Crazy golf putts pub on the map

A refurbished nine-hole crazy golf course in the beer garden of a village pub is pulling in the putting punters after being saved for a second time.

The course was once played by generations of holidaymakers at the much-loved Rotunda funfair on Folkestone seafront, and was rescued from the site when it was cleared ahead of redevelopment for housing.

It was moved to The Woolpack in Smeeth about 20 years ago, but over the years it had fallen into decay and was destined for the scrapheap.

But lockdown gave it a reprieve and work was done to revitalise the attraction.

Now people are flocking from far and wide to play the course while enjoying a drink in the garden.

Landlord Dave Church said: “It’s been here for about 20 years, but it has been a bit neglected.

“We were going to rip the thing out, but with the lockdown it remained and we just decided to do it up.

“We’ve had family after family

coming in, a lot of people reminiscing about it. It’s put us on the map.”

Pub manager Ruth Blanc started at the Church Road pub this summer and says she has never worked anywhere with such a unique attraction.

“It’s been completely chocka,” she said. “It’s been going really, really well.

“We have had people from two years old, up to older couples,

it’s been a complete mixture of people. It’s really taken off, and we have had people coming from Surrey and Sussex.

“It’s definitely something unique, we have got a massive garden but people don’t realise just how big it is.”

Pub customers can play the nine holes for £1 per person, with clubs, scorecards and pencils provided for players tackling the course.

The crazy golf course from the former Rotunda funfair was refurbished during lockdown

Nine holes can be played at The Woolpack Inn at Smeeth

The Rotunda in Folkestone was demolished in 2002