'I took my kids to Leeds’ wizard-themed golf and broom school – it was the perfect Halloween day out'

I took my two children to Leeds’ magical mini golf attraction and one of them was completely 'spellbound'.

If you are looking for a magical family day out this half term, Leeds has a wizard-themed adventure that is guaranteed to put a spell on the kids.

I'd been keen to visit The Hole In Wand for a while after reading the glowing reviews on TripAdvisor, where visitors have praised everything from the elaborate decorations to the staff who throw themselves into the wizarding theme. And with Halloween fast approaching, it seemed like the perfect time to give it a go. So I took my two youngest children, aged seven and one, along with my partner to see what all the fuss was about.

My seven-year-old absolutely loved it, and even my one-year-old found plenty to look at, despite being a little too young to pick up a golf club (try telling her that though!)

The Hole In Wand is tucked away inside St John's Centre in Leeds city centre, offering a nine-hole indoor crazy golf course with a magical twist. This adventure takes you through an enchanted world of mysterious creatures, hidden tunnels, a castle of ice and a fearsome dragon called Obredon.

The idea is to follow a story as you make your way around the course, with owls, fairies and other magical surprises along the way. It feels much more like stepping into a wizarding world than simply turning up for a game of crazy golf, making it a particularly good choice for children who love all things fantasy, magic and a little bit of Halloween spookiness, like my son!

The attraction has clearly put a lot of thought into its setting, with themed details and interactive elements designed to keep children interested between holes. It is colourful, imaginative and full of things to spot, which meant there was plenty to keep my youngest entertained even though she was not playing.

My seven-year-old was straight into the adventure, keen to see what was around the next corner and tackle the different holes. It was the sort of activity where the whole family could get involved, with adults just as much a part of the experience as the children.

The staff really make the experience

One of the biggest highlights for me was the staff. From the moment we arrived, they were enthusiastic, welcoming and clearly enjoying being part of the magical world they were helping to create.

They did not simply point us in the direction of the golf course and leave us to it. They got involved in the experience, brought plenty of energy and were brilliant with the children, helping to make the visit feel like an adventure from beginning to end.

That enthusiasm makes a real difference at an attraction like this. The theming is fun, but it is the people who help bring it to life, particularly for younger visitors.

It is easy to see why the staff receive so much praise in online reviews. TripAdvisor visitors have described the team as friendly, knowledgeable and engaging, with several saying their enthusiasm was one of the best parts of the visit.

Our experience was very much in keeping with that feedback, the team were lovely with the children and made us all feel welcome.

My seven-year-old was the ideal age for The Hole In Wand. He could understand the story, get involved with the golf and enjoy the different challenges, and the magical setting gave him plenty to talk about as we made our way around.

My toddler obviously did not play, but she still enjoyed looking at all the figures, decorations and different set ups. There was plenty to catch her eye, and she was happy taking everything in as we moved through the course, especially the "froggies!"

That said, if I were visiting again, I would probably leave the toddler at home if I had the choice. We managed absolutely fine, but it would have been easier to concentrate on the game and enjoy the experience without having to think about where the little one was at the same time.

That is not a criticism of the attraction, just something worth considering if you are planning a family visit with children of very different ages. The minimum age to play is three, and the experience is best suited to children who are old enough to take part and follow the adventure.

Children under 15 must be accompanied in their group by someone aged 16 or over, so families should bear that in mind when booking. For toddlers who are not playing, the decorations and characters can still be entertaining, but the main attraction is undoubtedly the golf and interactive wizarding story.

A fun interactive experience, not just crazy golf

What makes The Hole In Wand stand out is the way it combines the golf with an immersive experience. You are not simply moving from one hole to the next. There is a story to follow, different themed spaces to explore and plenty of little details that make the course feel special.

While the wizarding theme is ideal for Halloween, it would work just as well as a rainy day activity or a treat during the school holidays. It is a good option for families who want to do something different in Leeds city centre without having to spend an entire day at one attraction.

There is also a wand and broomstick flying photo experience, giving visitors the chance to capture a magical souvenir of their visit. It has that familiar wizarding feel of the flying broomstick photo opportunities associated with the Harry Potter experience at Warner Bros Studio Tour in London, making it a fun extra for children who love that world.

The free magic potion gift included with each player's pass is another nice touch. It gives children something to take away at the end, adding to the feeling that they have completed a proper magical quest rather than simply played a game.

For my son, the combination of the golf, the characters and the interactive elements made it a really enjoyable outing. It was something we could all do together, rather than an activity where one parent ends up watching from the sidelines while the children have all the fun.

The perfect half term and Halloween treat

With October half term and Halloween around the corner, this is exactly the sort of activity worth adding to your plans. The attraction is promoting seasonal Halloween experiences, giving families another reason to visit.

It is also a brilliant option if the Yorkshire weather does its usual trick of turning grim just as you have planned a day out. The golf is indoors, so you do not have to worry about the weather ruining your plans.

If you have a little Harry Potter fan at home, I can imagine this going down especially well. The combination of spells, magical creatures and the broomstick style photo opportunity gives children the chance to get swept up in the fantasy, with plenty of opportunities for memorable family pictures.

After finishing the golf, we headed to The Wand and Tankard, the outdoor beer garden next door, for a drink. It was a lovely way to round off the visit and meant we could sit down and relax after our little magical adventure.

There are themed cocktails for grown ups and magic potion mocktails for children, which were a big hit with my son. It is a thoughtful touch that means the children can have their own special drink while the adults enjoy theirs.

I particularly liked that we could make more of the trip by stopping for a drink rather than simply leaving as soon as the golf was finished. The beer garden gives the attraction an extra dimension, making it feel like somewhere you can spend a little more time as a family or meet friends for a fun afternoon out.

My only real criticism is that the golf was over quicker than I expected. We were in and out within an hour, including time to get settled and enjoy the experience, so I would not plan for this to fill an entire afternoon on its own.

That said, the relatively short duration is also a positive if you are visiting with younger children who might struggle to concentrate on a longer activity. We had a really enjoyable time, but if we went again, I would slow down a little and take more time to enjoy the details rather than rushing from one hole to the next.

The attraction advises allowing around 45 minutes for two players, with larger groups potentially taking up to an hour. Busy periods, including weekends and school holidays, can mean longer waits to enter, so booking ahead is sensible.

I would recommend arriving with enough time to enjoy the experience rather than rushing through it. Taking your time at each hole means you can appreciate the details and interactive elements that make the course special.Overall, I thought The Hole In Wand was a really fun family activity, and my seven-year-old loved it. The imaginative setting, interactive elements and enthusiastic staff all helped make it feel like something a little more special than an ordinary game of crazy golf.

It was also genuinely enjoyable for the adults. Sometimes family days out are all about keeping the children entertained, but this was something we could take part in together, laugh about and enjoy as a group. The drinks afterwards were an added bonus.

The Hole In Wand may not occupy a whole day, but it offers a fun, colourful and memorable experience that is ideal for a shorter family outing. After seeing the glowing TripAdvisor reviews, I was pleased we finally gave it a go, and I can see why so many visitors praise the staff and the magical atmosphere.

Everything you need to know before you go

• Where: The Hole In Wand, 4 St John's Centre, Leeds, LS2 8LQ.
• Price: Tickets start from £7.49 per person. Check the booking page for available ticket types and current prices.
• Age limit: Three years old is the minimum age to play. Children under 15 must be accompanied in their group by someone aged 16 or older.
• What is included: A nine hole wizard themed mini golf experience and a complimentary magic potion gift for each player.
• How long does it take? Allow around 45 minutes for two players and up to an hour for larger groups, although our visit was over within the hour.
• Food and drink: The neighbouring Wand and Tankard offers themed cocktails and children's mocktails in its outdoor beer garden.
• Booking: Prebooking is recommended, especially during school holidays and at weekends.

Ready to plan your visit? Find prices, available time slots and tickets on The Hole In Wand Leeds official booking page, here.

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