Let’s get straight to the point: LEGOLAND Windsor is expensive. Really expensive. Not only are adult and child ticket prices very high, but even items such as a cup of tea are priced higher than those at nearby sister park Thorpe Park. Once you factor in the expense of tickets, food, a stack of LEGO toys and (for some) accommodation, the cost of a family visit can skyrocket.

Fortunately, you should almost never have to pay full price to enter the park, and there are a variety of other ways to save money by planning ahead. Here are some essential tips to help you hold on to your cash:

Take advantage of special offers and discounts

LEGOLAND Windsor frequently offers “2-for-1” deals in conjunction with newspapers, stores and websites. Tesco shoppers can also use Clubcard Vouchers to save up to 75% on the price of tickets.

Pick up an Annual Pass

If you’re a regular visitor to LEGOLAND Windsor, buying an Annual Pass could save you money in the long-run. As a rough rule of thumb, you’ll need to visit at least 3 times per year for the pass to cost in (with free parking and discounts on food factored into this calculation).

If you’re a real theme park junkie and likely to visit Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and/or the London Dungeon, take a close look at the Merlin Annual Pass. Again, though, if you take into account the number of 2-for-1 offers available, you’ll have to make 7-8 park visits to justify the cost of a Premium Pass. There are discounts on renewals, though, so the economics improve after you’ve held the pass for a year.

Take your own drinks and snacks

Food and drink can be quite expensive at LEGOLAND Windsor, although there are some reasonable deals (at the City Walk Pizza Pasta, for example, though even this is more expensive than its equivalent at Chessington). Bringing a selection of drinks and snacks (or even a packed lunch) is advisable, and all of the park's major attractions offer racks or lockers where bags can be stashed if you can’t take them on with you.

Weigh up the benefits of short break deals

If you want to stay near LEGOLAND Windsor, there are some good deals available on short breaks. This includes stays at the LEGOLAND Windsor Hotel, although this is pricier than many of the surrounding hotels. You can normally get 2 days for the price of 1, allowing you to spend longer exploring the park’s many attractions.