LEGOLAND, WINDSOR

overall rating: 7/10

LEGOLAND, Windsor - a day out for ALL the family

Getting In

Legoland is expensive for a day trip so try and get some money off.  AA members can get ?5 off per ticket.  Or you can use Tesco Deals vouchers (trade in your coupons ?2.50 = ?10!).  Otherwise you will be spending ?22 per child (under 3yrs go free) and ?24 per adult.  The annual passes though are terrific value. For details of booking online, check out Legoland.

We recommend you arrive at 10am to get parked and avoid long queues.  you can pay an extra ?5 for preferential parking near the gate - worth it is you arrive late morning.

For travel details check out the Legoland site.

Entertainment

There are about 50 rides/attractions in the park, ranging from big dipper rides to gentle boats on babbling brooks.  As with all theme parks, you have to watch the height restrictions, so it's really worth planning your route if you have small children.  There is a great play area for little ones with water fountains and lots of imaginative climbing.  Take a towel and at least one change of clothes.

Adults can enjoy it too but you'll need lots of energy.  It's hilly so make use of the train to get back up the hill.

If you go on the Extreme Team Challenge you WILL need some spare trousers (wet!!!).

The queues are bad and there's no entertainment while you wait (Leogland - this would be a real bonus).  And some of the smaller rides (Dino Safari) are a long wait for nothing much.  The Rat Trap is a big climbing play 'hut' with no queues and is really good - coffee bar and seating nearby!  Unfortunately some anti-social child had thrown up all over it when we went so we couldn't use it!

Food and refreshments

Lots of kiosks for fast fast food and drinks.  The Big Restaurant is excellent - big, fast and good quality food.  We fed five hungry children and two greedy adults for ?26.  The fish was really fresh and portions were generous.  And there's plenty of seating.

There are few picnic areas and this is obviously not encouraged so if you can afford lunch then treat yourself.

Summary

I'm not a huge fan of theme parks but this one is OK.  I would describe it like childbirth, you need a year to get over it before you think of doing it again.