Windsor Castle/Legoland

[sweetpeacab]

Hi all, have booked tickets to Legoland for Friday, taking DD 7 and DS 2, with an overnight stay.

Was planning to visit Windsor Castle on the Saturday, but now having second thoughts. Does anyone have any experience of Windsor Castle, taking young children etc. Am worried there may not be enough to keep them amused, and wonder if we would be better with a 2 day visit to Legoland instead.

Would be grateful for any feedback

I haven't been to Windsor with kids but from General memory there was a fair amount of kids running around, the town centre is fairly nice for a wander and and ice cream too.
You can also do an open bus tour around windsor kids always enjoy that type of thing.

If you do go do it the day after, you'll need a calmer day to get over Legoland at easter.

Or if the weather is good I would go to Windsor Great Park is really pretty and has a nice kids park.

The Queens Dolls House is the big draw - massive, and very interesting. My DD1 is 7 too, and she loves it, although it can get very busy. There are lots of state rooms you get to go through, suits of armour etc, and a little film showing the Queen greeting heads of state etc. The grounds are quite large and there's a soldier pacing up and down outside a sentry box! You can also go in St George's Chapel where lots of royals are buried - Henry VIII, the Queen Mother etc.

We go quite often, but not sure it would take a whole day. Mind you, Windsor is a lovely town and there a very nice walks by the river.

I'd plan a second day, or maybe just the morning at Legoland, with an early start - be there for 9.30am, ready to dash for your favourite ride.

It was very busy yesterday, and by 11am the queues were horrendous for the big, popular rides - dragon coaster, laser raiders, driving school.

There's lots to do that doesn't involve queuing though.

Windsor visitor info here

Looking at the weather forecast for Windsor, looks like Friday is cloudy and Saturday is sunny. Friday therefore is a good day to do Legoland. Saturday you could do Windsor Castle plus walk around Windsor and the Great Park. The park is rather large, so lots of places for children to run about and places for a picnic.

Will you have a car to use? If so, then if you parked in Bishopsgate Road, you can then walk/buggy to Savill Gardens (cafe there is a bit pricy) and keep going past it a little way to the playground.
Walk Route on GoogleMaps - it's about a mile each way.

Windsor open spaces promotional video

In my view some of the best playareas are:
Bachelors Acre - located near town centre shopping. map

Vansittart Recreation Ground - map

Home Park - this is where the main Park&Ride is located, near Windsor & Eton Riverside railway station - also near the rear of Windsor Castle.

IMPORTANT: If travelling by car, some car parks in the Windsor area are NOT Council owned. Parking Information - I would suggest using the Home Park Park&Ride carpark, or River Street for easier access to the Castle.

Very comprehensive nannynick! I would just say that the River St car park tarrif is geared to short stays. Alexandra car park is cheaper for all-day, and a nice walk in through the park or along the river.

Ah yes, I didn't look at car park pricing. Some will certainly be better for all-day parking than others.
Cheapest all-day parking I think is at Home Park (Park&Ride), £2.80 for 4+ hours. It is on the same road as Romney Lock (£4.60 for all day) so be careful to pick the right carpark.

Alexandra Gardens carpark is nice for the walk along the river/through park. £5.70 for 5+ hours.

Most car parks are pay and display. I thought there was one or two which were take ticket, pay on leave type. ChippyMinton do you know? There is a car park below Waitrose... King Edward Court I think it's called, may be an NCP owned carpark... is that a pay-on-leave type? I think it is. Can't find prices though.

I don't know, but I should imagine that KEC is geared towards shoppers, so short-medium stay rather than all-day. Don't know if Waitrose refund part of the parking fee, if you sepnd a certain amount.