Legoland, chessington or something else. Anyone local to windsor who can help

[CottonSock]

My original holiday plans to Norfolk changed last minute as owner of cottage cancelled due to shielding. Unfortunately the company didnt think to tell me. Luckily i had a couple of weeks to sort something after me having to keep chasing them to try and pay balance.
So now we are staying somewhere totally different, near windsor.
We will book a few national trust places, cliveden for example.
I was thinking of legoland or chessington, but i hear such mixed things about both. Are there better options? Ive seen a little place called hobbledown near Epsom for example.
There is chocolate making in windsor that looks fun, but not sure my youngest would manage a face mask.
Not sure I'll bother going into castle, perhaps view from park.
Kids are 4 and 7.
Any local tips much appreciated. Like are any playgrounds open, how busy are car parks, toilets. Is a boat trip good with young children?
Thank you

For a 4 and 7 year old, I’d recommend all of Chessington, Legoland and Hobbledown, though all are expensive so definitely use vouchers for the first two. Odds Farm Park is close to Windsor and a good typical farm park so maybe that instead of Hobbledown. Beconscot Model Village also recommended.

Thanks. That's an other one for the list. Hard to choose between them.. I'm not used to having to book everything so precisely before we go. Maybe I'll decide on one bigger attraction and one farm..I have some tesco vouchers. Looks like I can use for either.

Legoland and Chessington are both good for that age. There is even a possibility they may be less crowded than usual in July?

There's plenty so see walking around Windsor, Eton and the Great Park if you're not visiting the castle. Virginia Water and Savill Gardens also worth a visit.

I recommend a Thames boat trip - we did one with the French Brothers and it was both fascinating and relaxing. Even if you know the area well, it looks completely different by boat.

Cliveden is great, there's so much to see. I also like Greys Court.

Odds Farm is good, as is Beconscot Village.

You may like to go for a walk in Burnham Beeches or along the Jubilee River. Marlow is interesting to visit. Dinton Pastures Country Park is lovely and a great playground.

There is loads to see and do around Windsor! Have a great time!

Personally I always found boat trips with that aged children not great as my two got bored if it was any longer than about 20 mins (min Windsor boat trip is 40 mins) but you will know your children.

You don’t say when you are going but keep an eye on whether Hampton Court opens up its Maze and Magic Garden before then as that would be great at that age (quite a lot of hands on stuff for them inside as well if you did go but at that age not enough in itself).

Agree re Cliveden and Burnham Beeches. Osterley Park another NT possibility? Runnymede has lots of space for running round and nice views but nothing else at moment.

I am also planning our UK holiday at moment. My family always laugh at how much research I do in advance as I end up with a long document with lots of details but I too am finding it stressful having to work out in advance what we will do each day!

Legoland always seems the worst for crowds and queues. I’d go to Chessington as there’s the zoo and sea life centre too, so it’s not just queuing for rides all day. We love the Gruffalo River ride.

@Ricekrispie22 thanks I did book chessington in the end. Hopefully its quiter than normal. We are not interested in the thrill rides in amy case. Those seem to attract biggest queues.
Thanks for all the other suggestions. I'm really happy with my choice of Windsor now. So much to do and a much easier journey than norfolk.
I think i can make my national trust bookings the Friday a week before.