Creative

All the fun of the fair! How to make Dick and Angel's Homemade Garden Games

Whether it's a street party or gathering in your garden, entertain guests with these nostalgic homemade garden games made by Dick and Angel for their wedding at The Chateau.

"Angel had an idea that a wedding could not take place unless there was suitable entertainment for the guests. I have to say that was a novel concept for me as I thought the wedding was the entertainment? So despite the many priorities we had, the games room was up there with the ‘must dos’. The concept was easy to grasp – simple fun from a bygone era."

A Coconut Shy

A true classic! Although the origins of the game are unclear, early references appear in the late 1800s. It probably derives from the game of Aunt Sally, with coconuts being seen as an exotic prize in the late 19th century and into the 20th century. Simple fun that never gets old!

Ring & Hoop

It is a simple game but not as easy as you may think, especially after a couple of drinks. For their wedding Dick tracked down a ring amongst the metalwork he had collected around the Chateau, so the cost was minimal!Word of warning – if you stand too close, the ring can come back and hit you about head level.

The Marble Skate Park

Rolling a variety of marbles along the curved plywood through ‘gates’ was a simple concept, but it does need to be gently sloping away so the marbles reach the end of the course. There needs to be a system underneath that return the marbles. Fortunately for Dick and Angel, the door in the coach house is actually sloped to perfection.

Discover more of Dick and Angel's garden games in their book The Chateau: The Beginning.