http//:www.sbac.co.uk
This is the time of year (or every other year in fact) when we get people calling and emailing ABTN on ”where to go” or ”what to do” on their day off at Farnborough, or where to send their wife, girlfriend and children. Two years back we recommended Windsor and Hampton Court palaces, both of which are always worth a visit, but for 2004 can we suggest Legoland Windsor, perhaps not for adults by themselves (having said that there are plenty who would enjoy it), but certainly for those with pre-teen children. It does have an aviation theme too, of sorts. One it is stuck with and the other placed upon it. Legoland sits high above Windsor on a wonderful hilltop setting right on line with Heathrow”s main departure 27 westerly runways . If you are a covert plane-spotter it is for you. One a minute at peak times. And the park”s largest model is an 80% full size mock-up of a Boeing 747 cockpit stunningly recreated from no less than 2.2m Lego bricks.
Legoland Windsor is located 2 miles from the town centre on the B3022 Ascot Road and also easily reached and well signposted from both M3 (J3) and M4 (J6) and last year attracted 1.3m visitors. A shuttle bus runs from both Windsor stations. At the end of Farnborough week (Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 July) there is ”Roboteers Challenge” where robots and contestants go head to head inside the Circus Tent for a machine meltdown. Two times world champion ”Razor” will make a special appearance.
To cover the whole of the 150 acre 50 ride theme park would take more than a day during the busy holiday period. There are nine themed areas, too many to describe here. If you arrive early press on as quickly as you can through the most attractive rides before the hordes come onto the site. The age (and size) of your charges will establish just what to make for. For the less timid the new Adventure Land jungle coaster might be ideal. It will certainly set pulses racing and temperatures soaring as the track twists and turns along a quarter mile track at speeds up to 40 mph. Even the smallest (well at least from just under three) can partake in the Legoland driving school after a road safety lesson learning about traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, roundabouts, and the way other users of the road treat you. The tiny Lego look alike electric cars are a real challenge for the children. The reward for mastering them is a Legoland driving licence (in paper form!). If that is too much the magic roundabout has a Lego theme (like just about everything in the park).
If you have had enough of the splash on the Lego railway, kept your eye on the captain as he pilots his way through the water test, and held on for dear life on the toboggan ride, you can always sit down and watch Lego hero Johnny Thunder in his new show ”Escape from Dragon Tower”. This action packed caper features acrobatics, chases, martial arts and gutsy high dives from the top of the 40” lighthouse. Visitors can get interactive with giant water cannons, which fire jets of spray up to 20” to determine heroes and villains! If that is still too energetic to watch there is always the puppet show, Little Red Riding Hood in the Duplo Theatre. Another alternative is the Imagination Centre, the home to the Build and Test Workshops, the Building Zone and the Discovery Zone. Children can design buildings to test on earthquake tables, engineer cars to beat all contenders on the speed test ramp or build and control Lego models through computers.
Before you depart take a slow walk around Miniland. It is simply amazing. Some 35m pieces have been used to create scenes from around Europe, including London, Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Paris, all bustling with sounds, traffic, trains and boats. There are around 800 model buildings and 700 vehicles, cranes, bridges, fountains and of course people inhabiting the enthralling set. It took 100 Lego master modellers three years to complete. The London Eye is 9 ft tall and just like the real one rotates five times per hour. Also don”t miss the Legoland Hall of fame. Thousands of Lego bricks have been used to create ”busts” of faces that amaze everyone. Queen Elizabeth enjoyed it immensely, Prince Phillip, clearly had a great time, pointing out some minor imperfection with the wonderful Buckingham Palace model. It seems that the milk float was delivering to the wrong door.
Legoland costs ”23 per person per day and ”20 for children (you can save by booking on-line). Parking is free and unless it is really crowded don”t bother with the special paid for executive car park as it is no quicker. There is a fine selection of restaurants and cafes (at theme park prices) but you can also bring your own picnic and plenty of eating space is provided. Remember to help keep the site spotless. The web site is pretty comprehensive and tells all that you want to know. http://www.legoland.co.uk
If Legoland is not for you, and your hotel is in central London, as an alternative day (or half day) out can we recommended the IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM in Lambeth on the south side of the Thames. It is one of the great museums and is currently offering amongst a plethora of exhibits ”D-Day” a special display marking the sixtieth anniversary of the biggest and most complex combined operation in history. The story of the day itself is told through the personal stories of those who took part, including commanders who planned the invasion, soldiers who landed on the beaches, a German defender, a British nurse who looked after the casualties and a secret agent working behind the lines. Now also showing is a ”Monty” exhibition and an excellent British view of the Holocaust. Of course there are lots of aircraft, tanks, miniature submarines and rockets. It is really an excellent museum. It is free and within easy walking distance of the Tate Modern, something different which the other half might appreciate.
http://london.iwm.org.uk