Legoland, riding holidays, cheap castle stays

Take me there: Legoland Resort Hotel, WindsorIt may look as if it's been built by a five-year-old from Lego, but that's the whole point. The 150-room Legoland Resort Hotel opens at the Windsor theme park on 16 March and features Lego theming throughout. Expect plenty of child-pleasing details, from exploding toy boxes and treasure trails to a pirate-themed pool. And for the parents? Um, well, if wipe-clean surfaces don't float your boat, you can take refuge in the "child-friendly bar" (if that's not a contradiction) and console yourself with the thought that your children will love you, if not forever, then for the weekend. From �247 per night for a room sleeping four, including breakfast and park tickets for two days (legoland.co.uk/hotel).Travel clinic: riding holidaysThe dilemma My husband and teenage boys like to hike and cycle. I am unable to do either, but I do enjoy horse riding. Is there a holiday that combines all three at the same time? JessicaIt's surprisingly difficult to find a holiday where you can combine cycling, hiking and horse riding from one base, but Stonetrail Holidays in Cumbria (stonetrailholidays.com) could offer the perfect solution. In a remote corner of the rugged Eden Valley, Alison and David Roper run horse riding, walking and biking breaks from their recently restored farmstead. There are three cosy and stylish self-catering cottages with a good selection of bridleways, footpaths and cycle trails leading straight from the doorstep. Alison runs a small horse-trekking centre and will take riders on half or full-day guided rides along the Pennine Bridleway and Eden River (a half-day costs �65). Meanwhile, your husband and sons can hire mountain bikes (from �10 per day) or set off on foot to explore the surrounding Howgill Fells using specially prepared route maps. A four-night stay in Stoneyard Cottage, which sleeps four, costs from �295 in March.Three of the best? affordable castle staysFor pomp and grandeur without the price tag, here are three royal residences in castles steeped in history that won't cost a king's ransom. You'll have to bring your own servants, however.1. St Briavel's Castle, Lydney, Gloucestershire A youth hostel in King John's former hunting lodge. Don't miss the banquet nights. From �12.40 per night (yha.org.uk).2. Hellifield Peel Castle, Skipton, Yorkshire Boutique B&B in a medieval castle ? its restoration featured on Grand Designs. Doubles from �165 (peelcastle.co.uk).3. Kinnaird Castle, Brechin, Angus The grounds of this historic castle are yours to roam if you hire the Barony Apartment. Sleeps 10. From �1,200 per week (southesk.co.uk).If you have a travel dilemma, email Joanne O'Connor at magazine@observer.co.ukLegoShort breaksHorse ridingHostelsHotelsJoanne O'Connorguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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