Do you know England really well? Can you help me plan our trip to Legoland?

[crutchlow35]

We are travelling from Perth to Windsor for Legoland.

Quite a distance so we want an overnight on the way down and one coming back (at least). We have a week off work so 9 days including the weekends.

DH really wants to do alton towers but reviews tell me there isn't much to do for 5 year olds so looks like we are missing that out but if it were you, where would you stop? Could do 2 nights if it was somewhere worthwhile for the three of us?

Legoland can be covered in 2 days I think so we will see some of Windsor also so may be 4 nights there but open to suggestions if you have any!

Agree that queues are only a problem in English school holidays.

Do English schools have holidays in October? We are planning the week of 12 October?

No to DLP because it costs a fortune and I resent it given what Florida could cost for nit much more. I can get the travelodge in Slough or Windsor for £34 a night.

Stop at sundown adventureland or wheel gate for a fantastic under 10's day out!

Warwick Castle is really touristy money grabbing place. Kenilworth is a ruined castle but nicer IMO, kids run around having sword fights while you can do audio tour with them still nearby but not bored. It's not as grand but much more enjoyable.

Do not book Ramada hotel at Kenilworth! However the Q Hotel - chesford grange- is nice and has pool etc.

If you don't want to travel too far from Windsor on the days you are not going to LEGOLAND then a visit to Odds Farm near Maidenhead might be nice - as the name suggests it's a farm & you can interact with the animals. Also Bracknell Forest is nearby which has a hands-on nature museum, a great outside adventure playground and woodland walks. Both places would be a nice antidote to LEGOLAND.

If you are driving remember to factor in parking charges for hotels - there will be no free parking at Travelodge Windsor - might be better to stay outwith the town centre with free parking.

If you're staying 3 days or so look into a holiday rent. You will save on eating out costs and be able to make and take picnics.

Yes Oct hols are before England have theirs - is a great time to do London- full of Scots!

We did a similar holiday a couple of years ago. Towed caravan to Lancashire and had an afternoon in Blackpool. A few days pitched near Runnymede which was a good base for LLW, Thorpe Park for bigger kids, and some time in both London and Windsor.

Visited a few National Trust places with the picnic basket too, to break re journey each way.

Runnymede - will take a look. The holiday rentals seemed really expensive but I will have a proper look.

Legoland is brilliant on days when other children are at school. I took dd once on a drizzly September Monday and it was fantastic - all her favourites, no queues...
if you go: get there before it opens and be near the front of the queue at 10. Go to the rides you want to do that get silly-busy later. We try and do the boating school and driving license and if possible Atlantis early as these as these are the dc's favourites. We tend to just play in the busy afternoon time - shows (the pirates are great), they are doing up the pirates training ground but it re-opens I think in May, the Maze, duplo play areas etc, then try and do a few more rides at the end of the day when it get quieter.
I used to hate going but now I know what I'm doing it's OK...the dc obviously love it.

Thanks for that!