Legoland created a pirate’s life for me!

Cannons boomed and cutlasses clashed as Captain Birdsnest and the friendly pirates of Skeleton Bay defended the golden key to the treasure chest.

For a moment their efforts seem doomed. The dastardly Red Pirate and his evil henchman Mad Jack swiped the quarry from under the skipper’s nose before making a death-defying dash across a rope bridge to the top of the lighthouse.

Our own pint-sized pirates (aged seven and eight) along with scores of other little ‘hearties’ sporting eye patches, hooks and bandanas held their breath as the baddies were sent toppling in a series of spectacular backflips and somersaults into the lake below.

But as they hauled themselves onto terra firma, and the key was returned to the good Captain, the kiddies erupted with a riotous and deafening cheer.

Legoland Windsor’s pirate stunt show is a highlight of any trip to the park and rarely fails to enthrall.

We know as this was our third visit. And more thrills followed when the little ones were given a chance to meet the stars of the performance.

My pal and I were treating our children to the full pirate experience with a stay at the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel, located in the heart of the park.

Each floor, and every room on it, has either Pirate, Kingdom, or Adventurer-themed rooms which promise to plunge young guests into a fun-filled fantasy land.

Ours did not disappoint. On entry, swashbuckling kids are greeted with a letter, hailing them as ‘brave pirates’ and challenging them to uncover clues hidden around the room which will lead to a treasure chest containing a special Lego toy.

It was ‘yo, ho, ho’ from there on in. Cue Pirate Shores, a wet and wonderful land just steps from the hotel gate and revamped for the 2014 season.

Plunging nose-first in a dugout canoe, we braved Pirate Falls before letting our soaked little ones loose to pan for gold and run amok in the new Castaway Camp adventure play area.

There they clambered on the upturned hulls of ships and scaled ropes before heading off for more seafaring adventures in the sunken city of Atlantis.

With little noses pressed hard to the portholes of the yellow submarine, our youngsters ooh-ed and ahh-ed at the 50 species of rare sharks, rays and tropical fish held in the million litre ocean tank.

But they were just as excited to spy a mermaid created entirely from Lego on the ‘ocean’ floor and a statue of Neptune.

There are more wet n’ wild adventures in the land of the Vikings. Our raft bumped and spun its way around the tortuous Viking Splash while onlookers fired water cannons at us.

Their aim was spot-on, sparking howls of laughter from the kids. (Note to mums leave your mascara at home!)

But a favourite for our wee ones was the new Duplo Valley splash and play park, Britain’s largest outdoor water play structure (where swimming costumes or wetsuits and towels are essential).

Younger kiddies are enchanted by its Splash Safari with supersized Duplo animals, while bigger kids love the thrilling water chutes and mighty, water-filled tipping Lego brick of Drench Towers. But there are countless dry and equally funfilled rides and activities too.

Our little ones learned to drive their own cars in the mini Fiat driving school and to put out fires at the Brickville Fire Station.

There are more than 55 interactive rides, live shows, building workshops and Lego models to keep kids entertained.

The 150-acre playground comprises a dozen magical lands or activity areas for kids aged three to 12. The Knights Kingdom, with its exciting dragon rides, enchanted forest and fairytale castle is every little prince and princesses’ dream.

There is something for everyone from the Kingdom of the Pharaos to the Star Wars experience.

We first visited the hotel in 2012 and revelled in the wonderfully colourful and imaginative facilities.

While we found the rooms and Bricks restaurant on our latest stay to be as good as ever, we were saddened to see a decline in the bar area. Seats were badly stained, glasses and cups were left on tables for hours on end.

A spokeswoman for the Legoland Hotel said it was closing for refurbishments over the winter when furniture would be replaced. Staffing issues would also be addressed for next year. Our children, however, failed to notice a blip in standards. A three-night stay for one adult and one child at the Legoland’s Windsor Resort Hotel including breakfast park entry cost Sally a total of £674. For more information call 0845 3732640 or visit legoland.co.uk.

Santa and his elves will be at the amusement park on Saturdays and Sundays from November 22 and every day from December 13 until Christmas Eve. Online pre-book only at legoland.co.uk/en/Book.