Is It Worth Flying To Denmark To Visit LEGO House?

There is not too much going on in the Danish town of Billund if you aren’t fanatical about LEGO. More than 60 percent of the population of 6,600 people is employed by the toy manufacturer and many of the rest by the tourism sector that caters to those lured by the promise of a brick-themed escape. It’s a tiny place, and aside from LEGO House (the purpose of our visit) and LEGOLAND (which we also checked out, because, in for a penny) there’s a limited amount to see and do. So, is it worth a visit? Rebecca Cox and her nine-year-old son Jack went to find out. (Scroll to the bottom for Jack’s review.)

LEGO House, Billund: Review

Let’s get the disappointment out the way first and then draw a line under it. The LEGO House is, despite appearances, not actually made of LEGO. I know: devastating. However, it is constructed from 21 ‘blocks’ that resemble LEGO bricks, the top-most of which is 23 metres high. We’ll come to what’s inside shortly, but on the outside and free for all to enjoy is a multi-level platform play area, completely LEGO-themed and the best vantage point to see across the town from (though views of LEGOLAND and the LEGO offices beyond aren’t exactly breathtaking). It’s a great place to spend an hour or so on a dry day, especially early before the crowds arrive, or once they’re all inside and you have the outside spaces to yourselves. 

Inside, the lack of LEGO infrastructure is quickly forgiven, as you’ll find three floors of the most impressive LEGO sculptures imaginable. A giant tree, ‘The Tree of Creativity’ is at the centre of the lobby level and stretches up through a winding staircase leading to the top floor. At 15.68 metres high it is one of the biggest LEGO models in the world, and has been built from 6.3million bricks. Each branch contains a mini world, painstakingly created over what must have been hours and weeks of LEGO employees’ time. More masterpieces await on this top floor, where the first interactive element can be found: a photobooth that transforms your selfie into a LEGO portrait that flashes up for a temporary spot on the gallery walls. This is one of many interactive features that can be found on the journey through the themed galleries, from making a monster to be part of a digital dance-off, to creating a vehicle to race against your fellow mini builders. 

© LEGO® House

I should state at this point that I am not, in fact, fanatical about LEGO, but a mere chaperone to my nine-year-old son, who is a much keener builder than I. (You’ll hear from him later.) And so, while Jack enjoyed all of the activities on offer, it took something extra engaging to pique my interest. This can be found at the stop-go animation studio, where you can direct and create your own LEGO movie, which can be downloaded for home viewing (and entry into the various film festivals, depending on your ambition). This station required a little extra input from the LEGO staffers, whose patience and enthusiasm for assisting mini builders was unwavering across the board. Of course, you can exit through the gift shop, where there are special edition LEGO kits and the option to design and build your own unique LEGO figure. 

EAT

There are two dining locations inside LEGO House, including the Mini Chef restaurant where diners must build their order out of LEGO before submitting it and waiting for it to be cooked and delivered to the table by robots: a pretty cool gimmick. Alas, during our school holidays visit this was completely booked up (a similar story for the famous LEGO driving licence experience at LEGOLAND, yet another reminder that being a stickler for organisation has its upsides) so we made do with the simpler grab-and-go Brickachino Cafe, serving up a nice variety of light meals and hot and cold drinks, which were tasty and no more expensive than anything else in Denmark (slightly pricier than London).

What About Billund?

As previously mentioned, if you’re not into LEGO and you find yourself in Billund, you’re probably lost. As well as the brand headquarters, there is also an outpost of the LEGOLAND theme park, which Jack and I thoroughly enjoyed, despite the drizzle. Here, the LEGO sculptures were just as impressive, and the rides were fun and varied. I hear the park is smaller than the Windsor version, but visiting anything on the first day of half term is a madness I’ll never descend to within the UK, and in Billund we made it onto all the rides (drivers licence aside) at least once with a maximum of 10 minutes of queuing time. Around the town there are limited options for dining, a couple of gastropubs and a cute bakery (Billund Bageri) plus a pizza restaurant or two, though none we tried were worth writing home, or here, about. Our charming little hotel though, Refborg Hotel Billund, served up a simple buffet breakfast that was absolute perfection. While small, the town is clean and friendly and like the rest of Denmark, adapted to be environmentally considered. The town is the first in Denmark to be recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City and there are plenty of interactive features making it appealing for young ones, including slides to replace steps on a two-level shopping centre, mini mazes and attractions and museums catered toward kids in addition to the LEGO destinations, including WOW Park and a large indoor water park. 

So, Is It Worth It?

Much more engaging and rewarding for young ones than a day at a theme park or one of the usual museum suspects, LEGO House offers something truly innovative and fun for fans of the classic brick brand. It might not be Denmark’s most appealing destination for adults, but it’s a really special place when seen through the eyes of young ones. 

In fact…

A Review of LEGO House by Jack, 9

I like LEGO House because there are a lot of fun games and activities to do. You have a band on your wrist and you can scan the code to play games and do challenges. The best statue is the huge tree that goes right up to the top of the building. 

Making your own movie out of LEGO is definitely the best bit. I made one about Halloween where there were two people and two skeletons. One of the skeletons hides in a coffin. My mum did a bit.

Jack on the roof at LEGO House

The only bad bit of the day was that my wristband fell off (it was partly mum’s fault). Also, there was a bit of barging from other kids (and dads) at the car racing because we all wanted a turn.

I think my cousin Zach would love LEGO House the most, but any people who enjoy building LEGO should go too. 

What About LEGOLAND, And The Rest Of Billund?

LEGOLAND was an absolutely amazing time and I got the confidence to go on all the scariest rides including going upside down (which my mum hated). Luckily the best ride was our first ride so we went on it two times and also there was a shooting game called Temple that was good.

Billund is quite a quiet place (but not LEGOLAND and LEGO House) plus there was a supermarket right next to our hotel with jelly sweets and peanut puffs. If anyone wants to go, have fun and go on the things you want to and don’t do anything that you’re too scared of.

Definitely try the giant hot dogs at the airport, too. I ate two. 

BOOK

Find out more about visiting LEGO House at legohouse.com