Where to break a car journey with a toddler between Perth and Stirling?

[Lochroy]

Having previously had excellent suggestions for earlier in our road trip, I wonder if Mumsnet can help again! I'm looking for somewhere we can break a long car journey and let the wobbly toddler loose, ideally on some grass which isn't also a dog walking area. Preferably with a cafe and a loo would be good, but DH and I can sort ourselves out separately.

Things like garden centres, country hotels or national trust may fit the bill, but open to ideas.

Perth and Stirling aren't really that far apart?

Assuming you're just looking for somewhere around there? Perth to Stirling is only 40 minutes.

As, in, you can drive between the two in 40 minutes?

Gloagburn Farm Shop is really not far out of Perth but is in that direction and is brilliant!

You don’t?, it’s less than an hour.
Or do you mean Perth, Australia?

Assuming you mean in the general area of Stirling and Perth and your journey is longer. Both Stirling and Perth have Dobbies garden centres.

Nowhere, it's only 30 miles!

Why not make a proper stop and spend some time. Blair Drummond safari park is great for little ones and I haven’t been but there is also Briarlands farm.

Do you mean on your way further north? We stopped for fuel and refreshments at Perth just off the a9, think it was Morrison's but may have misremembered, was a retail area with restaurants too.

I do Dundee to Glasgow most weeks with a 22 month old.

We don’t stop at all. She just sleeps for most of it (or listens to Baby Shark on repeat 😣)

Sorry I wasn't clear! The journey is much much longer, but I reckon we'll be looking to stop in the Perth/Stirling area.

I have just reread this. Do you mean that, as part of a longer journey, you want to stop somewhere between Sterling and Perth? not that S and P are your start and finish locations.

x post!

Unless you’re not stopping in Stirling and Perth themselves I wouldn’t bother.

Cross post, apologies! I’d stop in Auchterarder, there’s nice wee pubs and shops on the high street to get something to eat.

How about Dunblane? It has a few nice coffee stops and a small play park close to the High street but not big enough to entertain him for more than 25 minutes or so.

You can also see Andy Murray's gold post box.

Auchterarder has nice cafes and a small park off the high street.

I second Dunblane. Lovely wee town

Gleneagles?

Or walk along the river in Dunblane, and go to one of the cafes.

Or Bridge of Allan just outside Stirling - walk along the river then chips and ice cream at the Allanwater Cafe.

Dunblane. Go for lunch or coffee at the riverside bar/restaurant. It’s doggy friendly and if you ask to sit downstairs it has a kiddies area with toys, play kitchen and other bits and bobs.

We stop at the Tiso in Perth - great cafe and we love to have a look at all the outdoor gear and tents. They have a soft play frame too. Good for an hour so good if you want a short break and means your not tied to good weather.

Dobbie’s garden centre just off the motorway at Stirling. Quick 1min off the motorway, kids play area, nice food, clean toilets and fish shop bit too. At this time of year they should have the swinging garden seats inside to “test”\ play on.

Tiso is a good call. Great carrot cake too!