Lego Land, Windsor, London

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Lego land has one of the most complicated pricing structures I’ve come across. During peak season (from July) a visit will cost you £23 for an adult and £ 20 for a child (under 3’s go free) if you pay at the gate. If you book on line then you need to do so at least 4 days in advance and you will save a few pounds on both adult and child tickets. Off peak costs £21 for an adult and £19 for a child.

It is possible ...
...stocked shop which sell every Lego kit imaginable and more besides. I would suggest you leave this area until the end of the day and head for the more popular rides to avoid queuing.


Imagination centre
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In this area is a theatre with a changing programme. We have also been very impressed with the live shows here, especially at Christmas. Again I suggest you check your map, which gives show times ... more

I hate theme parks with a passion and avoid them at all costs. However there is one exception to this –Legoland, Windsor .The place is a delight for adults and children and I love visiting as much as my children!

How to find it
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Legoland Windsor is on the B 3022 2 miles from Windsor. It is easy to reach via the m 25,junction 3 of the M3, or junction 6 of the M4.There are plenty of signs pointing you in the right direction and even I didn’t get lost! Once in the park there is plenty of free parking with lots of spaces for visitors with a disability near to the entrance.

It is possible to reach the park using public transport, but I haven’t tried this so can’t comment! There are buses that go directly to the park from Windsor station.

The Cost
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Lego land has one of the most complicated pricing structures I’ve come across. During peak season (from July) a visit will cost you £23 for an adult and £ 20 for a child (under 3’s go free) if you pay at the gate. If you book on line then you need to do so at least 4 days in advance and you will save a few pounds on both adult and child tickets. Off peak costs £21 for an adult and £19 for a child.

It is possible to buy an annual pass for £55 for an adult and £45 for a child, great if you live nearby. A fun pass will cost £40 and entitles you to visit as many times as you like before 30th September (excluding august except after 4 pm)

I think the best way to pay is by using either air miles. 250 miles gets you an adult ticket with 150 needed for a child ticket. Tesco rewards also offer tickets in exchange for club card vouchers. Both these schemes work out a lot cheaper than paying on the gate.

Right so now you are in the park, what is there to do and how do you get the most from your visit?

The park is split up into 9 different areas, each with a theme. I strongly advise you to take a few minutes to study the map you will be given at the pay booth before you start your day.

The beginning
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The appropriately named first area. Here you can design your own racing car and put it to the test against other drivers. This is also the area to hire a pushchair or wheelchair if you need to. There are also loos (always a good idea before you start)! The beginning has a café which remains open after the rest of the park closes and a very well stocked shop which sell every Lego kit imaginable and more besides. I would suggest you leave this area until the end of the day and head for the more popular rides to avoid queuing.

Imagination centre
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In this area is a theatre with a changing programme. We have also been very impressed with the live shows here, especially at Christmas. Again I suggest you check your map, which gives show times so you can plan your day.

Imagination centre also has a pole to climb up and absail down, if you like heights. This really is only suitable for older children. Here you can ride on the skyriders, lego cars that circle the area from several metres up! It is possible to take a train ride from the beginning to the main area of the park.

Mini land
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This is my personal favourite. Miniland is pure magic; around 35 million Lego bricks have been used to create many of the cities of Europe in minature. All have amazing animation. My 2-year-old son was enthralled for hours! I think London is one of the most impressive, with the changing of the guard complete with marching minature soldiers and band music. There are trains that pass through the stations, taxis that drive along the roads all with convincing sound effects. We also loved watching the barges pass through the canals in Holland and the loch ness monster emerges from the loch in Scotland. I suggest you allow an hour for this area. As you don’t have to queue I always leave this area until the end of the day.

Duplo land
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This area is the most suitable for the under 5’s. It is all built using brightly coloured duplo bricks. Here children can ride on a replica duplo train, something my son wanted to do over and over again! There is an area with shooting waterspouts and other wet delights, bring a change of clothes and a towel! Another of my favourites is here too, story book land, where you can take a relaxing boat ride through various fairy story scenes. My 6 year old enjoyed the helicopters on our last visit, basically replica helicopters you pilot yourself. Duplo land also has a very imaginative, safe, playground all based on colourful duplo.

The traffic area
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This is a very popular area and one I visit early on in the day before the crowds arrive. The traffic area contains 2 driving schools, one for 3-5 year olds, where little ones can drive their own life size Lego
Car and control it by pushing down on a pedal-great fun! There is a similar experience for bigger children on a larger scale. Older children have to negotiate traffic lights and roundabouts to pass their driving test and receive a licence with a photo, just like the real thing, be warned there is a charge for the licence!

Traffic land also has a wonderful boating school with Lego boats to sit in and steer along a river with lots of Lego surprises such as a crocodile and elephants that spray water over you. My 2 year old was really not impressed by this one I’m afraid! If you like heights then you can pilot a balloon here too, by pulling on a string the balloon will travel 40 feet up!

My town
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My town is the place to watch live stunt shows around the Lego land harbour-arrive early to ensure you get a seat near the front. My children were not particularly interested in the stunt show, preferring the rides and miniland. My town has an explorer’s institute where you can walk through different rooms and experience lots of scary surprises. This one is really quite dark scary and my children were not too keen. Another real favourite in this area is the orient express train, which takes you right around the park. The ride passes lots of really imaginative landscapes and exotic animals. The ride is a great way to enjoy a relaxing 10 minutes!

Wild woods
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This has a pirate theme. There is a very popular log flume ride called the pirate falls, this is another one best done early in the day. There is a height restriction for this ride and a towel is useful! Rattrap is a very imaginative adventure playground with no queues. I would warn that it is easy for little ones to get lost in the maze type runs so you will need to stay with them. We enjoyed the enchantered forest, where you can see Lego foxes, ants and badgers amongst others, all with realistic sounds.

Knights kingdom
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This is the most popular area and so attracts the biggest crowds. The area is built around a huge castle complete with a dragon and knights on horsback, all made out of Lego bricks. The dragon’s lair is a brilliant roller coaster ride and I suggest you head for this one first. There is also a smaller and gentler version for little ones. There is a banqueting hall complete with log fire where you can buy a range of hot food. We did have a snack here but as with most theme parks the food was overpriced and disappointing.

Adventure land
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This area is really for older children. The jungle coaster is a roller coaster with a 40-foot drop and is not one we have experienced. There is a climbing wall with a certificate for children who complete it.

All the areas have more rides and attractions than I have outlined, but I have tried to pick out a few of our favourites to give you taste of what’s on offer and the best way to plan your day.

Refeshments and other facilities
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I always take a picnic when out for the day as it is so much cheaper and I know what I’m eating! There are plenty of palaces to picnic in Lego land, and purpose built benches. I would advise you to take plenty of drinks too as although available they are not cheap. If picnics are not your thing then there are numerous themed eating-places selling everything from full cooked meals to snacks. There are also carts selling ice creams and other snacks around the park.

There are plenty of well-maintained loo blocks through out the park complete with baby changing facilities. If you need to feed your baby then I recommend the baby station in my town. This one has comfortable chairs and changing stations with Lego mobiles above plus Lego bricks to play with if you have another child in tow.

If you want to take home a souvenir there are shops in each area selling themed goods. I advise you wait until the end of the day and visit the large shop near the entrance which stocks the full range of themed goods in addition to numerous Lego sets. The park is really well set up for disabled visitors and cares can enter the park free, worth noting, as this is not advertised! Wheel chair users can access the whole park and there is a train that takes you from the beginning to the main body of the park and back if you have problems walking far.

I would highly recommend this park and would suggest you visit during term time to avoid the crowds if you can. I have always found the staff helpful and polite. One last point, when you arrive your child will be offered a care to pin on with your mobile phone number on in case they get lost, easy to do here! I think this is an excellent idea so remember to take your phone and make sure it is charged!

 

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