Warwick Castle v Legoland

diddly74

Hi guys

can you advise me please.

I have 2 daughters (12 and 8), and a small purse.

We have a week left of the holidays and want to go out as a family and have the 2 places of Warwick Castle and Legoland in mind. And really can only afford 1.


What is the general concensus of which is better?

Warwick Castle will cost £69

Legoland (with groupon vouchers which need to be bought today) will cost £74.

We live in the Midlands so Warwick Castle will be closer - but will it be fun?
My youngest loves Merlin.

Legoland is 128 miles away, so over a 2hr car journey and I have a feeling with all the shops quite expensive to go to lol.

I remember being taken to Warwick castle aged 12 (25 yrs ago) and I loved it, but a lot has changed since then. We also went to Chatsworth that summer and I loved that too,

artichoke

wow - the warwick castle looks great on the website. I did not know it had Merlin themed stuff - my 2 will love it.

there is a !0.66 per person offer on at the moment:
http://www.warwick-castle.com/warwick-castle.aspx?menu_id=22&menu_option=1


I have never done Lego land or any theme park with my 2 so can't really comment. I know mine would love the Castle but they are 6 and 7. Would your 12 year old enjoy it or not?

I am sure any family day out will be special and if you save money by going to Warwick then perhaps that money can be spend on a another family treat?

art

shortchanged_2

Warwick castle is a brilliant day out for the family and I would heartily recommend it. In the summer months they often have loads of different activities and displays going on.
It's difficult for me to say what it's like for girls as I have all boys but I'm sure they would enjoy it.

As for Legoland I couldn't say as I've never been there, so can't help you on that one I'm afraid.

blue_mum

Hi, we've been to both. As a family of 6 we went last summer to Warwick castle and we all enjoyed it. My children range from 6 to 16. So to find a place they all would like is hard!
I would say it was more value for money and I noticed they had a special price on line of 10.66 per person which is good. Personally always found legoland to spaced out and lots and lots of walking and the older ones got fed up sooner.

prowla

We've been to both, and they are both good.

Legoland is more of a theme park, whereas Warwick Castle is a castle with themes.

It may be worth checking if the parks you are looking at have started charging for car parking, as I think that is a rip-off sleight of hand to putting up their fees.

susancs

We have done both a few times (as have annual Merlin passes), but personally think you would be better off doing Warwick Castle this week as opposed to Legoland. There is more to do at Legoland but the ride queues are so long we have found in the Summer holidays, that you spend a lot of your time queuing, so it not great value for money. Warwick Castle is great this time of year with the different displays such as birds of prey, Jousting, sword fighting displays. The staff are in character, wandering around so lots of photo opportunities. They had a plaque victim band who are really funny, plus loved the call to arms, when they get the crowd to march along to the river shouting "Warwick a Warwick" . Your 8 year old will like the Princess Tower bit as they get to dress up. I would take a picnic with you as food was not cheap there and there are some nice places to eat by the river or near the orangery where the peacocks roam. They do charge for the car park, think it was £5 and it does get full up we have found if you go later (had to park across the road in a public car park).

catlad

alton towers is in staffordshire sealife in brum

saterkey

Had a lovely win a while back of some Warwick Castle tickets for 4, great i thought, lovely day out. Went today, but cant believe how commercial its got.

Just to bear in mind if your wanting to go to Warwick
Tickets are generally just for the castle entrance - family worth £60 brill, included the tower, inside, falconry display and jousting.

However there were lots of extras:

£5 parking fee

Merlin Tower Exhibit extra at 3.60 each - £15 ish for family of 4 (so not worth seeing). Photo opp at the end £6 for one photo.

Dungeons - 7.60 each - didnt go

Have a go at being a knight - £5 a child

Archery - £3 for 6 arrows

Lots of small eating stands

Restaurant very expensive - small plate adult carvery 8.75, small egg and spinich on brown 3.50 etc etc.

Wooden spear - £20

and so it goes on.

We did have a good day out, even though it was raining but wouldnt go again.

xfive71

I would echo the previous poster. Been to Warwick Castle a few weeks back with a 4 year old and 9 year old. We have premium Merlin passes so things like Parking and going up the Merlin Tower is free but if we don't, I would feel it would be a rip-off.

The entry fee would get you into the grounds, of course, and there is Birds of Prey show and Jousting (watched from across the riverbank). Those two are good but would take about an hour + at the most. Other attractions such the Dungeons, Archery, Knight School and Merlin Tower will be extra on top and really not worth it. Princess Tower was free with a timed ticket but it was a 15 minutes slot.

I've asked my 9 year old which one she prefer and with no hesitation, it was Legoland. You do have to plan your day though. After entry, head directly to the back of the park. Don't use the train or the windy path on the left, by the miniland. Head past the shop and the the Pitstop cafe and leg it down that path. Go on the Dragons and Tomb Blaster first (they have really long queues later)