Thursday, February 08, 2024

The old Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

A look at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.


Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

We visited the old Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea in April. It was nice to see some of the signage was still in place, even though there was a lot of scaffolding up around it.

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

I've since heard that all of the Blockbuster signage has now been removed.

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)


It's always fun to see ghost signs, remnants of old & dead brands and interesting signage while out and about on our travels. Since I found the remains of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019 I've been intrigued to see the brand still has a lingering presence on the high street. The last Blockbuster Video shop ceased trading in the UK in December 2013!

Our travels have taken us to several former Blockbuster stores:

Sunday, February 04, 2024

Obstacle Golf at Hope Park in Keswick, Cumbria, June 2023

We revisited the Obstacle Golf course at Hope Park in Keswick, Cumbria during our short break in the Lake District last summer.


Obstacle Golf at Hope Park in Keswick, Cumbria
Obstacle Golf at Hope Park in Keswick, Cumbria

There's also a grass Putting layout and a Pitch & Putt at Hope Park (and Boules) and there are some wonderful views of the Skiddaw mountain from the courses.

We first visited the park back in April 2012 and played the Putting course on that occasion.





Check out this blog post to see more of the course.

Crazy Golf at Glebe Park in Bowness-on-Windermere, June 2023

A look at the Crazy Golf course 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

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 last summer.



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

Check out this blog post to see more of the course

Mini Golf at Game On! in Carlisle

There's a new minigolf venue in Carlisle, Cumbria.


There's a new minigolf venue in Carlisle, Cumbria

A new minigolf course has opened at Game On! in Carlisle.

The venue is also home to tenpin bowling.

Check out the Game On! website for more information.

It's another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Saturday, February 03, 2024

The old Blockbuster Video store in Southampton

A look at the former Blockbuster Video store in Southampton.


Blockbuster Video in Southampton

We visited the old Blockbuster Video store on Portswood Road in Southampton, Hampshire back in May 2021.

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

Work was underway to open the location as a new business. Luckily there were still some traces of the Blockbuster brand.

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

Blockbuster Video in Southampton

Finding other old Blockbuster Video shops.


It's always fun to see ghost signs, remnants of old & dead brands and interesting signage while out and about on our travels. Since I found the remains of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019 I've been intrigued to see the brand still has a lingering presence on the high street. The last Blockbuster Video shop ceased trading in the UK in December 2013!

Our travels have taken us to several former Blockbuster stores:

Friday, February 02, 2024

New mini golf at Russell Park in Bedford

Bedford's Russell Park will be home to a new mini golf course.


Bedford's Russell Park will be home to a new mini golf course

The new mini golf course at Russell Park in Bedford, Bedfordshire will be a 12-hole layout and will replace the existing grass miniature golf course.

The Putting Green at Russell Park in Bedford, July 2010
The Putting Green at Russell Park in Bedford, July 2010

The Russell Park outdoor mini golf course will be themed with holes and obstacles containing local history.

The Putting Green at Russell Park in Bedford, July 2010
The Putting Green at Russell Park in Bedford, July 2010

The Putting Green at Russell Park in Bedford was the 184th course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in July 2010 and we played it several times when we lived nearby.

New Crazy Golf at Richardson's Hemsby Beach Holiday Park in Norfolk

Richardson's Hemsby Beach Holiday Park in Norfolk will be home to a new Crazy Golf course.


Richardson's Hemsby Beach Holiday Park in Norfolk will be home to a new Crazy Golf course

The Crazy Golf course is part of a programme of renovations and upgrades at Richardson's Hemsby Beach Holiday Park.

Visit the Richardson's Hemsby Beach Holiday Park website for more information.

Art Mini Golf at The Minories in Colchester

An art-based Mini Golf course has been created at The Minories in Colchester, Essex.


An art-based Mini Golf course has been created at The Minories in Colchester, Essex

The artist created minigolf course will be open from the 11th February to the 25th February.

Thursday, February 01, 2024

Toys R Us shopping trolleys in Stockport

We're always interested in spotting remains of retailers of yesteryear and saw this pair of Toys R Us shopping trolleys at the Renewal North West charity shop in Stockport.


Toys R Us shopping trolley in Stockport

Toys R Us shopping trolley in Stockport


I worked in the Gipsy Lane Toys R Us store in Luton, Bedfordshire back in the year 2000.

Toys R Us closed in the UK in April 2018. It's interesting to see that there are still remnants of the original brand in the UK. 

Toys R Us returned to the UK in 2023, as the brand can now be found in some branches of WH Smith. We haven't been near to any of the new version stores yet. It'll be interesting to see what they're like.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Players Golf & Games in Shrewsbury

There's a new indoor minigolf course in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.


There's a new indoor minigolf course in Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Players Golf & Games opened in Shrewsbury in late 2023 and is home to a 9-hole indoor crazy golf course.

Check out the Players Shrewsbury website for more information.

We went to Shrewsbury twice last year, both times before Players opened. It'll be another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour next time were in the town.

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida, USA

A visit to Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida, USA.


Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida
Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida

Emily played the Congo River Golf course in Orlando, Florida last September.

There are real alligators at Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida
There are real alligators at Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida

The 18-hole Orlando I-Drive Congo River Golf  location was the 1,030th course visited and 569th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The gators at Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida
The gators at Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida

The gators at Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida
The gators at Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida

Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida
Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida

Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida
Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida

There are several Congo River Golf adventure golf courses in Florida.

Visit the Congo River Golf website for more information.


Pencils and promotional scratchcards at Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida
Pencils and promotional scratchcards at Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida

A wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube man in Florida

Emily spotted a wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube man in Florida last year.


A wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube man in Florida
Emily spotted this wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube man on North Federal Highway 1 between Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale in Florida last September

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

A visit to The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf course in York.


The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

Emily visited The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf course in York last November.

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf was the 1,043 visited and 573rd course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
Potions for sale at The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

Check out The Hole in Wand Magical Mini Golf course website for more information.


The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York
The Hole In Wand Magical Mini Golf in York

Adventure Golf at Lyons Winkups Holiday Park in Towyn

A new Safari Adventure Golf course is opening at Lyons Winkups Holiday Park in Towyn.


A new Safari Adventure Golf course is opening at Lyons Winkups Holiday Park in Towyn

The new safari adventure golf course is planned to open in time for Easter this year.

Check out the Lyons Holiday Parks website for more information.

We've played the Pirate Island Adventure Golf course at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Camp in Rhyl. It was one of the best courses I've played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Friday, January 19, 2024

Crazy Golfing at Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm

Videos of the Crazy Golf course at Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm in Hatfield, Doncaster.


Crazy Golf course at Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm

On this day in 2020 we visited our 945th minigolf course when we played the 11-hole layout at Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm in Hatfield, Doncaster.














Visit the Sunnybank Gardens & The Yorkshire Ice Cream Farm on Facebook for more information and opening times.