Recommendations needed please. Where to stop between the midlands and Gatwick

[stargaryenearlyadopter]

Looking for somewhere nice to stop for lunch and maybe a wander which is near the end of the M1/start of M25. Does anyone have any good suggestions?

Might be a bit too far up for you, but if you come off at junction 10, there’s a nice park right off the junction, Stockwood Park. It has a cafe and a little museum - lovely food and a little playground. Free entry and loads of parking

Or here- also 5 mins from junction 10
www.harpersfood.co.uk

Aldenham country park. It’s a vast parkland and rare breed farm with poultry to feed, ponies to ride, small animals to pet, and play areas. There’s a woods with harnessed tree climbing and giant bouncy monkey nets. For younger kids there’s a Winnie-the-Pooh-themed 100Aker Wood and an indoor play barn for rainy days. The Clock House kiosk sells ice-creams, drinks, and snacks. Follow the signs to the park from the motorway, it’s about a 10-minute drive from junction 5.
Dunstable Downs, Chiltern Centre Gateway and Whipsnade Estate run by the National Trust is 4 miles from junction 9. There’s a cafe and picnic benches and plenty of walks to try out, including some suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Thanks for these, I shall get googling but all sound like just what I was looking for.