'Pop Up' Summertime Fun in Luton

We missed it.

We revisited our old home town of Luton last weekend and spotted this poster in the window of the old Debenhams advertising the 'Pop Up' Summertime Fun event in Luton's Wardown Park earlier this year. It included free Crazy Golf!

We've spent a lot of time in Wardown Park. The park has had some different courses over the years - including a fibreglass Crazy Golf layout, and a Putting/mini-Pitch & Putt course. It's currently home to an Adventure Golf course.

Wardown Adventure Golf course in Wardown Park, Luton (June 2021)

Wardown Park's first miniature golf course opened on the 19th June 1934 - so our visit in 2021 came 87 years to the day since the first putt was taken in the park!

Wardown Adventure Golf in Luton

A look at the new Wardown Adventure Golf course in Luton.

We were back in our old home town of Luton, Bedfordshire on Saturday 19th June and while there swung by the new Adventure Golf course at Wardown Park.

The new Wardown Adventure Golf course opened in the park last month. It's a nice looking layout.

Wardown Park's first miniature golf course opened on the 19th June 1934 - so our visit came 87 years to the day since the first putt was taken in the park!

The 18-hole woodland-themed minigolf course is on an elevated bowling green in the park

Unfortunately we didn't have time for a game on the 18-hole course during our flying visit to the town. However, it was very nice to see the course proving popular with players.

It's nice to see a disused bowling green put to good use

We're looking forward to spending some time having some rounds there on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

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

A Covid-19 sign at the entrance to Wardown Park

Miniature Golf at Wardown Park

Wardown Park's latest minigolf course opened in May this year.

The park was previously home to two minigolf courses. One was a crazy golf course, the other was a grass miniature golf course. Both were turned into a 'Mini Golf Meadow' in 2015.

We lived in Luton for 16 years and played the minigolf courses in the park a fair bit during that time. The Crazy Golf course that used to be in Wardown Park was the 18th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour way back on the 5th May 2007. The Grass Putting Miniature Golf layout was the 19th played on the 19th May. Until the meadows were planted minigolf had been played in the park since the 19th June 1934.

Wardown Adventure Golf in Luton

New adventure golf course opening at Wardown Park in Luton.

A new adventure golf course is opening in Luton's Wardown Park this May.

The 18-hole layout will have a woodland theme.

Check out the Wardown Adventure Golf website for more information.

Minigolf at Wardown Park

Wardown Park was previously home to two minigolf courses. One was a crazy golf course, the other was a grass miniature golf course.

Both were turned into a Mini Golf Meadow in 2015.

We lived in Luton for 16 years and played the minigolf courses in the park a fair bit during that time. The Crazy Golf course that used to be in Wardown Park was the 18th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour way back on the 5th May 2007. The Grass Putting Miniature Golf layout was the 19th played on the 19th May. Until the meadows were planted minigolf had been played in the park since the 19th June 1934.

A snowy day on two lost minigolf courses

A look back at a snow day on the minigolf courses in Wardown Park, Luton.

Snow play allowed. This was back in January 2010

When we lived down in Luton, Bedfordshire our local park had two miniature golf courses. One was a 9-hole grass Mini Golf layout, the other was a 9-hole fibreglass Crazy Golf course.

That's hole 1 of the Crazy Golf course under the snow

The grass course at Wardown Park opened in 1934 and was an interesting one to play. It was too big to be considered to be a Putting Green, but not large enough to be classed as a Pitch & Putt, even though you were issued with an iron and a putter when you played.

You also received a paper ticket every time you played a round on the courses. A really nice touch and something we've rarely seen elsewhere on our travels

Sadly both courses are now long gone. Luckily we played a lot of games there in the latter half of the noughties.

The area where the two courses were was turned into a mini meadow in 2015.

Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube Man in Luton

An airdancer from the archives.

We saw this Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-man at a funfair in Luton's Wardown Park back in August 2010.

A view of Wardown Park in Luton

A look at an old Crazy Golf location in Luton.

My mate and Lutonian Martin Morrin recently sent me a snap from Luton's Wardown Park showing the site of the old miniature golf courses. There used to be a grass Putting course and a Crazy Golf layout in the park.

The shed has been replaced with a different wooden structure. The bench is looking a little wonky these days

In 2015 the two courses were removed to make way for a year-long project to monitor how local Luton residents and insects reacted to a variety of new meadows.

Over the years we played the minigolf courses in the park a fair bit. The Crazy Golf course that used to be in Wardown Park was the 18th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour way back on the 5th May 2007. The Grass Putting Miniature Golf layout became the 19th played on the 19th May. Until the meadows were planted minigolf had been played in the park since the 19th June 1934.

A remnant of hole one of the old Wardown Park Crazy Golf course

It's a shame to see the area isn't being used for anything anymore.

You can see what the courses used to look like in our Crazy Golf in Wardown Park blog post.

Love Luton

More about the Love Luton campaign.

Love Luton was formed in 2010 to lead the City Status bid. While that was unsuccessful the campaign continued into 2012 for celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and hosting the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. The Love Luton campaign is planned to continue through 2016 and beyond.

Some of the Love Luton campaign badges amongst others in my pin collection. I've got a stack of the new round pin to give out on my travels

Emily and I have lived in Luton since we came to study in the town in the year 2000. It's certainly an interesting place. There are plenty of quirks, interesting history and fun to be had here.

You can find the source of the River Lea in Luton. It's not far from where we live in the northern bit of the town called Leagrave

Over the years we've been involved in a lot of events in the town, and we can say we've explored pretty much everything the town has had to offer and are proud to be adopted Lutonians.

The 'Love Luton' branded Arriva bus went past Wardown Park just before the official count at the successful Guinness World Record attempt for the 'Largest Gathering of People Wearing Boater Hats' organised by the town's Museum Makers. I wonder what all the people driving along Old Bedford Road thought of the massed ranks of be-hatted people assembled in the park!

Check out the links below for more on the Love Luton campaign.

Links:
- Love Luton website
- Love Luton on Twitter
- Love Luton on Facebook

Related blog posts:
- Luton
- Luton is still a town
- Lutonians break Guinness World Record!

Luton Mini Golf Meadows

Visiting the new meadows in Wardown Park, Luton.

Luton's new Mini Golf Meadows

Earlier this week I read about the developments at the old minigolf and crazy golf site in Luton's Wardown Park and today Emily and I headed down for a look at the new 'Luton Mini Golf Meadows'.

The area does look really nice

As part of our visit we met the project's co-ordinator Helen Hoyle who told us about the project, while we were able to tell her more about the minigolf courses that used to be there. We also completed a survey for the research while we wandered around the meadow.

Exploring the Mini Golf Meadows and completing my survey of 'Plot G'. Emily did 'Plot H'

The year-long project has been set-up to monitor how local Luton residents and insects react to the new meadows.

One of the pretty plots in the meadow

Over the years we played the minigolf courses in the park a fair bit. The Crazy Golf course that used to be in Wardown Park was the 18th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour way back on the 5th May 2007. The Grass Putting Miniature Golf layout became the 19th played on the 19th May. Until the meadows were planted minigolf had been played in the park since the 19th June 1934.

I spotted a metal cup from one of the grass minigolf holes sitting on the 'green' of the old Crazy Golf course. As a connoisseur of derelict minigolf courses it was interesting to see what had become of the old holes

Hole 1 as it used to look

Hole 1 now

A view of the old Crazy Golf site. The markings from the old fibreglass holes are still clear to see

Out standing in his field. In the middle of what once was a grass putting course

It was nice to see at some signs that the area was once home to two miniature golf courses.

A view of the Luton Mini Golf Meadows from the old Crazy Golf course

Hole 8 is no longer this way. You can find plots A-D there though

Signs of golf still exist 'in the rough'

Playing the Miniature Golf course back in 2010

Links:
- Department of Landscape at the University of Sheffield
- F3ues Urban BESS project
- Green Estate
- Pictorial Meadows
- Luton Borough Council

Related blog post:
- Crazy Golf in Wardown Park Luton

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter.

Crazy Golf in Wardown Park Luton

The Crazy Golf and Minigolf courses in Luton's Wardown Park are no more!

The sign for the Miniature Golf courses is still there

On Wednesday 25 March my friend and sometimes minigolf rival Simon 'Practice' Hall let me know that the minigolf and crazy golf courses in Luton's Wardown Park had been removed, so I had to head down for a look.

The fibreglass holes of the Crazy Golf course have been dug out of their foundations and put in a pile. The muddy patch in the background is where the miniature golf grass putting course was

The old Crazy Golf holes piled on top of hole 1

A view of the Crazy Golf course area, with the 'grass' Minigolf layout on the left

The grass Miniature Golf course had been in Wardown Park since 19 June 1934 when it was opened by the town's Mayor. The fibreglass Crazy Golf course was a much later addition.

Hole 6 of the Crazy Golf course in Luton's Wardown Park in May 2007

The Crazy Golf course was the 18th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on 5 May 2007, with the Grass Putting Miniature Golf layout the 19th played on 19 May.

Emily playing Crazy Golf in Luton's Wardown Park in July 2007. The very green grass putting layout is on the other side of the fence

I hadn't seen or heard anything in the local media about changes to the minigolf area of the park and the staff in Wardown Park Museum didn't have any further information on the removal of the courses.

I asked Luton Borough Council why the Crazy Golf and Minigolf Putting courses in Wardown Park have been dug up?

They responded telling me it's a new meadow planting project with Sheffield University. There'll be nine plots, pathways and 'picnic zones'.

I then asked what was going to happen to the obstacles from the course and was told that the course will be reinstalled in another area of the park.

Mystery solved.

It'll be interesting to see what the area looks like when it's finished and where the Crazy Golf holes end up.

Playing hole 3 in some golfing attire in 2007

An Autumn/Winter look to the course in November 2011

Hole 1 as it used to look

Playing the miniature golf grass putting in Wardown Park in May 2010

Check out the links below for photos and videos of the courses since we first visited them in 2007.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy Golf & Minigolf Courses in and around Luton, Bedfordshire
- Course Played #18 Luton (Wardown Park) - Crazy Golf
- Course Played #19 Luton (Wardown Park) - Miniature Golf
- Wardown Park in Luton - Changes to the Crazy Golf Course & Ducks Fighting
- Crazy Golf at Luton's Wardown Park - November 2010
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf at Luton's Wardown Park
- More Snow - Sledging & Crazy Golf
- Snow halts play
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Luton

Videos:
- View of the Crazy Golf Course at Wardown Park in Luton
- Crazy Golf course changes at Wardown Park in Luton

Lutonians break Guinness World Record!

Luton Museum Makers organise successful Guinness World Record Attempt!

Hooray we've done it!

The people of Luton turned out for an official Guinness World Record for the 'Largest Gathering of People Wearing Boater Hats' - and smashed the previous record of 250 people!

A sea of straw boaters in Luton's Wardown Park

A grand total of 797 people - mostly Lutonians, with a smattering of people travelling to the town for the event - stood in Wardown Park with straw boater hats firmly fixed on their heads for five minutes as the stewards and official adjudicator made the count.

Record breakers #166 & #167 - Richard & Emily Gottfried

Great planning and presentation of the event from the organising team of Luton's Museum Makers.

The 'Love Luton' branded Arriva bus went past Wardown Park just before the official count. I wonder what all the people driving along Old Bedford Road thought of the massed ranks of be-hatted people assembled in the park!

Luton has a long tradition of millinery and Wardown Park Musuem houses a collection related to hatmaking, with over 700 hats and materials from the trade.

It was a great event, with entertainment on-stage throughout by Joe Corrigan's Signature Swing Band. It's a brilliant record for the town to hold. Nice weather too.

Another feather in his straw boater, helping to set a Guinness World Record in Luton

Over the years Emily and I have been a part of some other Guinness World Record Attempts including Hopping, Brussels Sprouts eating, most people to ‘High Five’ simultaneously, the UK's longest Conga line and the Largest picnic ever in the UK.

The record for most straw boaters on the bonce of a Lutonian after the main-event was four

The Museum Makers are a new team consisting of members of the community who are dedicated to saving, cherishing, running and recreating Wardown Park Museum in Luton.

Links:
- Museum Makers website
- Museum Makers on Twitter
- Museum Makers on Facebook
- Guinness World Records
- Video: Luton's Straw Boater Guinness World Record Attempt 2014

Related blog posts:
- Luton Museum Makers Aiming To Break World Record
- Guinness World Records
- Luton

Luton Museum Makers Aiming To Break World Record

Luton Museum Makers targeting a Guinness World Record for the "Largest Gathering of People Wearing Boater Hats"!

On Saturday 16th of August 2014 Museum Makers and Wardown Park Museum in Luton will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the "Largest Gathering of People Wearing Boater Hats".

The current world record is 250 people, but the team behind the attempt are aiming to get 2,000 people involved!

Luton has a long tradition of millinery and Wardown Park Musuem houses a collection related to hatmaking, with over 700 hats and materials from the trade.

For more information and to register as a participant visit the Museum Makers website.

The Guinness World Record Attempt will take place at 11.30am on Saturday 16th of August.

If you don't own your own straw boater there will be some available on the day.

The event sounds fun and a little less extreme than some of the other Guinness World Record Attempts I've undertaken, such as Hopping and Brussels Sprouts eating. I've also taken part in record attempts for the most people to ‘High Five’ simultaneously, the UK's longest Conga line and the Largest picnic ever in the UK.

The Museum Makers are a new team, consisting of members of the community, who are dedicated to saving, cherishing, running and recreating Wardown Park Museum in Luton.

Links:
- Museum Makers website
- Museum Makers on Twitter
- Museum Makers on Facebook
- Guinness World Record related blog posts

Happy Birthday to the Miniature Golf Course in Luton's Wardown Park - 77 today!

Happy Birthday to the Miniature Golf Course in Luton's Wardown Park as it is 77 years old today!

Wardown Park is currently home to a 9-hole Miniature Golf (Putting/Pitch&Putt type course) and a 9-hole Crazy Golf course.

Results of the Luton SOS MD Classic Minigolf Competition at Wardown Park, Luton

Results of the Irregular Mini Golf Tour Luton SOS MD Classic
Wardown Park Crazy Golf Course - 25th April 2011

For the first time since 2008 Luton's Wardown Park Crazy Golf course played host to an Irregular Mini Golf Tour Crazy Golf contest, as Lutonians 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, Simon 'Practice' Hall and Emily 'Coach' Gottfried hit the course for a two-round contest - The Irregular Mini Golf Tour Luton SOS MD Classic.

After round one Simon 'Practice' Hall did the unthinkable, and led the event by one shot, and in the process defeated his Minigolf 'Mentor' the 'Squire' for the first-time in a round of minigolf. Simon scored a 24, to Richard's 25.

Round two got underway on hole three, with Hall hitting an Ace, just as Emily had in round one. However Simon marked his card with a few too many threes and eventually finished with a score of 50, with Emily on 54 and Richard on 48 to steal a victory on the pleasant Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.

Holes 1-9 - April 2011