The summer holidays are fast approaching and many families in a time of austerity are looking towards UK based short break holidays such as at the various theme parks around the UK of which one of the most popular is LegoLand Windsor that fits in well with a day's sight seeing tour of London. Therefore this is a review of what to expect from the National Holidays offering of a London and Legoland 2 day coach trip holiday taken during the month of July.

Our pick up point was from the Rotherham Interchange on a July Saturday at 9am, which is some 160 miles distance from our final first day destination of central London for the sight seeing part of the holiday. The journey took 4.5 hours that included a 45 minute break about 100 miles into the journey.

On arrival into London the coach dropped everyone off near Marble Arch at 1.30pm which is about 30minutes walking distance from the likes of WestMinister or Buckingham Palace and we were told to return by 5pm to near the Dorchester Hotel. So that's 3.5 hours less 1 hour getting too from the coach which meant effective sight seeing time of just 2.5 hours, not exactly what I was expecting.

If you hurry along then you will be able to grab a quick photo at 2 or 3 places such as Buckingham Palace.

Followed by a brisk walk to Westminister for another snap.

Though no time for any rides such as on the London Eye.

And then its a jog back to the coach parked near the Dorchester Hotel.

The coach ride to the distant hotel took approx 2.5 hours, so about the same amount of time available for effective sight seeing. It would be far better if National Holidays had picked up the holiday makers for the hotel later later in the evening when there is less traffic, thus giving a valuable extra couple of hours for sight seeing.

Whilst the hotel was in the middle of nowhere, however the facilities proved sufficient despite a time wasting false fire alarm, so no major disappointment here.

Overall the London part of the holiday proved to be a huge disappointment.

LEGOLAND - Sunday

Set off from the hotel at 9am and arrive at 9.45am. Given tickets to enter the park at 10am and told to return by 3pm! The actual closing time for the park today was 6pm! And as most people who frequent theme parks well understand that the best time for going on the busy rides is during the last 2 hours as by that time the coach trippers usually will have left by then.

We managed to go on 4 rides and saw 4 attractions such as the lego lands, 5 hours was just not enough time, especially as one could easily spend over an hour waiting for a single popular ride, the lost 3 hours would have made a huge difference.

Set off on time at a few minutes after 3pm and arrived back at Rotherham Interchange at 7.30pm

National Holidays London and LegoLand Rating

London	3/10	2.5 hours effective time is just not enough for sight seeing
Lego Land	5/10	left the theme park 3 hours before the closing time.
Hotel	7/10	The hotel facilities were adequate.
Overall	5/10	Expect far more time to be spent on the coach then sightseeing or in the theme park.

Conclusion

For a probably better experience at likely less cost all for some extra effort of making your own separate arrangements for travel, hotel and park entry i.e. travel by train, coach or drive down to the theme park / hotel and then use London Travel Cards to in and around London, remembering that kids travel free (under 11's).

Planning Your own London and Legoland trip

1. Book hotel, ensure has car parking space included.

2. Ensure car is in good working order?

3. Book theme park tickets

4. Buy London Travel cards for appropriate zones, cheaper for 11-15, and under 11's travel free.

By Sami Walayat

http://www.marketoracle.co.uk

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any trading losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors before engaging in any trading activities.

Comments

zahlen2k
13 Sep 15, 22:32

Nice Review

Good to see you keeping your boys grounded by taking the coach haha :)

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