Sunday, June 19, 2022

Minigolf in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

A look at minigolf courses in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.


Pleasure Beach Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth
Pleasure Beach Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth

One of the first places we visited on what would become our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. We chose the seaside resort for a big minigolf trip in 2007 as we knew there were a lot of courses there.

Arnold Palmer Putting Course on Marine Parade in Great Yarmouth
Playing the Arnold Palmer Putting Course on Marine Parade in 2011. This course has been replaced by Castaway Island Adventure Golf - the latest course to occupy the minigolf hotspot since the 1920s!

We've returned a number of times since then, including a trip in May to help launch the Big Mini Golf Tour 2022.

Castaway Island Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth
Castaway Island Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth

Mini-Golf at Clippesby Hall
Mini-Golf at Clippesby Hall

Hollywood Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth
Hollywood Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth

Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby
Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby

Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth
Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth

Pop's Meadow Crazy Golf in Gorleston
Pop's Meadow Crazy Golf in Gorleston. This location was once home to an Arnold Palmer Putting Course

Stonehenge - the BIG mini golf in Hemsby
Stonehenge - the BIG mini golf in Hemsby

Putting in Gorleston
Putting in Gorleston

Minigolf has been played in the area since the early 20th century and there are plenty of options for a game in 2022. Here are the courses we currently know of:

Belton
  • Mini Golf at Haven Wild Duck Holiday Park

Caister-on-Sea
  • Crazy Golf at Haven Caister-on-Sea Holiday Park
  • Crazy Golf at Haven Seashore Holiday Park

Clippesby
  • Mini-Golf at Clippesby Hall

Great Yarmouth
  • Pirates Cove Adventure Golf on Marine Parade
  • Hollywood Indoor Adventure Golf at the Windmill Theatre on Marine Parade
  • Castaway Island Adventure Golf on Marine Parade
  • Crazy Golf at Merrivale Model Village on Marine Parade
  • Pleasure Beach Adventure Golf on South Beach Parade
  • Adventure Golf at Parkdean Resorts Vauxhall Holiday Park
  • Pitch & Putt at Bure Park

Gorleston-on-Sea
  • Pop's Meadow Crazy Golf on Pavilion Road
  • Gorleston Putting Green at Gorleston Cliffs Sports Pavilion

Hemsby
  • Lost World Adventure Golf on Beach Road
  • Stonehenge Adventure Golf on Beach Road

Scratby
  • Minigolf at California Cliffs Holiday Park

If you know of any other minigolf, crazy golf, adventure golf, putting or pitch & putt courses in the Great Yarmouth area please do let us know.

Minigolf history in Great Yarmouth

One of the earliest miniature golf postcards we have in our collection is this one showing the Putting Green on Marine Parade in Great Yarmouth.

Putting Green, Great Yarmouth. Postcard postally used on the 11th November 1927. Publisher unknown
Putting Green, Great Yarmouth. Postcard postally used on the 11th November 1927

The postcard was sent to Hayes, Middlesex on the 11th November 1927.

You can see the Hippodrome in the left of the image and this building is still standing and is the Hippodrome Circus on St George's Road. If you visit now you'll find a row of buildings in front of the Hippodrome itself! You will also find that there is still a minigolf course on the same spot as the Putting Green. Now called Castaway Island Adventure Golf the site was an Arnold Palmer Putting Course that we played a number of times on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The Big Mini Golf Tour

Several miniature golf courses across the Greater Yarmouth Tourism & Business Improvement Area have come together to promote the game this summer as the Big Mini Golf Tour has teed-off across seven layouts. You can find all the details of the Big Mini Golf Tour, prize draw and places to play via the Big Mini Golf Tour Linktree page.

The Big Mini Golf Tour map

You can plan your visit to the participating miniature golf courses in Hemsby, Clippesby, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston-on-Sea by checking out the Big Mini Golf Tour map.


Follow the Big Mini Golf Tour


Visit Great Yarmouth/GYTABIA

Funding from Visit Great Yarmouth/GYTABIA has helped to bring you the ‘Big Mini Golf Tour’. Visit Great Yarmouth/GYTABIA uses money raised from a business improvement district levy which is designed to raise the profile of the area, increase the number of people visiting and staying, improve the visitor experience and increase repeat visits, encourage people to stay longer and to visit more attractions and to provide incentives and opportunities to spend more in local businesses.

Dr Pac-Man's Covid-19 Testing Centre in Lanzarote

We've been documenting the signs of the covid times since the pandemic began in 2020 and have seen a number of different, interesting and fun ways to promote social distancing, testing and getting a jab.


Doctors Covid-19 Testing in Lanzarote
Doctors Covid-19 Testing in Lanzarote

This escalator advertising for a Covid-19 Testing Centre that Emily spotted in Lanzarote last month is one of the best!

Doctors Covid-19 Testing in Lanzarote
Surely Pac-Man should be avoiding the covvy though!

Doctors Covid-19 Testing in Lanzarote
Doctors Covid-19 Testing in Lanzarote

Saturday, June 18, 2022

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

A look at the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course at Hotham Park in Bognor Regis, West Sussex.


Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

A big thank you as always goes to our friend and minigolf rival Stephen Skinner for sending us these photos of the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course at Hotham Park in Bognor Regis.

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf at Hotham Park in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

We haven't played the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour yet, but back in 2011 we did play the old Crazy Golf and Putting course where the new Adventure Golf now sits.

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
A scorecard from the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course in Bognor Regis

Visit the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course website for more information.


Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis. Photo by Stephen Skinner, June 2022
Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf in Bognor Regis

Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf

New in the Crazy Golf Museum - Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador.


Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador
A brilliant car boot sale find this morning

Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador
Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf - see a video of the game in action

Electronic Arcade Crazy Golf by Ambassador
You get a nice pad of scorecards in the game

Minigolf in Denton Gardens, Worthing

Denton Gardens in Worthing, West Sussex is 100 years old today. There has been minigolf of one kind or another there for many of those years.


It's now home to the 18-hole Splash Point Mini Golf course.

Minigolf was first played in Denton Gardens on Tuesday 1st July 1924.

The 18-hole Splash Point Mini Golf course was the 181st played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Splash Point Mini Golf at Denton Gardens in Worthing. April 2019
Playing Splash Point Mini Golf in 2019

Splash Point Mini Golf in Denton Gardens, Worthing
Playing the course in 2010

Worthing, Denton Gardens, Putting Green. The Photochrom Co Ltd. Posted  to Birchington, Kent on 30 July 1928
Worthing, Denton Gardens, Putting Green. The Photochrom Co Ltd. Posted  to Birchington, Kent on 30 July 1928

Putting Green, Denton Gardens, Worthing. Photogravure by S. & E. Ltd., Hastings. Postally unused. Undated
Putting Green, Denton Gardens, Worthing. Photogravure by S. & E. Ltd., Hastings. Postally unused. Undated

Putting Green, Denton Park, Worthing - postcard. Unposted. Undated
A postcard showing the Putting Green, Denton Park, Worthing - it's unposted and undated

The Putting Green, Denton Gardens, Worthing. Picture Post Card by Wardell's. Postally unused. Undated
The Putting Green, Denton Gardens, Worthing. Picture Post Card by Wardell's. Postally unused. Undated

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Scorecard from Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby

Here's a minigolf scorecard from the Lost World Adventure Golf course in Hemsby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.

Scorecard from Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby

A lovely addition to our collection of minigolf scorecards and ephemera.

Collected on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and this year's Big Mini Golf Tour.

Puttstars Crazy Golf at Ashton Leisure Park

There are plans for a new Puttstars Crazy Golf centre at Ashton Leisure Park in Tameside.


There are plans for a new Puttstars Crazy Golf centre at Ashton Leisure Park in Tameside

Check out the Puttstars website for more information.


It'll be another new venue for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


Puttstars Mini Golf at Rochdale Riverside
Mini Golf at Puttstars

Duxbury Park Adventure Golf in Chorley

A new Adventure Golf course is opening at Duxbury Park in Chorley, Lancashire.


A new Adventure Golf course is opening at Duxbury Park in Chorley, Lancashire

The 12-hole Adventure Golf course opens on Friday 17th June.

Visit the Duxbury Park Adventure Golf course website for more information.


Another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby

Here's a minigolf scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.


Scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby
Scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby

Scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby
Scorecard from Stonehenge Adventure Golf in Hemsby

A nice addition to our collection of scorecards and ephemera.

Collected on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and this year's Big Mini Golf Tour.

Monday, June 13, 2022

Museum Week 2022

This week is Museum Week.


MuseumWeek


Since 2014 MuseumWeek has grown to include over 60,000 participants from 100+ countries. It has has become the first virtual, worldwide cultural event on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Weibo, WeChat and VKontakte.

MuseumWeek is an annual offline and online event based on the mechanism 7 days, 7 topics, 7 hashtags.

The global theme for 2022 is about innovation & culture and MuseumWeek will take this opportunity to explore 6 other topics in the whole cultural ecosystem, online and offline:
  • 13 June: #innovationMW
  • 14 June: #creatorsMW
  • 15 June: #freedomMW
  • 16 June: #sexualityMW
  • 17 June: #environmentMW 
  • 18 June: #lifeLessonsMW 
  • 19 June: #danceMW

Find out more on the Museum Week website.


The Crazy Golf Museum


As the Curator of the Crazy Golf Museum it's always nice to be able to support museum initiatives such as MuseumWeek.

The Crazy Golf Museum is the world's first virtual crazy golf museum - a worldwide archive of miniature golf memories, histories and ephemera.

The Crazy Golf Museum - the worldwide archive of miniature golf memories, histories and ephemera
The Crazy Golf Museum


Did you know:
  • The world's first Miniature Golf course was created at St Andrews, Scotland in 1867. The Himalayas is still there now and is a real pleasure to play.
  • The first minigolf course in the USA opened in 1916. James Barber opened the 'Thistle Dhu' layout in Pinehurst, NC.
  • A Miniature Golf contest was part of the Olympic Games at the 1904 St Louis Games.
  • The very first Crazy Golf course in the UK opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England.
  • The first artificial miniature golf course open in the USA in 1926 when Garnet Carter created the 'Tom Thumb' miniature golf course near Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN.
  • The first National Tom Thumb Golf Championship took place on the 23rd October 1930. 
  • The first Putt-Putt Golf course was set-up by Don Clayton in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA back in 1954.
  • National Miniature Golf Day always falls on the second Saturday in May.
  • Miniature Golf Day is always on the 21st of September.

            Visit the Crazy Golf Museum website and check out these Crazy Golf Museum-related blog posts for more info.