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Legoland Windsor History | From Safari Park to LEGO Resort

Long before roller coasters, LEGO models, and Miniland, this site was a country estate and later one of Britain's best-known safari parks. Legoland Windsor history is a remarkable story of transformation, tracing its journey from a wildlife attraction to one of the UK's favourite family theme parks.

Legoland Windsor Resort timeline

  • Windsor Great Park estate is developed (1938): The site becomes part of the Crown Estate, featuring landscaped gardens that would later shape the future theme park.
  • Windsor Safari Park opens (1969): The estate is transformed into a drive-through safari park featuring lions, elephants, bears, dolphins, and other wildlife attractions.
  • Safari Park closes (1992): Declining visitor numbers lead to the permanent closure of Windsor Safari Park after more than two decades.
  • The LEGO Group acquires the site (1994): Following the park's closure, the LEGO Group purchases the land to create its second Legoland park after the success of the original in Denmark.
  • Legoland Windsor Resort opens (17 March 1996): Legoland Windsor officially welcomes its first visitors with themed lands, interactive rides, and thousands of LEGO models.
  • Merlin Entertainments takes ownership (2005): Merlin Entertainments acquires the park, beginning years of expansion through new rides, attractions, and themed experiences.
  • The Legoland Hotel opens (2012): The resort becomes a multi-day destination with the opening of its first fully themed on-site hotel.
  • Legoland Castle Hotel opens (2017): A second themed hotel expands the resort's accommodation with knight, wizard, and princess-inspired rooms.
  • Woodland Village opens (2004): The newest accommodation area introduces woodland lodges and glamping-style barrels, offering a different style of family stay within the resort.

Legoland Windsor Resort history explained

Before Legoland (1938–1969)

The land occupied by today's resort originally formed part of the historic Windsor Estate. Its landscaped grounds and mature woodland provided an attractive setting that would later influence the layout of both Windsor Safari Park and, eventually, Legoland Windsor Resort.

The Windsor Safari Park years (1969–1992)

For more than 20 years, the site operated as Windsor Safari Park, one of Britain's best-known wildlife attractions. Visitors drove through large animal enclosures to see lions, elephants, tigers, bears, and other species before exploring additional rides and family attractions. As visitor numbers declined in the early 1990s, the safari park closed.

A new vision for the site (1994–1996)

After the success of the original Legoland Billund in Denmark, the LEGO Group purchased the former safari park with plans to create its first full-scale Legoland park outside Scandinavia. Existing roads and landscaped gardens were carefully adapted while entirely new rides, attractions, and miniature LEGO displays were built across the site.

Becoming one of the UK's favourite family parks (1996–2005)

Legoland Windsor Resort quickly established itself as one of Britain's leading family attractions. Popular areas such as Miniland, LEGO City, and Pirate Shores helped distinguish the park from traditional amusement parks by combining interactive rides with creativity and imaginative play.

Continued expansion under Merlin Entertainments (2005–present)

Since joining Merlin Entertainments, the resort has continued to grow with new themed lands, hotels, seasonal events, and family attractions. The addition of the Castle Hotel and Woodland Village transformed the park into a multi-day destination, while regular investment has kept rides and experiences fresh for returning visitors.

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LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Tickets with Transfers from London

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Combo (Save 5%): LEGOLAND® Windsor and Thorpe Park Entry Tickets

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Combo: LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort + Windsor Castle Tickets

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Combo (Save 10%): LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort + London Eye Admission Tickets

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Combo (Save 10%): LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort + Madame Tussauds London Tickets

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How Legoland Windsor Resort was built

  • A complete transformation: After acquiring the former Windsor Safari Park in 1994, the LEGO Group completely redesigned the site instead of adapting existing attractions.
  • Built around the landscape: Designers preserved mature trees, natural hills, and existing terrain, creating a park that blends themed attractions with the surrounding landscape.
  • Miniland takes centre stage: Millions of LEGO bricks were used to build detailed miniature landmarks, making Miniland one of the resort's most iconic and enduring attractions.
  • Purpose-built family attractions: New rides, restaurants, playgrounds, performance spaces, and interactive experiences were carefully planned to encourage creativity, imagination, and family participation throughout the resort.
  • Growing with every generation: Since opening in 1996, the resort has expanded with new themed lands, accommodation, and attractions inspired by evolving LEGO stories and characters.

Legoland Windsor Resort today

Nearly three decades after opening, Legoland Windsor Resort has grown into one of the UK's leading family theme parks, welcoming millions of visitors each year. Designed primarily for families with children aged 2 to 12, the resort now features more than 55 rides and attractions, live entertainment, seasonal events, themed accommodation, and countless LEGO models built from millions of bricks.

Beyond the theme park itself, visitors can stay overnight at the Legoland Resort Hotel, Legoland Castle Hotel, or Woodland Village, turning a day trip into a short family break. Regular additions, including new rides and accommodation, continue to keep the resort fresh for first-time and returning guests alike.

Frequently asked questions about Legoland Windsor history

Legoland Windsor Resort officially opened to visitors on 17 March 1996. It was the second Legoland park to open worldwide after the original park in Billund, Denmark.