I know this is a bit of a dumb question, but I couldn't find it anywhere.
Would you go to a university without attending an open day?
Should I take my mum with me to my welcome day or should I go alone?
I went randomly; I did some during year twelve at 6th form, one during my a-levels and 3 during my BTEC. The unis don't change dramatically. I would suggest however going to HE fairs. I found them really useful.
Overall I wouldn't worry TOO much about uni visits; I would visit the ones you're not sure about rather than the ones you definately want to attend to. You get to see a lot during your average interview day, so if you're sure you want to apply somewhere, and the uni visit won't massively sway your decision, don't bother.
Don't forget, TSR'ers are a great source of knowledge - I expect there is at least one member for every uni, so you can ask questions about uni life to them in the respective subforums.
It honestly doesn't matter a jot. If you know what you're looking for in terms of course and amenities, you can do it during your GCSEs if you're sure.
Open days are also a good way of finding out if you'd be happy at a certain uni. I stupidly put a uni I hadn't seen as my insurance, attended the open day for all successful applicants and realised I didn't like it Lucky for me that I got into my firm choice or I may have been stuck in a department I didn't like for three years!
University Open Days - Worth going to?
When should I attend uni open days?
When do you go to university open days?
Is it better to go to the Open Day or the Applicant Day (or both)?
Uni open days - do I take my parents?