The Honeymoon Cottages stood on the north side of Clifton Hill in the early 1950s. Advertising from that time indicated that there were 40 units, each with a private bath. They were located in “spacious grounds next to Queen Victoria Park”. The Honeymoon Motel and Cabins were located next to the cottages. The entire complex was owned by the Burland family, who originally operated a campground at the same location as early as 1928.

Businesses that replaced the cottages over the years included the Coachlight Restaurant and Gift Shop, the Life Museum and Silhouette Portraits. 

Opening in June 1978, the Guinness World Records Museum hoped customers would become directly involved in the exhibits. Youngsters were invited to climb the steps to peer out of the eyes of a figure that represented the world’s tallest man. As well, visitors could climb into the pants of the world’s heaviest man. Newspaper advertisements at the time of opening boasted about “five video centres that would show vintage footage of actual records being broken,” as well as “authentic artifacts gathered from around the world.”

Huge crowds gathered on opening day to see Sandy Allen, the world’s tallest woman, at 7-foot-7¼. They were also able to watch 74-year-old Henri LaMothe dive from a 40-foot platform into only 14 inches of water.

The museum closed its doors for a few months starting in December 1988 in order to undergo extensive renovations. Sets designed in England were added as well as four new video stations and three data banks “containing every type of sporting information possible.” Many live spectacles were also featured including “Komar” who invited two people to stand on top of him while he lied on a bed of nails and “Count Desmond” the sword swallower. A new world record was set that day when Florida teen Michael Kettman broke his own record by spinning 11 basketballs simultaneously.

Many of us will remember the arrival of an eye-catching addition to the Guinness World Records Museum that arrived in 2001. Known as a kugel (which is the German word for ball), the 4,500-kilogram granite ball seemed to float on water above its 5,400-kg base. Despite its massive weight, the $300,000 ball was able to revolve on its base with just 18 pounds of water pressure and the touch of a finger.

Sadly, the decision was made to close the Guinness World Records Museum and its last day of operation was on Sept. 7, 2020. Although management stated that this decision was not COVID-19 related, it is unfortunate that members of the public were not given the opportunity to visit the museum one last time.

Today (2021), this area is home to Travelodge at the Falls, Ruby Tuesday restaurant and the Fun House.