On a recent business trip the the United Kingdom I got a chance to play indoor mini golf at the recommendation of my local hosts. The UK is known for having some cold and rainy winters making indoor family entertainment centers quite popular. I’ve played indoor mini golf several times before in the United States, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the next level experience I had at Treetop Adventure Golf in Birmingham. It’s tag line is “Min-golf, big adventure” and this is definitely true as this is more than mini golf, it’s adventure golf.

There are several Treetop locations across the UK and the one we played at was called BHX or (Bullring & Grand Central). The facility is located inside a sprawling shopping and dining complex adjacent to Birmingham’s main train station. You enter the course a bridge through a tunnel-like hallway which has the effect of creating a completely immersive experience separate from the rest of the shopping center. Once inside you’re immediately transported into a tropical environment with two amazing mini golf courses along with a great bar and dining area. The golf is reasonably priced at £12.5 for one course or £19.5 for both courses for adults with various discounts for students, seniors and kids. The current early bird special will also let you play both courses for only £12.5.

Treetop has two 18-hole courses or “treks” as they refer to them, Tropical Trail and Ancient Explorer. In Ancient Explorer you’ll explore ancient ruins, meet “The Fabulous Sacred Mask”, go through Viper Valley and hit your ball into a whirlpool. On the Tropical Trail you’ll meet a talking tree, meet some singing frogs and see a bird show. There’s no real better course here, they’re both awesome for different reasons.

What really makes Treetop special are the special effects and immersion you’ll experience. The use of video, lighting and sound blend seamlessly for almost a theme park dark ride style experience. There are a few places you’ll notice this on each course above and beyond your typical mini golf theming. On the Tropical Trail there’s a hole where you’ll meet “The Mighty Oracle” who is a talking tree. After hitting your ball the lights will dim, drums and chants will pulsate while you’ll probably be insulted by a tree, “shame, shame, shame, shame… In simple terms, aim better, now move on!”

Later on during the Tropical Trail you’ll come up on Birdie Boulevard which is a giant birdhouse that will put on a show for you. You’ll also meet three singing frogs that will serenade you with their own versions of everything from Dolly Parton to modern pop music.

On the Ancient Explorer Trek you’ll have a conversation with “The Fabulous Sacred Mask” who may critique your golf game. You’ll also have to deal with an exploding mine. On both courses you’ll have a bonus 19th hole to try to win a free round of golf.

The food at Treetop is really much more than you would normally expect from a family entertainment center. This isn’t premade and reheated junk food, but something that could be a standalone restaurant. It’s really 3 parts in one with Pizza Cabana, Thirsty Toucan and Jungle Buzz Cafe all coming together to form the food area of the facility. The pizza is handmade and excellent, but there is also a selection of sandwich melts as well. There is a full bar with a great selection of local craft beers. The Jungle Buzz Cafe has all your favorite coffee drinks, milkshakes and delicious baked treats. The whole seating area is also very comfortable with some tables with views of the course action and some more secluded, but still continuing the adventure golf theme.

Birmingham, UK is a city loaded with great indoor family entertainment including other indoor mini golf courses, racing simulators, VR centers, rock climbing and other amusement experiences. When the weather turns cold and rainy there’s still tons to do in this competitive entertainment market. Where many family entertainment centers may have a mini golf course, mini golf is the sole focus of Treetop Golf and they do it very well. If you find yourself in Birmingham be sure to check out Treetop Adventure Golf!