The best family motorway stop offs

From long journeys to Yorkshire with a toddler who had stopped sleeping on cue in the car to family car journeys down to Devon and Cornwall, not to mention more days out than I can count, I’m always eyeing up interesting places to stop along the way.

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The best motorway stop-offs with kids nicely break the travel time in two, as well as being somewhere fun to stop, stretch our legs, have something to eat, and generally enjoy ourselves. Which usually rules out services, useful though they can be…

And as I’ve researched the best ideas of where to stop on a car journey with kids, I’ve collected up helpful suggestions of places to stop on Britain’s motorways to kickstart my plans along with my own suggestions – the start of an ongoing list to find some of the best motorway stop offs with kids.

Firstly, the Guardian has run a string of articles with ideas running along the M1, M3, M4, M5 and M6, ranging from a Grade II listed pub with a play area to a moated castle and monkey park.

And the National Trust has come up with something similar, cherry-picking ‘calm places to pause’ en route with super stop-offs across the whole of England and Wales. Even a short stop is enough for kids to tick off something from the now famous list of 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4.

With countless motorway journeys behind us over the years (soooo many motorway journeys), my National Trust membership has come in very handy: stopping at one of the many properties around the UK is a lot nicer than a prepacked sandwich a stone’s throw from a tailback – plus it feels as if you’re getting an added bit of holiday.

The best motorway stop-offs: SOUTH WEST

Heading south-west from London to Cornwall, Tyntesfield near Bristol broke our journey perfectly – a short detour off the M5 after you pass the city.

If you’re heading along the M4 towards the South West or Wales, you’ll follow the course of the Great West Way with a string of potential places to stop, including the pretty village of Lacock and Lacock Abbey, perfect for fans of Harry Potter.

And on a slightly shorter journey to Devon, Stourhead National Trust in Wiltshire was ideal to explore en route – just off the A303 if you’re avoiding the M4 and M5 route to the south west, along with Salisbury and its cathedral.

Not forgetting Stonehenge – timelessly magical, it’s also a perfect stop if you’re heading from London and the South East towards the South West (although frankly, somewhere this iconic is worth going out of your way for…)

The best motorway stop-offs: SOUTH

Travelling down the M3 from London towards the M27, it’s just a short drive to reach Mottisfont – perfect if you’re heading to Dorset. With special exhibitions (we saw one themed around Charlie & Lola), there’s usually something for families but gorgeous grounds to explore year-round.

If you prefer the idea of animal spotting, Marwell Zoo sits just off the M3, not far from Winchester, one of my favourite places to explore in Hampshire with kids.

The best motorway stop-offs: SOUTH EAST

Hever Castle is signed if you’re driving along the M25 towards the M26 and Kent – and while a short stop-off is less than this fantastic castle deserves, it’s a wonderful spot to visit.

Or Ightham Mote is another great place to stop with kids in Kent, not far from the M20 and M26, small enough to discover the highlights in a few hours. And Leeds Castle is another option just off the M20.

A little further from the motorway, Bodiam Castle in Sussex is also lovely enough to spend the whole day exploring – but it’s also well placed if you’re heading to the south coast, especially for anyone travelling from London.

The best motorway stop-offs: EAST

Sutton Hoo in Suffolk is somewhere else which deserves its own mention as a great destination with kids; we broke our journey back to London from the Suffolk coast at Wimpole Hall with its gorgeous gardens, farm and stately home. Not far from the M11 and the A1M.

Closer to London, if you’re looking to escape the M25 for a while, it’s hard to beat a break at Willows Activity Farm – as we discovered when we visited for their Santa Spectacular, you could very easily fill a day, but it’s a tempting option just five minutes from the M25 (and a lot more tempting than the services at South Mimms).

The best motorway stop-offs: NORTH EAST

Tucked between the M1 and A1M, Nostell Priory is a great option if you’re heading north, and it’s not far from the M62 either if you’re travelling east-west.

Another option just off the M62 is Eureka National Children’s Museum in Halifax, which is hard to beat with younger kids.

The best motorway stop-offs: MIDLANDS

As the M40 meets the M42, avoid the inevitable lane changing and traffic jams for a little, with a small detour to Packwood House in Warwickshire, for some very family-friendly activities.

The spectacular Warwick Castle is just off the M40 as well – another place where you’ll want more than a short break, but if you can squeeze a day trip in en route, it’s definitely worth doing.

For more ideas of days out in the UK with kids with places to stop which might be along your route, I’ve rounded up some of our favourites

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Images: Hever Castle copyright MummyTravels, motorway sign courtesy of Depositphotos

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