Crazy Golf at Pop's Meadow in Gorleston-on-Sea

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Pop's Meadow in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk.

A big thank you goes to the team at Pop's Meadow Cafe and Fun Park for sending us these photos of the new Crazy Golf course there.

We heard last week that the venue had reopened and added a new minigolf course to the site. Great news.

Visit the Pop's Meadow Cafe and Fun Park on Facebook for more information.

It's always brilliant to hear about new miniature golf courses opening and it's really nice when sites of lost courses once again become places to play the game.

The former Crazy Golf course at Pop's Meadow in Gorleston-on-Sea was the 100th course we visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we swung by on the 10th May 2009.

We played the old Arnold Palmer Putting course at Pop's Meadow in June 2010 and the last time any of us swung by it was back in 2016 after it had closed down

We've now been to 973 courses since September 2006.

We're planning a big minigolf trip to Norfolk for next summer and it'll be marvellous to have a game of crazy golf at Pop's Meadow again.

Crazy Golf back at Pop's Meadow in Gorleston-on-Sea

A Crazy Golf course is once again part of Pop's Meadow in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk.

Pop's Meadow fun park in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk is once more home to a Crazy Golf course.

A temporary layout has been created by the new operators of the site and there are plans for a more permanent course to be put in place in the future.

Check out the Pop's Meadow Cafe and Fun Park on Facebook for more information.

It's always nice to hear about new minigolf courses opening and especially nice when sites of lost courses once again become places to play the game.

The Crazy Golf course at Pop's Meadow in Gorleston-on-Sea was the 100th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we swung by on the 10th May 2009. We've now been to 973 courses since September 2006.

We played the course in June 2010 and the last time any of us swung by it was back in 2016 when it had closed down

We're looking forward to revisiting Pop's Meadow and playing the new course there.

Pop's Meadow is a site of historical significance in the world of miniature golf as the game has been played there for many many years

Social distancing at Freeman, Hardy & Willis

A look at some new decals on an old shop doorway mosaic.

We saw these modern day social distancing floor markings at the entrance of a charity shop while having a walk along Magdalen Street in Norwich last month.

The shop was once a branch of the national footwear chain Freeman, Hardy & Willis. All that remains of that brand is the lovely old advertising mosaic in the doorway.

Happy Shopper in Ormesby St Margaret, Norfolk

Finding a ghost sign at the old Happy Shopper shop in Ormesby St Margaret, Norfolk.

We were surprised and amazed to see an old Happy Shopper sign while en route to Hemsby during our East Anglian Road-Trip last month.

We had taken a couple of detours because of traffic and ended up on a different road towards the seaside that took us through the village of Ormesby St Margaret. We're always looking for points of interest and new things to spot when on our travels and as we drove past the village shop we both said to each other jokingly "I wonder if that used to be a Happy Shopper?"

Imagine our shock when we saw a really old, classic Happy Shopper sign in one of the shop windows!

Fletchers Mini Market in Ormesby St Margaret used to be a Happy Shopper shop

I almost crashed into the village pond such was the excitement of our discovery.

During the pandemic we've been feeling very nostalgic. One of the brands we've been thinking about is Happy Shopper - the name alone conjures up images of the 1980's.

We didn't think there would be many - or any - of the original orange and yellow branded shops still around, but we were happy to find out we were wrong when we saw one in Preston last September.

Since then we've been lucky enough to spot and snap a few more on our limited travels outside of lockdown. Take a look at my posts about other Happy Shopper shops in:

• Preston
• Sheffield (Sharrow Lane)
• Sheffield (Page Hall Road)
• Ilkeston
• Hitchin
• Ashwellthorpe
• Lowestoft (2011)
• Lowestoft (2021)

Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby, Norfolk

A revisit to the Lost World Adventure Golf course in Hemsby, Norfolk.

We got to revisit one of our all-time favourite courses during our East Anglian Road-Trip last month.

Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby, Norfolk is a superb 9-hole adventure golf course and was one of the first adventure golf courses to open in the UK.

We've played there a number of times over the years, including in two tournaments, and it's still a fantastic attraction.

The course was proving to be incredibly popular on our visit which was very nice to see.

We're already planning a return visit next year.

Check out the Lost World Adventure Golf website for more information, opening times and prices.

Lost World Adventure Golf also has a free scorecard and loyalty app which shows each of the holes, with tips on how to play the course.

The Lost World Adventure Golf course in Hemsby was the 88th course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in May 2009.

Stonehenge - The BIG mini golf in Hemsby, Norfolk

A revisit to the Stonehenge minigolf course in Hemsby, Norfolk.

Last month we swung by the 18-hole Stonehenge-themed miniature golf course in the seaside town of Hemsby.

Stonehenge Big Mini Golf was the 174th course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in June 2010 when it was a 15-hole layout. We first visited it in May 2009 when it was a 12-hole course.

Social distancing footprints next to the entrance sign

We were back in Hemsby during our East Anglian road-trip.

Pirates Island Adventure Golf at Norfolk Premier Golf in Blofield, Norfolk

A look at the Pirates Island Adventure Golf course at Norfolk Premier Golf in Blofield, Norfolk.

We swung by the 12-hole Pirates Island Adventure Golf course at Norfolk Premier Golf in Blofield, Norfolk on our East Anglian road-trip last month.

The course was the 971st visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Visit the Pirates Island Adventure Golf website for more information, opening times and prices.

It's always fun seeing minigolf vehicles

Toys R Us in Norwich, Norfolk

A look at the closed Toys R Us store in Norwich, Norfolk.

Toys R Us in Norwich

Toys R Us closed it's UK stores in April 2018. However, there are still visible remnants of the old brand around the UK.

Closed

Toys R Us travels

We've visited a number of former Toys R Us sites over the last couple of years, the latest being in Norwich and Ipswich. 

At another former store location

Working at Toys R Us

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

Toys R Us in Norwich

Toys R Us at the Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich (August 2021)

The sign on the side of the former store in Norwich

Check out my blog posts below about former Toys R Us stores:

• Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke
• Central Retail Park in Manchester
• Cathedral Retail Park in Norwich
• Deepdale shopping centre in Preston
• Enfield Retail Park in Enfield
• Festival retail park in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
• Gemini Retail Park in Warrington
• Interchange Retail Park at Copdock Mill, Ipswich
• Riverside Retail Park in Nottingham
• St James Retail Park in Northampton
• Teesside Retail Park in Stockton-on-Tees
• Western Esplanade in Southampton
• Wolverhampton Road in Oldbury
• Wyvern Retail Park in Derby

The old Happy Shopper shop in Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk

Finding an old Happy Shopper shop in Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk.

During the pandemic we've been feeling very nostalgic. One of the brands we thought about was Happy Shopper - the name alone conjures up images of the 1980's and the classic logo is a wonderful sight.

We didn't think there would be many - or any - of the original orange and yellow branded shops still around, but we were happy to find out we were wrong when we saw one in Preston (while en route to check out an abandoned Toys R Us store) last September.

Since then we've been lucky enough to spot and snap a few others on our limited travels outside of lockdown.

This one in Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk is a definite favourite. We were lucky enough to visit it during our East Anglian minigolf road-trip last month.

A happy shopper at the, sadly now closed, Ashwellthorpe Stores in Norfolk

Take a look at my posts about other Happy Shopper shops in:

• Lowestoft (2011)
• Preston
• Sheffield (Sharrow Lane)
• Sheffield (Page Hall Road)
• Ilkeston
• Hitchin
• Fallowfield, Manchester
• Ormesby St Margaret
• Lowestoft (2021)

Eaton Park Crazy Golf course in Norwich

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Eaton Park in Norwich, Norfolk.

My brother Christopher took a stroll round Eaton Park in Norwich and sent me this snap of the Crazy Golf course there.

We played the layout on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in May 2017 when the 18-hole course became the 432nd played and 734th visited overall. We had a superb time playing the course and the park is a marvellous setting for a game.

Check out the Eaton Park Crazy Golf course website for more information.

Crazy Golf at Bressingham Steam & Gardens in Diss

Finding a Crazy Golf course at Bressingham Steam & Gardens in Diss.

My brother and his family had a day out at Bressingham Steam & Gardens in Diss at the weekend and found there was a new Crazy Golf course there!

The 12-hole layout became the 996th visited overall by members of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since 2006!

We're looking forward to playing the minigolf course at Bressingham Steam & Gardens in the future. It'll be fun to have a go on the miniature and not so miniature railways there too.

Visit the Bressingham Steam & Gardens website for more information.

New Mini Golf course at Mattishall Golf Academy in Norfolk

There's a new indoor mini golf course at Mattishall Golf Academy in Mattishall, Dereham, Norfolk.

A new 9-hole indoor mini golf course is now open at Mattishall Golf Academy in Mattishall, Norfolk.

The course was created by the team at Greenspan.

Find out more on the Mattishall Golf Academy website.

The indoor mini golf course at Mattishall Golf Academy is another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Jurassic Golf at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Reedham, Norfolk

A visit to the Jurassic Golf at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Norfolk.

My brother Christopher, a charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, has made the 993rd course visit of the tour with a trip to the Jurassic Golf course at Pettitts Animal Adventure Park in Reedham, Norwich, Norfolk!

Check out the Pettitts Animal Adventure Park website for more information.

Adventure Golf at the Pleasure Beach Gardens in Great Yarmouth

A look at the Adventure Golf course at the Pleasure Beach Gardens in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

My brother, and founding member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, Christopher was in Great Yarmouth recently and sent me some snaps from the Pleasure Beach Gardens.

We first played the 12-hole Adventure Golf layout at the Pleasure Beach Gardens in June 2007 and last played it in August 2011. Where has that time gone!

Back in June 2007 Emily and I played the 25th course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Jungle Golf at the Gardens in Great Yarmouth. At the start of the 2008 Summer Season the 11-hole course was changed from a Safari Golf to a Segway Grand Prix!

It'll be brilliant when we can return to Great Yarmouth to see what's new and what's changed in the seaside resort.

We've got a nice old postcard in our collecation showing the Crazy Golf course when it was known as Nelson Gardens back in 1980.

Visit the Pleasure Beach Gardens website for more information on the Crazy Jungle Golf course there.

Crazy Golf at Merrivale Model Village in Great Yarmouth

My brother, and charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, Christopher was recently in Great Yarmouth and sent me this snap of the sign at Merrivale Model Village as it includes Crazy Golf.

We played the course in August 2011. Time certainly flies!

The Merrivale Model Village in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk is well worth a visit.

We're looking forward to our next trip to the seaside town.

Beach Golf in Great Yarmouth

There's a crazy golf course on the beach in Great Yarmouth.

My brother Christopher found a minigolf course on the beach in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on his visit to the seaside resort yesterday!

Great Yarmouth was one of the first places we visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and we've been back a number of times, although not since July 2016! It'll be fun to revisit and see what else is new there.

With Christopher's discovery of the Great Yarmouth Beach Golf course it brings the grand total of miniature golf courses visited by members of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour to 992 since September 2006! 

New Crazy Golf centre opening in Norwich

Putt Noodle Crazy Golf planned for the Castle Quarter in Norwich, Norfolk.

Norwich city centre could soon be home to a new indoor minigolf venue as Putt Noodle Crazy Golf is looking to create three 9-hole themed layouts at the site in the Castle Quarter shopping and entertainment centre.

It'll be a new set of courses for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. My brother and charter member of the tour doesn't live too far away so I'm sure we'll swing by for a game when it opens.

Retailtainment minigolf

Putt Noodle Crazy Golf is proposed to open in a retail unit in the centre and is the latest in the new wave of retail entertainment (retailtainment) activities opening up around the UK.

Indoor minigolf

When our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour began in 2006 there were only two indoor places to play the game, both in East Anglia. Now there are around 100 indoor miniature golf courses around the UK, with more planned and opening all the time.

Hollywood Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth

Spotting an advert for the Windmill Theatre Crazy Golf course in Great Yarmouth.

My brother and charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Christopher Gottfried recently spotted this advert for the Windmill Theatre Crazy Golf in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

We've both played the indoor minigolf course, but haven't yet had a game against each other there.

When our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour began in 2006 the course at the Windmill Theatre was one of only two indoor miniature golf courses in the UK. There are now more than 100 indoor courses!

Visit the Hollywood Adventure Golf course website for more information.

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean's Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth

A look at the Jungle Adventure Golf course at the Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth.

Our friends Sophia and Karl Moles recently had a short break at the Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth and sent us these photos of the Adventure Golf course at the park.

I do like seeing crashed plane theming on a course

A crocodile - or alligator - lurking near the course

Visit the Parkdean website for more information.

What's that croc had for dinner?

The Moles family have found and played a fair few minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses on their travels. Including one on a cruise ship!

It's always brilliant seeing new courses and those we haven't been to on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.