PITCHINPLAYCOURSE DESIGN + BUILD 
Case study · Midsomer Norton
An 18-hole outdoor course where Somerset’s mining story becomes part of every round.
The brief
The site outside Dragonfly Leisure Centre needed a complete change of purpose: an existing play area was to become an enclosed 18-hole attraction with enough character to stand as a destination in its own right.
Midsomer Norton and nearby Radstock have a powerful mining story. Our challenge was to translate that heritage into an entertaining course for families, school groups and serious minigolf players—while meeting the practical demands of accessibility, evening play and a busy leisure operation.
The natural environment shaped the project before construction began. Existing trees needed careful protection, while bat considerations, planting and arboricultural requirements all had to be resolved as part of the route through planning.
That early work informed the finished layout. The course settles into the site rather than feeling imposed on it, with established greenery and new planting helping each hole feel distinct.
Instead of applying one repeated visual motif, we developed the course as a journey through a Victorian mining community. Mine gates, a school, waterside references, a pub and a full-size barge create changing scenes as players move around the course.
These elements provide more than atmosphere. They frame sightlines, conceal what comes next and give individual holes memorable identities, turning local history into part of the play.
Ground remediation came first, including the removal of unsuitable material while protecting the site’s trees. New drainage and a stable course foundation then created the base for accurate levels, durable borders and dependable all-weather use.
Reclaimed timber carving, sculpted concrete, authentic period details and two-part wetpour paths give the finished attraction texture and variety. The materials were chosen to feel convincing while remaining robust and practical to maintain.
The finished course
18 photographs · Explore the complete project
The visitor experience
Each tee introduces its feature and connects players with more of the area’s story through a QR code. It gives families and school groups an optional layer of discovery without interrupting the game.
Lighting extends the course into the evening, while sound effects bring key moments to life. At the mineshaft, players trigger the sequence themselves with a plunger—one of several playful touches designed to make a return visit feel different.
The layout is accessible throughout and was planned to accommodate organised competition as well as everyday leisure play. It successfully hosted a tournament during its first season, showing that strong theming and credible minigolf can work together.
The layout moves players through a sequence of mining-inspired scenes rather than treating theme as decoration. Built features, planting, sound and lighting combine to give the course rhythm and a clear sense of place.
Generous routes and carefully considered levels help wheelchair users, families with pushchairs and mixed-age groups enjoy the course together. Accessibility was part of the layout from the outset.
Durable surfaces, night lighting and maintainable construction support year-round public use. The result balances imaginative detail with the realities of a busy leisure destination.