Wednesday, August 09, 2023

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk.


Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Many thanks to our friend Sophia for sending over snaps of the Crazy Golf course at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton.

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

It's always brilliant finding our about, and seeing courses, we didn't know about already!

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Visit the Searles Leisure Resort website for more information.


Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Crazy Golf at Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Norfolk

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne

A look at the Blockbuster Video Express store in Colne, Lancashire.


We visited the former Blockbuster Video Express shop in Colne on this day in 2020.

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne. August 2020
Blockbuster Video Express in Colne, Lancashire

Exploring during the coronavirus pandemic


As our out-of-home minigolfing adventures were curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic I needed to scratch my exploring itch somehow. During the first nationwide lockdown Emily and I spent our daily outside exercise time walking around the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport where we managed to visit and photograph every one of the 265 pubs, bars and clubs in the area!

On our limited travels we also photographed as many pieces of Covid-19-related signage as we could.

The next mini 'tickable list' urban exploration challenge tapped into my interest in ghost signs, shops, retail marketing and old brands. Ever since I found the remnants of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019 I've been amazed to see the brand still has a lingering presence in other places too.

Here's the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Colne and how it looked in August 2020.


Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
Some of the exterior signage

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
Blockbuster Video Express

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
A notice of Administration taped on the inside of the shop window. Note the tape used is Blockbuster branded

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
The old QuikDrop box

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
The sign on the front of the shop was long gone

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne
A look inside the former Blockbuster Video Express store. Still recognisable as a video shop

Blockbuster Video Express in Colne






Blockbuster Video in the UK


Blockbuster Video entered the UK video rental market in 1989 following the purchase of Ritz Video.

I remember going to the Ritz Video shop on the Peachcroft Estate in my home town of Abingdon, Oxfordshire in the late 80's and early 90's. That store became a Blockbuster and I rented some classics from there back in the day. Check out this post from the excellent Abingdon Blog to see a photo of the shuttered shop in 2014.

Most Blockbuster Video Express stores were somewhat smaller than regular Blockbuster shops. Although all of the stores expanded to include video game rentals. Old signage for the games area has been clearly visible on both the Fallowfield and Colne stores I've been to.

In 2013 there were over 500 Blockbuster locations in the UK. Throughout that year the number dwindled until October when only 264 shops remained. On the 16th December 2013 all stores ceased operations.

Blockbuster Video store locations we've visited


Tuesday, August 08, 2023

Plans for a new mini golf course in Oxford

There are plans to create a new mini golf course at Bury Knowle Park in Headington, Oxford.


The mini golf would be an addition to the park along with several other activities including table tennis and shuffleboard.

Bury Knowle Park in Headington used to be home to a Swedish Felt B-Run type of minigolf course.

The former minigolf course at Bury Knowle Park in Oxford
This was the old course at Bury Knowle Park


Playing minigolf at Bury Knowle Park in Headington, Oxford
Playing the old the old course at Bury Knowle Park in the late noughties. How time flies!

It'll be interesting to see if the plans for the new course are approved and I look forward to giving it a play on a revisit to my home city if it does.

Monday, August 07, 2023

Puttstars Mini Golf at Hollywood Bowl Leeds

There's a Puttstars Mini Golf course at the Hollywood Bowl in Kirkstall, Leeds.


The recently refurbished Hollywood Bowl tenpin bowling centre in Kirkstall, Leeds is now home to a 9-hole Puttstars mini golf course too.

Puttstars Mini Golf
Puttstars Mini Golf in Rochdale. Visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in June 2021

The course is the second Puttstars to open in Leeds. There's also a Puttstars Mini Golf venue at The Springs retail and leisure park.

Check out the Puttstars website for more information.

Sunday, August 06, 2023

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Playing the Crazy Golf course at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere.


Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

We managed to have a game on the Crazy Golf course at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere during our short break in the Lake District earlier this summer.

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

In our round on the 9-hole Crazy Golf course Emily won with a resounding 26 to 33 scoreline.

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

The course became the 567th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, having previously been visited in 2012.

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Check out the Glebe Park website for more information.


Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere

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.

Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf in Barry Island, Wales

A look at the Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf course in Barry Island, Wales.


Thanks to our friend and minigolf rival Jam Trubridge for sending us these photos of the Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf course in Barry Island, Wales earlier this year.

Barry Island Adventure Golf. Photo by James Trubridge, April 2023
Barry Island Adventure Golf

Barry Island Adventure Golf. Photo by James Trubridge, April 2023
Barry Island Adventure Golf

We played the Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in August 2009. 

Minigolf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

A look at the miniature golf courses at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside, Cumbria.


Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

We had a nice long weekend in the Lake District in June where we revisited some courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Crazy Golf and Pitch N Putt at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Crazy Golf and Pitch N Putt at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside is home to a Crazy Golf course and a Pitch N Putt layout.

Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Crazy Golf at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside


Croquet at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Croquet at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

The Pitch N Putt looks like a nice tricky layout and the views and location are very pleasant indeed.

Pitch N Putt at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside
Pitch N Putt at White Platts Recreation Ground in Ambleside

From the archives: The Swingers Club Mini Golf in Las Vegas

A look back at The Swingers Club Mini Golf in Las Vegas.


A look back at The Swingers Club Mini Golf in Las Vegas


The course was the 268th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Swingers Crazy Golf in Las Vegas

A new Swingers Crazy Golf venue is opening in Las Vegas, USA in 2024.


A new Swingers Crazy Golf venue is opening in Las Vegas, USA in 2024

The new Swingers Crazy Golf location will be at MGM's Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Swingers Crazy Golf Las Vegas will be home to five Crazy Golf course spread across three floors.

Visit the Swingers Crazy Golf website for more information.

Swingers Crazy Golf began as a pop-up in London, England back in 2014 where it now has two permanent locations. You can also find Swingers Crazy Golf courses in New York City and Washington DC.

Swingers Crazy Golf in London on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visit in 2019
Swingers Crazy Golf in London on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visit in 2019

Mini-Golf at Legoland Windsor

A new Mini-Golf course is opening at Legoland Windsor.


A new Mini-Golf course is opening at Legoland Windsor

The 9-hole indoor Mini-Golf course will be the world's first to use Lego theming.

The attraction at Legoland is due to open in October.

Visit the Legoland Windsor website for more information about Legoland Adventure Golf.

Legoland Windsor was previously home to an outdoor crazy golf course - called 'Mole-in-One Mini Golf' - but that layout closed in 2013.

New Crazy Golf course in Towyn

A new Crazy Golf course is opening in Towyn, North Wales.


A new Crazy Golf course is opening in Towyn

The 12-hole Crazy Golf course is located at the Old School House on Towyn Road.

The outdoor Crazy Golf course will have a castle-theme to it.

Visit the Crazy Golf Towyn Facebook Page for more information.


It'll be nice to swing by Towyn again on our next visit to the North Wales coast.

Mini-Golf plans for Hillsborough Park in Sheffield

There are plans to create a Mini-Golf course at Hillsborough Park, Sheffield.


There are plans to create a Mini-Golf course at Hillsborough Park, Sheffield

It'll be another new location to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour if it's created.

Golf It! at Hogganfield Park in Glasgow

The new Golf It! centre in Glasgow opens today (Saturday 5th August).


The new Golf It! centre in Glasgow opened on Saturday 5th August 2023

The venue has been created to appeal to golfers and non-golfers alike and features three Adventure Golf courses, a variety of Pitch & Putt, putting greens, and a large driving range.

Golf It! has been created by the R&A.

Visit the Golf It! website for more information.

Friday, August 04, 2023

A Woolworths ghost sign in Stafford

Finding a Woolworths ghost sign in Stafford.


A Woolworths ghost sign in Stafford
A Woolworths ghost sign in Stafford (May 2023)

While having a wander around Stafford earlier this year my eyes were drawn to this ghost sign on the front of a building on Princess Street in the town centre.

A Woolworths ghost sign in Stafford (May 2023)
A Woolworths ghost sign in Stafford (May 2023)

Inside the former Woolworths shop in Stafford (May 2023)
The insides of the former Woolies

A Woolworths ghost sign in Stafford (May 2023)
The old Woolworths shop location had been home to Sports Direct in more recent times

Other former Woolworths shops

It's fun seeing old & lost brands, ghost signs and retail relics. I took a look at the ghost signs on a former Woolworths store on Blackpool promenade in September 2021.

We saw a Woolworths ghost sign in Nuneaton in May 2022 too. That was a nice surprise!

Like the Blackpool store, the Nuneaton shop site had also most recently been a Poundland and a TJ Hughes.


The last Woolworths shop in the UK closed in January 2009. Every so often remnants of the brand become visible again.


We took a look at an old Woolworths store in Brunstane, Edinburgh in August 2011. That was a Big W Woolworths store at The Jewel retail park. It's long gone now.