We took our LEGO-obsessed Cyrus to Legoland Windsor, and here’s what we really thought

I have Half-Asleep Chris to thank for our weekend in Windsor. Until Cyrus discovered his LEGO videos on YouTube, Legoland was somewhere I vaguely imagined we might visit one day. Cyrus had other ideas. He had watched enough LEGO constructions to develop a detailed understanding of what the park had to offer, and he was determined to see it for himself.

I wasn’t opposed to the idea, a weekend away sounded appealing if it involved a comfortable hotel and something interesting for the adults. Besides, there are worse childhood obsessions than building things. At least LEGO encourages patience, even if the pieces have a habit of turning up beneath bare feet.

We decided to find out, combining a day at Legoland Windsor with a stay beside the Thames and a visit to one of Britain’s most famous royal residences.

We booked into the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel, a lovely riverside property within walking distance of Windsor Castle. The location meant we could enjoy Windsor itself rather than spend the entire weekend travelling between the hotel and Legoland.

Cyrus was fascinated by the castle, although he seemed convinced it was made from LEGO bricks. I suppose when you spend enough time watching people construct enormous buildings from plastic pieces, a medieval fortress doesn’t seem ambitious. We wandered through Windsor, admired the Thames and enjoyed the prospect of a proper hotel breakfast before our visit to the park. It was a nice way to begin the weekend, especially knowing the following day would be less leisurely.

Arriving at Legoland Windsor, we were greeted by enormous LEGO creations, bright colours and children heading enthusiastically towards their favourite attractions.

Our first stop was Miniland, which turned out to be one of the most impressive parts of the entire visit. Famous landmarks, including Big Ben, the London Eye and the Statue of Liberty, have been recreated in extraordinary detail. There are tiny vehicles, intricate buildings and moving features that make the displays feel like functioning miniature cities.

Cyrus was in his element, examining the constructions and pointing out details I might otherwise have missed. I was equally absorbed, although my appreciation came with a growing suspicion that I would never again be able to complain about the complexity of one of his LEGO instruction booklets.

What impressed me most was the craftsmanship. Each building represents hours of careful work, and the finished displays offer children a wonderful introduction to architecture and engineering without making the experience feel remotely educational.

Having inspected enough miniature buildings to satisfy even the keenest town planner, we moved on to the rides. The Dragon rollercoaster was a real highlight, combining a medieval setting with enough twists and turns to make the experience exciting without being overwhelming.

LEGO NINJAGO The Ride offered something entirely different. Instead of sitting back and enjoying the scenery, we found ourselves waving our arms at animated villains, attempting to master ninja moves with varying degrees of success. Cyrus took the challenge seriously. I suspect my technique left something to be desired. Then came LEGO City Driving School, where children can drive miniature cars around a purpose-built road network.

Watching Cyrus navigate the roads was entertaining, although I couldn’t help thinking ahead to the day he would be old enough for proper driving lessons. Judging by his enthusiasm, I may need to start saving now. We also enjoyed Coastguard HQ and LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure, which added some welcome variety to a day dominated by rollercoasters and interactive attractions.

We managed around ten attractions during our visit, although that took some planning. The Legoland app proved useful for checking waiting times and deciding where to head next. With such a large park, it makes sense to have a rough idea of which rides matter most to your children before arriving.

Our longest wait was for Flight of the Sky Lion, at just under an hour. Some queue areas offered LEGO-themed entertainment, which helped occupy younger visitors, although a few snacks and a little patience were equally useful. We found the food varied and enjoyable, but prices were high and service could be slow during busy periods. Taking a picnic would be a sensible option for families hoping to keep costs down.

Comfortable shoes are also essential. There is a surprising amount of walking involved, particularly when your child spots something interesting on the opposite side of the park.

Towards the end of our visit, we experienced Haunted House Monster Party, an unusual attraction that plays tricks with your sense of movement and balance.

Our final ride was Flight of the Sky Lion, a flying theatre experience that uses a large screen and motion effects to create the sensation of soaring through a fantasy landscape. It was an impressive way to finish, although whether the experience justified almost an hour in the queue will depend on your family’s tolerance for waiting.

By the time we left, we had enjoyed a full day and covered far more of the park than I initially expected.

The following morning, we visited Windsor Castle. Having spent the previous day admiring miniature landmarks and imaginary kingdoms, Cyrus was now exploring a building with centuries of genuine history behind it.

We watched the Changing of the Guard, explored the historic surroundings and paid our respects to Queen Elizabeth II. For me, this was what made the weekend memorable. Legoland had given Cyrus the excitement he wanted, while Windsor offered something we could enjoy together at a slower pace.

There was something rather amusing about moving from a theme park filled with plastic castles to one that had housed actual monarchs. Cyrus appeared equally interested in both, although I suspect the dragons had a slight advantage.

Legoland Windsor is an excellent family attraction, particularly for primary-school-aged children who already enjoy LEGO. There is enough variety to fill a day, from gentle activities and intricate displays to more adventurous rides.

The main drawbacks are the cost of food and the time spent waiting for popular attractions. Arriving early, checking the app and prioritising a few favourites can make a considerable difference. Staying in Windsor also gave us the opportunity to turn a theme-park visit into a proper family weekend. The Sir Christopher Wren Hotel provided a comfortable base, while Windsor Castle was well worth adding to our plans.

As we headed home, Cyrus was already talking about his next LEGO creation. Whether it would be a dragon, a castle or something inspired by Miniland remained to be seen. I was relieved that, unlike the real Windsor Castle, whatever he built would fit inside our house.

Did the rides live up to their expectations, or did you find yourselves spending more time in the queues than on the attractions?

Occasional stories, experiments, discoveries and questions from Saffron & Cyrus.