Caddy Shack Indoor Crazy Golf at Shanklin Seafront

A look at the Caddy Shack Crazy Golf course at Shanklin Seafront on the Isle of Wight.

Catching up on a Crazy World of Minigolf Tour course visit from the summer of 2021!

A sign of the pandemic times!

Time flies and while we posted about Emily's trip to the Isle of Wight back in June 2021 we didn't get round to covering the individual course visits fully at the time.

And another

This is the Caddy Shack Crazy Golf at Shanklin Seafront.

Emily visited the course on the 12th June and returned to play the layout on the 18th June.

Check out the Caddy Shack Crazy Golf website for further information.

Caddy Shack Crazy Golf at Shanklin Seafront was the 548th course played and 960th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

We've been to the Isle of Wight several times over the years and have been to most, but not all of the courses there. Some of the courses have changed over the years, with at least two of the courses undergoing refurbishments, and one changing twice since we first played it!

It's certainly interesting seeing the changes and developments on the island and we're looking forward to another trip there in the future.

We've now travelled to a total of 1,075 courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. Our adventures began on the mainland side of the Solent at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea back in September 2006.

Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf at Shanklin Seafront on the Isle of Wight

Taking a look at the Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf course at Shanklin Seafront on the Isle of Wight.

Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf on the left, Pirates Cove Adventure Golf on the right

Catching up on a Crazy World of Minigolf Tour course visit from the summer of 2021!

Time flies and while we posted about Emily's trip to the Isle of Wight back in June 2021 we didn't get round to covering the individual course visits fully at the time.

There are two Adventure Golf courses at Shanklin Seafront. We had previously visited the Pirates Cove Adventure Golf. The Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf layout was a new course to see on Emily's trip.

This is the Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf course at Shanklin Seafront.

Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf course at Shanklin Seafront was the 959th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Jurassic Bay is located on what was a style of Arnold Palmer Putting course on our previous visit, and was originally a Beton-style miniature golf course on our first trip to the Isle of Wight. The Pirates Cove Adventure Golf layout was constructed on what had been a grass Putting Course.

Check out the Shanklin Seafront website for further information.

We've been to the Isle of Wight several times over the years and have been to most, but not all of the courses there. It's certainly interesting seeing the changes and developments on the island and we're looking forward to another trip there in the future.

We've now travelled to a total of 1,075 courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. Our adventures began on the mainland side of the Solent at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea back in September 2006.

Mr Mulligan Crazy Golf in Bournemouth

Playing the Mr Mulligan Crazy Golf course in Bournemouth.

Mr Mulligan Crazy Golf in Bournemouth

The Mr Mulligan indoor Crazy Golf course in Bournemouth, Dorset was the 563rd courses played, and 1,016th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in March last year.

Mr Mulligan Crazy Golf in Bournemouth

Check out the Mr Mulligan website for more information about the Bournemouth location, and other Mr Mulligan venues around the UK.

Mr Mulligan Crazy Golf in Bournemouth

We've been to the Mr Mulligan courses in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Cheltenham, Milton Keynes (indoor and outdoor venues), Newcastle, Norwich, Sidcup, Stevenage, Woking and Worcester.

We've yet to get to the Mr Mulligan courses in Basildon, Bristol, Hemel Hempstead, Nottingham and Tonbridge.

Blockbuster Video store in Nuneaton - May 2021

The old sign at the former Blockbuster Video store on Regent Street in Nuneaton was uncovered when a tenant of the building moved out. This is how the store looked on the 2nd May 2021.

Blockbuster Video store locations we've visited on our travels

Our interest in lost brands and retail history has taken us to several former Blockbuster stores:

• Abingdon, Oxfordshire
• Ashton, Bristol
• Barnsley, South Yorkshire
• Basingstoke, Hampshire
• Billingham, Teesside
• Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester
• Chester, Cheshire
• Chorley, Lancashire
• Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
• Colne, Lancashire
• Failsworth, Manchester
• Fallowfield, Manchester
• Felixstowe, Suffolk
• Filton, Bristol
• Great Moor, Stockport, Greater Manchester
• Hastings, East Sussex
• Leigh, Greater Manchester
• Luton, Bedfordshire
• Marple, Greater Manchester
• Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire
• Nuneaton, Warwickshire
• Oldham, Greater Manchester
• Prescot, Lancashire
• Shanklin, Isle of Wight
• Southampton, Hampshire
• Telford, Shropshire
• Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
• Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
• Wythenshawe, Manchester

Minigolf did you knows...?

Did you know these things about minigolf?

• The world's first miniature golf course was set-up at St Andrews, Scotland in 1867.
• James Barber opened the first minigolf course in the USA in 1916. The 'Lilliputian' miniature golf course was called 'Thistle Dhu' and located in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
• A Miniature Golf contest was part of the Olympic Games at the 1904 St Louis Games in the USA.
• Crazy Golf is 99 years old in 2025. The first course using the name 'Crazy Golf' opened on South Parade in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England in 1926.
• 1926 also saw the first artificial miniature golf course open in the USA. Garnet Carter opened the 'Tom Thumb' miniature golf course near Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
• The first National Tom Thumb Golf Championship took place on the 23rd October 1930.
• The first Putt-Putt brand miniature golf course was set-up by Don Clayton in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA in 1954.
• There are several Guinness World Records for achievements in Minigolf, Miniature Golf, Crazy Golf, Adventure Golf, and Putt-Putt. The 2024 edition of the Guinness World Records book featured a whole page about minigolf and you can find details of the records on the Guinness World Records website.
• There are approximately 1,370 miniature golf courses in the British Isles.
• Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour is 19 years old in 2025! In that time we've visited over 1,000 courses.
• The Crazy Golf Museum is 15 years old in 2025. The virtual online museum is a treasure trove and archive for all things related to minigolf, crazy golf, adventure golf, miniature golf, Putt Putt, and putting.
• There are two 'miniature golf days' each year. 'National Miniature Golf Day' is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2025 that will be Saturday 10th May. The other minigolf day, 'Miniature Golf Day', is always on the 21st September. In 2025 that will fall on a Sunday.

Do you have any other interesting minigolf facts or stats? If you do, get in touch and let us know what they are.

Miniature Golf 'Days' in 2025

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.

National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2025 that will be Saturday 10th May.

The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2025 that will fall on a Sunday.

Kebab Near Me in Bridgehall, Stockport

What a name for a takeaway!

We spotted the new Kebab Near Me takeaway in Bridgehall, Stockport over Christmas.

Bravo to the team at Kebab Near Me in Bridgehall, Stockport for selecting the name for the takeaway.

This is one way to be found!

Check out the Kebab Near Me website.

Blockbuster Video Express in Billingham Town Centre - April 2021

A visit to the old Blockbuster Video Express store in Billingham town centre, Teesside.

Blockbuster Video store locations we've visited on our travels

Our interest in lost brands and retail history has taken us to several former Blockbuster stores:

• Abingdon, Oxfordshire
• Ashton, Bristol
• Barnsley, South Yorkshire
• Basingstoke, Hampshire
• Billingham, Teesside
• Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester
• Chester, Cheshire
• Chorley, Lancashire
• Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
• Colne, Lancashire
• Failsworth, Manchester
• Fallowfield, Manchester
• Felixstowe, Suffolk
• Filton, Bristol
• Great Moor, Stockport, Greater Manchester
• Hastings, East Sussex
• Leigh, Greater Manchester
• Luton, Bedfordshire
• Marple, Greater Manchester
• Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire
• Nuneaton, Warwickshire
• Oldham, Greater Manchester
• Prescot, Lancashire
• Shanklin, Isle of Wight
• Southampton, Hampshire
• Telford, Shropshire
• Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
• Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
• Wythenshawe, Manchester

New minigolf courses in the UK

Information about new minigolf courses being built, in development and planned to open in the UK.

Minigolf is an incredibly popular activity for all ages and there are new mini-golf, crazy golf and adventure courses opening up all the time in a wide-range of outdoor and indoor locations.

Whereas the game in the UK was more traditionally a seaside pastime, over the last decade it has grown to be a game enjoyed by people in more urban settings - with many minigolf venues catering to a late night audience.

How many minigolf courses are there in the UK?

As at January 2025 there are approximately 1,370 minigolf courses around the UK and British Isles (including Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and other islands). This includes public courses, as well as those at pay to enter attractions, holiday parks, hotels and other 'non-standard' locations.

Developments over the last two decades

When our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the British Isles. Only two of those original courses were indoor venues. Both of these were on the East Anglian coast (in Felixstowe and Great Yarmouth), and both locations still have minigolf courses. The indoor course at Manning's Amusements in Felixstowe has recently been removed and is being replaced by a brand new layout that is set to open in the same location at Easter this year.

As the year-round, indoor game is booming and you can find minigolf courses indoors at shopping centres, retail parks, and in town and city centres around the country.

The game was traditionally played on days out, short breaks and holidays, either at the seaside or on holiday camps. While the game has always been enjoyed by people old enough to pick up a putter, it has become a game played as much by groups of adults as it is by families.

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

We've now been to a total of 1,075 miniature golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, with 1,017 of them in the British Isles. Our travels have been recognised by the Guinness World Records, and I'm a record holder for "Most miniature golf courses visited" (902 at the time of going to press). Check out the Guinness World Records 2024 book to see a lot more minigolf records too!

Of the original list of 600 we've still got to visit 39 of the public courses. In addition there are a further 150 courses at pay to enter attractions, hotels and holiday parks that we've not yet been to.

On top of these 189 courses from the original list there are hundreds more courses that have opened over the last 18 years! We tracked 320 courses that opened between May 2020 and July 2023. Between August 2023 and September 2024 a further 150 courses opened, or were in development. And between September 2024 and December 2024 another 27 new courses have been announced.

More new courses to come

There are 100+ new courses being created each year - some are on old sites/locations, some are completely new venues, while others are in planning/development, or under construction.

There are also quite a few other minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses that are short-term 'pop-ups', some of which have been used as proof of concept businesses and developed into permanent courses. 

A few things to note

Please note that minigolf in the UK is not an exact science and courses are opening, in planning/development, and being 'lost' quite often. Others are being refurbished, and some are completely renovated to the point where they could be considered entirely new courses.

Find new courses

For information about new minigolf, crazy golf, and adventure golf courses opening in the UK take a look at the posts with the 'New course' tag here on the Ham & Egger Files minigolf blog where I regularly post updates about new places to play the game.

Let's talk minigolf

If you know of a new course opening in the UK please do get in touch and let me know.

Adventure Golf at Rufford Abbey Country Park, Nottinghamshire

A look at the Adventure Golf course at Rufford Abbey Country Park in Nottinghamshire.

Adventure Golf at Rufford Abbey Country Park, Nottinghamshire. Photo by Jam Trubridge

Many thanks to our friend and minigolf rival Jam Trubridge for sending over these seasonal snaps of the Adventure Golf course at Rufford Abbey Country Park in Nottinghamshire. Due to the weather it wasn't played on this occasion.

The course was created by the team at City Golf

It looks like an interesting layout, and it's got a lot of hole designs and obstacles we've not seen or played on our travels before.

Find out more on the Rufford Abbey Country Park website.

The Adventure Golf course at Rufford Abbey Country Park is one of several we've got to get to in Nottinghamshire. So many have opened up since our last trip to the county on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

2025 British Minigolf Association Calendar of Events

Details of the British Minigolf Association Tour Calendar of Events for the 2025 Season.

The 2025 competitive minigolf season tees-off at Hastings Adventure Golf with the Hastings Open 25th Anniversary competition on the 2nd March and runs until the 16th November when Mr Mulligans Dino Golf in Sidcup hosts the English Open.

You can find out more about the British Minigolf Association on the BMGA website.

A Dull 2025?

The Dull Men's Club Calendar 2025: Events Celebrating the Ordinary Worldwide.

The new Dull Men's Club Calendar for 2025 is now available to buy.

Visit the Dull Men's Club website for more information.

Both 'National Miniature Golf Day' and 'Miniature Golf Day' feature in the calendar.

Morrisan Supermarket in Manchester

There's something familiar about this shop's name and sign...

Morrisan Supermarket in Manchester

Morrisan Supermarket in Manchester

Video rental shops in the UK (January 2025)

A look at movie rental shops in the UK.

By my reckoning there are five 'video shops' still in operation offering physical media movie rentals in the UK. They are:

• 20th Century Flicks in Bristol
• TVL Allstar Video in Haverhill, Suffolk
• Snips Movies in Bebington, Wirral
• VideOdyssey in Toxteth, Liverpool
• Northgate Video & DVD in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Unfortunately B.V.C. - Bolton Video Centre in Little Lever, Bolton closed in July 2024. We visited that particular video shop on Video Shop Day back in 2020!

It's brilliant to see there are still businesses active in the movie rental sector though!

Signs and traces of video shops

There are still traces of former video shops to be found on the streets, shopping centres and retail parks of the UK. Most of those are old Blockbuster Video stores. But there are still signs of independent video shops to be seen if you're lucky (and actually visit and rent from if you're really lucky!). Some of those we've snapped over the years include:

• Shahenshah Videos in Luton
• Deane Video Centre in Bolton
• Video Box Office at the Happy Shopper Wayfairer Discount Store in Ilkeston
• Video Future in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent
• The Movie Box in Manchester
• Jubilee Films in Ashton-under-Lyne
• B.V.C. - Bolton Video Centre in Little Lever, Bolton (closed down in 2024)
• 20th Century Flicks in Bristol (still operating, but closed on the day of our visit)
• Video Express in Swansea
• Video Rentals at The Village Top Shop in Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham
• Northgate Video & DVD in Bury St Edmunds (still operating, but closed on the day of our visit)
• TVL Allstar Video in Haverhill (still operating)

Blockbuster Video shops

Former Blockbuster Video store locations we've visited to date include:

• Abingdon, Oxfordshire
• Ashton, Bristol
• Barnsley, South Yorkshire
• Basingstoke, Hampshire
• Billingham, Teesside
• Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester
• Chester, Cheshire
• Chorley, Lancashire
• Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
• Colne, Lancashire
• Failsworth, Manchester
• Fallowfield, Manchester
• Felixstowe, Suffolk
• Filton, Bristol
• Great Moor, Stockport, Greater Manchester
• Hastings, East Sussex
• Leigh, Greater Manchester
• Luton, Bedfordshire
• Marple, Greater Manchester
• Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire
• Nuneaton, Warwickshire
• Oldham, Greater Manchester
• Prescot, Lancashire
• Shanklin, Isle of Wight
• Southampton, Hampshire
• Telford, Shropshire
• Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
• Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
• Wythenshawe, Manchester

Do you still have a video rental store near you? Please let us know in the comments if you do!

Happy New Year 2025!

Happy New Year!

All the very best for 2025.