Lost minigolf courses - Abingdon-on-Thames Crazy Golf

A look back at the old Crazy Golf course at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames.

One of the courses we've visited and played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour travels but has since become a 'lost' course was the 10-hole Crazy Golf layout at the Abbey Meadows in my home town of Abingdon.

The course was the first one I ever played way back in the early 1980's.

The course had been in the park since the 1950's but was removed at the end of the 2016 season as part of renovations to the area.

It's always sad to see an old miniature golf course removed. Especially so when it's not replaced by a new one.

The last hole of the first course I ever played

In August 2007 the course became the 31st played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Playing hole 5 in 2007

Playing hole 5 in 2012

Playing hole 5 for the very last time in 2016

We also revisited in June 2012 and December 2014.

The course was very mossy on our visit in 2014

Happy Shopper shops - Burton on Trent (closed)

There are still a few Happy Shopper shops around England and Wales.

Here's a look at the Happy Shopper in Burton on Trent.

Check out this blog post looking back at our visits to Happy Shopper shops since 2020.

View my YouTube Playlist of Happy Shopper shop videos.

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.

Pontins Prestatyn Sands

A look at the Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Camp Site (May 2024).

Pontins Prestatyn Sands

I stopped off at the Pontins Prestatyn Sands holiday park back in May while en route to the Crazy Golf course in the seaside town.

The approach to the camp

Sadly Pontins Prestatyn Sands closed to guests in November 2023.

Pontins Prestatyn Sands

Pontins Prestatyn Sands

The 'P' signs on the gates are the originals from when the camp opened

We'd visited three times in recent years as part of the Holiday on the Buses fan club events held there.

The Holiday on the Buses Weekender 2014 at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands allowed fans of the series and films the opportunity to stay at the camp, meet fellow fans and go on a number of mystery tours of filming locations!

The plaque with details of the Holiday on the Buses film used to be on the pillar to the right of the front gates

Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf at Cabot Circus in Bristol has closed

The indoor Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf centre at Cabot Circus in Bristol has closed.

We first visited the two courses - the 'Jungle' and the 'Secret Swamp' - back in February 2010 when were in the city to compete in the BMGA English Open minigolf competition at the then new 36-hole two-course. They were the 207th and 208th courses visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Playing at Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf in 2010

You can find Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf courses in Birmingham, Brighton, Glasgow and London. Visit the Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf website for more information.

Robotazia - a robot-themed restaurant in Milton Keynes

On our recent trip to Milton Keynes we spotted a robot-themed restaurant in the Theatre District.

Sadly it was permanently closed.

What a concept though.

The restaurant opened in 2020 and closed earlier this year.

Grass Putting Course at Northcliffe Park in Shipley

We visited the grass Putting Course at Northcliffe Park in Shipley, West Yorkshire last week.

The Mini Golf Putting Course at Northcliffe Park in Shipley

It became the 975th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since September 2006.

 

Graffiti Golf in Blackpool has closed

We were sad to hear that the indoor Graffiti Golf course on the promenade in Blackpool closed its doors on the 31st October.

Graffiti Golf in Blackpool in May 2021

We played the course in its original incarnation as Golden Isle Indoor Adventure Golf in September 2009, visited during its time as Merlin Pirate Adventure Mini Golf and then played the course in its final version of Pirate Graffiti Golf in August 2018.

Graffiti Pirate indoor UV glow-in-the-dark Crazy Golf!

We often visit Blackpool and the Graffiti Golf course was always busy with lots of people playing there.

Visit the Graffiti Golf website and Facebook Page for more information.

Stratford-upon-Avon Minigolf has closed

The minigolf course in Stratford-upon-Avon has closed.

Stratford-upon-Avon Minigolf

We were very sad to heard that the minigolf course at the Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon has closed after 20 years in operation.

Playing the course in 2008

The course was the 49th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in 2008 and a venue for a number of British Minigolf Association tournaments over the years.

Playing at an event in 2009

It was the host venue for the BMGA British Club Championships in 2008 - the first BMGA Tour event I won as part of the Midlands Minigolf Club.

Playing the course in a competition in 2010

The 18-hole minigolf course in Stratford-upon-Avon was one of the very best miniature golf courses in the country and was a real pleasure to play. As well as being a true test of putting skill.

The course in 2015

It'll be greatly missed.

Tournament action on the course in 2010

Putting Course in Northcliffe Park, Shipley

A visit to the Putting Course at Northcliffe Park in Shipley, West Yorkshire.

We swung by Northcliffe Park in Shipley, West Yorkshire on our recent journey back from Leeds as we'd seen the park was home to a Putting Course.

The entrance to the course

The course looked like a nice layout and in good condition.

A fine looking green

You get a lovely view of the area from the course

The course is played on a sloping layout

One of the long miniature golf holes

A view from the green of the last hole

Unfortunately the Ticket Office was closed (and looked long since abandoned!) and there was nowhere else to hire clubs and balls from.

The Putting Course at Northcliffe Park in Shipley became the 975th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since September 2006.

Another Steals in Blackpool

Finding an old Steals in Blackpool.

The former Steals Factory Shop in Blackpool

There's still a Steals retail shop in Blackpool town centre.

Steals is a bargain clothes shop with branches in Blackpool, Preston, Accrington, Poulton-le-Fylde and Chorley.

Check out the Steals Facebook Page for more information.

Crazy Golf at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood.

We had a walk round the 18-hole Crazy Golf course at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood on our recent return trip to the seaside town.

We first visited the layout on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in 2012.

The location is also home to a Pitch & Putt course.

Pitch & Putt at Marine Gardens in Fleetwood

And the remains of a Miniature Railway!

The line used to run around the Pitch & Putt course

Where the line ends

You can still see a miniature railway tunnel on the perimeter of the Pitch & Putt course

There was once a Crazy Golf course a stone's throw away at Marine Hall Gardens. We played that course in 2009. Sadly it was removed in 2012.