Mulligans

You'll find Mulligans tucked away in Hemel Hempstead, and it's the sort of place that punches above its weight for a rainy afternoon or when you need to burn off some energy without leaving town. This is proper miniature golf - the kind with obstacles, slopes, and enough competitive spirit to get even adults arguing over scorecard accuracy.

The course winds through indoor and outdoor sections depending on the layout, giving you that mix of daft fun and genuine skill required to sink a decent putt. Kids absolutely lap it up, especially if they're around eight or older - younger ones might find the coordination a bit fiddly, but there's no harm in them having a go. Adults find themselves surprisingly invested, often returning to 'just one more game' once they've worked out the trickier holes.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Fuzzy's Farm is just 2.6 miles away, or Whelpley Hill Park a touch further - Mulligans works as a solid backup plan when the weather turns. It's the kind of activity that fits neatly into a day out without dominating it. Allow a couple of hours including the time to queue, play, and probably grab a drink. Admission and pricing aren't crystal clear from the website, so ring ahead or check their Hemel Hempstead location page directly before you go. Worth knowing: it gets busy at weekends, so weekday mornings are your best bet for less waiting about.