Where to stop for lunch off M5?

[SingleHandSue]

We (Me, DH and 2 adult DC) are travelling from Shropshire to Somerset in June. We’d like to stop off somewhere on the way down for some lunch and to kill a bit of time.

We don’t want to travel too far off the motorway but would like somewhere nice where we can eat and maybe have a little walk or mooch around. Somewhere pretty/with a view would be a bonus.

I thought maybe Portishead or Clevedon but if the weathers nice anywhere close to the sea might be pretty busy in a Sunday pm.

Any ideas? TIA

You could go here M5, Brookthorpe, Gloucester GL4 0DN
It’s my favourite motorway services! They serve lovely local food. And I think you could probably have a wander and stretch your legs there too

How about Tyntesfield NationalTrust house, off junction 19? About 15 minutes I think from the motorway

Gloucester services are a destination in themselves!

Gloucester!!!

Wells is 20 miles from junction 22

there is a cathedral with the oldest clock, worth seeing the clock at 11am or 12 noon as its ornate and moves

The only sensible place to stop is Gloucester Services....not what you would expect, more Farm Shop than 'services'

Yes, I made DH take an hour detour to stop there on our journey to Wales last summer.

Absolutely lovely

Another vote for Gloucester Services.

Shropshire to Somerset isn't that far that you need a longer break.

@321zyx

The only sensible place to stop is Gloucester Services....not what you would expect, more Farm Shop than 'services'

Doesnt meet the criteria Whilst it is a good service station (with excellent PR) it is swimming in a very low level pool. There are much better farm shops. There are much better restaurants (and cheaper) . It certainly isn't a destination- time to go round less than 5 minutes.

(the gravy is rubbish and let the food down )

but would like somewhere nice where we can eat and maybe have a little walk or mooch around. Somewhere pretty/with a view would be a bonus

If you want a view then maybe Brean Down:

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brean-down

@MySecretHistory .......ouch.......it's not that far from Shropshire to Somerset that the unique Gloucester Services (apart from Tebay) wouldn't suffice....just saying....

Gloucester services... just make sure to remortgage before you go, you'll need the cash.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

We’ve actually stopped at Gloucester services before so didn’t really think about there this time.

It’s not about breaking up the journey because it’s a long way, it’s because we can’t get in to our accommodation until 4pm so thought we could stop somewhere interesting on the journey down for lunch.

Other suggestions for what turns out to be 4 x adults (apologies, didn't read original post properly) = perhaps just leave home later.....or go to Dyrham Park, Bath, Bristol, Tyntesfield etc, etc, etc........

Webb’s garden centre, likely too far North for you, but you can waste a couple of hours there - there are riverside gardens to mooch around too

Worcester woods (but only slightly further south)- lovely cafe though

Tyntesfield NT is lovely, I agree

Thonrnbury is quite nice and not too far from the M5
All that said, we’ve done Clevedon/Portishead on a Sunday afternoon and we’ve always managed to park somewhere

Sanders Garden World just off j22, or the nearby Ollie's Cafe or Brent House Carvery. There are a few nice pubs in the area too, or you could venture further to Cheddar Gorge or Axbridge for a walk and food.

Wells is a good shout. Perfect for lunch and a short mooch about.

Tyntesfield, also have a look at other National trust properties along the way.
I bought a book about interesting things you can see from the M5. A bit anoraks but we travel the route frequently to visit family and live close to the M5.
Worcester city centre is only a couple of miles from junction 7 and full of independent cafes.
Pershore is not far off the motorway or Tewksbury. Both pretty little towns.
Alternatively pack a picnic, turn off just after Cheltenham and go up Birdlip hill, turn right at the top and there is a fantastic picnic area with amazing views across to Wales.

Tortworth Court. Just off Junction 14 of the M5. Beautiful hotel set in an arboretum.