini Golf in Southampton. Photo by Simon Brown, February 2023

East Park Mini Golf in Southampton. Photo by Simon Brown, February 2023
East Park Mini Golf in Southampton. Photo by Simon Brown, February 2023

South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort

A look at the South Downs Way Adventure Golf course at Marwell Resort.


Thanks to my friend and minigolf rival Simon Brown for this snap of the South Downs Way Adventure Golf course at Marwell Resort from his visit earlier this year.

South Downs Way Adventure Golf course at Marwell Resort. Photo by Simon Brown, February 2023
South Downs Way Adventure Golf course at Marwell Resort. Photo by Simon Brown, February 2023

Visit the Marwell Resort website for more information.

Friday, September 30, 2022

16 years of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Celebrating 16 years of our minigolf adventures.


We played the Victory Trail course at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire on this day in 2006.

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire
Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea

At the end of our 9-hole round on Saturday 30th September I won a free game by firing the cannon on the lucky last hole.

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire
My free game card from Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea - never used!

We've been putting on our crazy golfing adventures ever since!

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire
Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea

When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK. There are now more than 1,000, and there are lots of new courses opening all the time.

We've now been to 1,004 courses overall in the last 16 years, with 959 of those courses in the British Isles.

You can see all of the courses we've visited on this Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list.


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Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Putt Club opening in Eastleigh, Southampton

A new Putt Club indoor crazy golf course is opening in Eastleigh, Southampton in October.


A new Putt Club indoor crazy golf course is opening in Eastleigh, Southampton in October 2022

You can find Putt Club minigolf course in Hull, Leicester, Edmonton, London Docklands and Watford.

Visit the Putt Club website for more information.

Thursday, May 05, 2022

South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort

A look at the new South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort in Hampshire.


A big thank you as always goes to our fellow minigolf explorer Matt Dodd for sending over these photos from his visit to the South Downs Way Adventure Golf course at Marwell Resort in Hampshire earlier this year.

South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022
South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022

South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022
South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022

South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022
South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022

South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022
South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022

South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022
South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022

South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022
South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022

South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022
South Downs Way Adventure Golf at Marwell Resort. Photo by Matt Dodd, March 2022

The South Downs Way Adventure Golf course opened at Marwell Resort last year.

Visit the Marwell Resort website for more information.


It's another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Thursday, April 07, 2022

Crazy Golf at Romsey Rapids Sports Complex

There are plans to refurbish the Crazy Golf course at Romsey Rapids Sports Complex in Romsey, Southampton, Hampshire.


There are plans to refurbish the Crazy Golf course at Romsey Rapids Sports Complex in Romsey, Southampton, Hampshire

We visited the sports-themed Adventure Golf course at Romsey Rapids Sports Complex on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in May 2019.

Adventure Golf at Romsey Rapids Sports Complex in Southampton
Adventure Golf at Romsey Rapids Sports Complex in Southampton

Visit the Romsey Rapids Sports Complex website for more information.

Thursday, September 30, 2021

15 years of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Celebrating a decade and a half of our minigolf adventures.


We played the Victory Trail course at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire on this day in 2006.

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire

At the end of our 9-hole round on Saturday 30th September I won a free game by firing the cannon on the lucky last hole.

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire

We've been putting on our miniature golfing adventures ever since!

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea, Hampshire


When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK. There are now more than 1,000, with new courses opening all the time.

We've been to 973 courses overall in the last 15 years, with 934 of those courses in the British Isles.

You can see all of the courses we've visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour post.


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