First look: Inside York’s magical new attraction – Video and pix
If you love Harry Potter. If you love fun family games. If you love a mystery… Then you’re going fall head over heels for York’s newest attraction.
The Hole In Wand opens on Monday (17 May) – and we’ve been for a sneaky first peek.
And it is a magical mash-up of mini-golf and wizard quest.
The brainchild of Phil Pinder and Ben Fry, whose shop The Potions Cauldron weaves its own magic on Shambles, The Hole In Wand is found in the old Patisserie Valerie café in the Coppergate Centre.
It centres around the mystery of the missing gargoyle Grobblenook. Players take on nine devious holes of golf, featuring loop-the-loops, cauldrons and undulating, glow-in-the-dark floors.
And at the end they discover which magical powers they possess – taking home a gift of an enchanted potion.
There are magical twists and turns around every corner on both floors of the Hole In Wand – from floating books to secret passageways.
The Hole In Wand
Up to six players are allowed in each group. The minimum age is three
An average wizard golf experience will last around 30 minutes for two players and an hour for six players
The Hole In Wand café serves hot snacks and drinks, including alcoholic drink options for over 18s
It costs £6.99 per player
More to come…
Phil told YorkMix that they have invested a six-figure sum in the project.
“We’re both very passionate about investing in York. It was totally about trying to do what the high street really needs – and that’s to get families back into the city centre.”
The business has created 11 new jobs. All the staff get a turnover share – so they are rewarded if the business is a success.
And advanced bookings look promising.
“The first couple of weekends are pretty much sold out. Weekdays less so, obviously –we’re just coming out of lockdown and that’s the quiet time anyway.
“But looking at the first half term holiday, it’s very busy as well with only a few slots left – so if you if you want to come early on I’d suggest booking now definitely.”
And there may be more Hole In Wands to come, Phil said. “We’re always open to offers.
“We are in talks already with with a couple of people about looking at the concept and whether we can roll it out into other areas.
“We have got another big project on the horizon, which we’ll be announcing very soon as well.”
