Billund, the Home of Lego

Zagan the motorhome is parked in the motorhome parking at Ribe on the west coast of Denmark (N55.32453, E8.75781), which we can stay in for 48 hours for free despite the ‘No Camping’ signs. Finally just as we are about to leave the country we have sussed it, no camping means we can park and stay here, just not get out our tables and chairs and awnings. We’ve just arrived and will set out to explore the town later.

After a walk around the lake we were parked next to in Silkeborg, we had a bit of a lazy day knowing that we didn’t need to rush to our next destination as we wouldn’t be going in until it was about to close. We drove to Vandel and checked out the motorhome parking there. Word is that they don’t like you sleeping in their car park where we were going, or in any of the car parks nearby. The parking area in Vandel was only 6 kilometres away (N55.71309, E9.21811), as we knew we’d be driving back there in the dark, we picked out a perfect spot next to some picnic benches and a playground in the car park of a supermarket and petrol station.

Why all the planning? We were off to a place of childhood dreams – Legoland.

When I think back to my childhood we had a massive white box with a yellow lid full of Lego; I’m sure it was probably no bigger than a shoebox in reality. Right now, writing this, I can hear the plasticky clatter it made when I tipped it all onto the floor. I spent many a happy hour making things, mainly bungalows as we lived in a bungalow and, to be honest, I’m not sure we had the bits to make a two storey house. I remember the brightly coloured bricks, a few flattish bits to use as a base and the excitement of a window piece, with opening window. Our Lego ‘set’ was from the early 1970’s, it seems things have come on a long way since then.

That’s how I remember Lego, pretty much all the same shape!

After lunch we headed into Billund and parked up in a supermarket car park. Jay nipped in and bought a couple of beers before we set off for a look around the town. Lego was invented here and the buildings surrounding most of the town are Lego offices, Lego factories, a Lego Hotel, a Lego campsite and of course Legoland itself. It seems that isn’t enough, as now the centre of the town is under construction and a huge Lego house is being built – sadly it’s not built of Lego – and is due to open next year as a visitors centre.

Lego House

Playing with the Lego folks around the building site

After a look around we concluded that there wasn’t really much to Billund except Lego, but that was why we were here. We moved Zagan into a car park next to the council building (supported by Lego) and the wait began. We had word that the gates opened half an hour before the rides were due to close and you could get in for free – otherwise it would be around £40 each and while we like Lego, we don’t like it that much.

Looks like they know we’re here!

Around 5pm, just as the majority of the rides were stopping, we walked about a kilometre to the entrance (it’s 50DKK to park in the park’s car park) and asked when the gates would open. The girl at the entrance explained that as the past week has been school holidays here in Denmark, the park had a Halloween programme running and some of the rides would close at 8pm, so the gates would open at 7.30pm.

We headed back to Zagan and chilled out for a couple of hours before a very slow walk back to the entrance. On the way we nipped into the Lego hotel to get out of the rain and warm up. The reception was filled with a huge Lego dragon and greeting you at the door were Lego Star Wars figures. A shop flogged various kits so you could build everything from Big Ben and the New York Skyline to the Ghostbusters car and Dr Whos Tardis.

Loved the Lego Hotel

What a welcome in the hotel

At the entrance we joined the queue, yes we weren’t the only ones blagging free entry, altough I suspect most of the others were locals just out to see the Halloween stuff. As the gates opened we all charged like excited children (OK most of us were children, but we joined in) against the tide of exhausted families who had been there all day and now just wanted to get home. We followed the kids as they knew where they were going, and managed to get in a couple of free rides before they shut.

The park has gone all spooky

We then set off for a look around Miniland, where famous landmarks had been recreated in Lego. Sadly Miniland was being ‘atmospherically’ lit, by the street lights and windows in the scenes, so in reality we could see naff all. Squinting at the signs we were none the wiser on most of the scenes, but we did recognise a few places like Nyhavn in Copenhagen and Bryggen in Bergen. I wonder if Legoland in Windsor has more UK-based landmarks.

Loved these Lego elephants

Spotted at the end of the airport runway, sadly it won’t be going anywhere due to oversized leaves

Bergen with atmospheric lighting (and our camera is good in low light) we could hardly see anything

Amsterdam

By the time we were we thoroughly soaked from the rain and getting cold the park lights were switching off, descending us into darkness in preparation for the gates closing at 9pm.

Jay makes a new friend

Would I pay £40 to go into Legoland? No, it wasn’t worth it for me, I’d rather revisit Minatur Wonderland in Hamburg which was cheaper and much more fun for me.

Would I go again? Yes, I’d love to nip in on a free evening in the summer to see Miniland in all its glory as I think a lot of it was lost in the darkness. We could hear the gurgling of whales in the water by the wind turbines but couldn’t see them and I’m sure there was plenty of other stuff we missed. That said I am glad we went as it was great to see – especially for free.

Ju settles in for a bedtime story from Hans Christian Andersen

Ju x