York duo set to open new wizard golf attraction and bar

An image of how the shop front will look when the new attraction opens. Image: Potions Cauldron Groupootthe Potions Cauldron Group.

The news follows the announcement that Potions Cauldron has created a range of soft, sugar-free drinks inspired by MARVEL superheroes, including Iron Man Reactor Red Fruits, Captain America Super-Soldier Blue Grape and Hulk Gamma Sour Lime.

The company also has The Potions Cauldon in Shambles, York, and another in Edinburgh, the Potions Express refreshment kiosk at York Railway Station, as well as the Hole in Wand Wizard Golf in York, Blackpool, Chester and at Dalton Park.

Flashback: Actor Chris Rankin, who was the elder Weasley brother Percy in the Harry Potter franchise, was among the many visitors to the York Hole in Wand. (Image: Potions Cauldron Group) Potion Cauldron’s co-founder Ben said they had incorporated all the winning ingredients from their different businesses into this latest offering – and were also exploring sites for two additional Hole in Wand attractions to open in 2026.

Ben said: “This [Leeds] will be our biggest venue to date. We have been on an X Factor-style journey and learnt what works. The permanent outdoor bar area is new for us. Lots of people have beer gardens but we think this is taking it to the next level. It will look like a wizard village – imagine Alpine chalets but with broom sticks – and will be open every day and evening.

An artist’s impression offers a taste of what the attraction will look like inside (Image: Potions Cauldron Group)  “We have added more depth and complexity to each venue. As this will be the fifth golf course it will be the most heavily themed, intricate and immersive. Each one leans into the locality. In Leeds there will be owls, lions and some local mythology and folklore, and it all ends in a vortex.”

Ben and Phil famously turned down an investment offer from Peter Jones on Dragons Den in 2023 despite the millionaire businessman reducing his potential stake in their Hole in Wand business from 33% to 15% for the same money. 

Phil Pinder and Ben Fry on Dragons’ Den (Image: Potions Cauldron Group) It was said to be the biggest offer from a single dragon to have ever been rejected in the series’ 18 years.

Ben said: “Peter wanted to invest; it was us who knocked down the dragon. We were pretty adamant of where we wanted to go with the business at the time. In business you get challenged all the time, talking to banks, investors or partners. They always ask your plan, and we have always delivered our plan for the next 18 months. I am proud we always see it through and deliver what we promise.”

The Potions Cauldron Group is also exporting its magic-inspired drinks to the United States where they are being sold at venues and attractions, with further deals on the table for locations in the Middle East and Europe.