In a nutshell
A plastic-fantastic family theme park comprising 55 rides and attractions, live shows, a water-play park, themed hotel and lots and lots of Lego (80m bricks, at the last count), set in 150 acres of parkland.
Best thing about it?
The most popular rides, such as The Dragon rollercoaster and the Lego City Driving School, attract long queues, but the highlight for our six-year-old was Miniland, where you can wander among Lego recreations of European landmarks, and the brand new Heartlake City area, where she had her photo taken with her favourite Lego Friend characters. The Pirates of Skeleton Bay stunt show, with its high-diving displays, was also a hit.
Fun fact
The smallest Lego models in Miniland are the pigeons in Trafalgar Square, which contain just five bricks each.
What about lunch?
There are four restaurants and several fast-food outlets (half of which seemed to be shut, though it wasn’t high season) serving an uninspired selection of burgers, hot dogs, pizza, pasta etc. A so-so children’s meal of fish goujons with Lego fries at the Hill Top Cafe costs £5.50. Take a packed lunch.
Exit through the gift shop?
You won’t leave empty-handed. The BIG Shop by the park exit is the largest Lego shop in the UK, stocking “hard-to-find” products, a mind-boggling array of merchandise, and a “pick-and-mix” station which lets you design your own mini-figures.
Getting there
A shuttle-bus service operates from outside Windsor & Eton Central railway station to Legoland (firstgroup.com). It costs from £5 to park at Legoland, which seems a bit cheeky given the high cost of entry and the fact that public transport is limited.
Opening times
It varies, but as a general guide, week days 10am–5pm and weekends 10am-6pm, with late openings for the popular “Brick or Treat” Halloween events and end-of-season firework displays (17 Oct-2 Nov). Legoland is closed from November to March, apart from its Christmas “Bricktacular” event (21 Nov-23 Dec), which must be pre-booked.
Value for money?
There’s more to see and do here than you can possibly squeeze into one day but it doesn’t come cheap: tickets on the gate are £49.20 per adult and £45 per child (under-threes go free) but you save 25% if you book seven days in advance, legoland.co.uk. If you have Tesco Clubcard vouchers or Nectar points, it works out cheaper still. The Q-Bot Virtual Queueing System allows you to book rides and skip the queues but costs an extra £15pp (online).
Verdict
7/10
