to think I can make a journey from leeds to London with two tiny children enjoyable?

[Namechangedforthisohyesidid]

help me beautiful mumsnetters. We are driving down the M1 on Sunday and looking for an alternative to a service station before we hit the M25. Any suggestions gratefully accepted but I need to feed a newborn and find something to entertain a toddler, AND have a nice coffee.

Anyone?

You could get off at junction 14- Milton Keynes, go to harvester or Willen lake for an hour or so. Both are close to the junction.

You do know that there is major road works on the M1 atm (a nice long 50mph section with reduced lanes that backs up easily)? No real practical suggestion but you might want to plan to stop more than once.

Bitchy do you know where!

Chocolate what's willem lake?

Yes I do actually At least as far north as the worksop junction (not sure if as far as Sheffield) and I think down to where they have already installed the variable speed limits and widened the road Nottingham ish way. I think they are increasing the variable speed limit zone and widening the road but they might just be doing something with the crash barriers. There is probably some proper up-to-date info on something like the aa route planner/highways agency website.

Sorry thought I best warn you as it is easier if you expect it when you have little people

www.theparkstrust.com/parks/willen-lake-south

The roadworks added an hour to my journey - going the other way - we ended up stopping off at Meadowhall. Not calm. But very welcome for a coffee.

The services at Nottingham (Donington) at jn 24 or 24a - have got an outside bit - there may even be a playground although don't hold me to it. We used to always stop there although now it's leicester forest east because they have papa john pizza slices #growingup

Well train would be more pleasant probably.
However the last time I did that (in the opposite direction though) 15 month old dd2 was sick every 5 minutes from Coventry to Leeds. That wasn't a particularly enjoyable journey, although the other people in the carriage and the train manager were as nice and anything about it.

I like the services at Donnington because of the outside area, great for kids to let off some steam. There isn't a play area, it's more of a natural environment but still great for playing and running around. And lots of tables and chairs outside so you can sit with your coffee whilst watching the kids.

I thought it was junction 23a but I could be wrong.

Thanks everyone!!!! Really helpful x

Here's a list of garden centres vey near the motorway,I find it handy, a good alternative and some have soft play and usually do good tea and cake

garden centres

The Donington services are at J23a but you can't get off the motorway there going south. You need to get off at j24 then follow signs to East Mids airport and it's on the 2nd roundabout. You can get back on the motorway at j23a.

Thank GOODNESS you're driving. I have nothing more helpful to add than that, but I think the good people of the East Coast line are still recovering from the last trip to London of DS, then 18 months.
Haven't attempted another long journey since. Now we drive...!

There are ever so handy 50mph sections from about j32-28, then you get to the average speed camera bit from 28-25ish, then there's junction building at 19 and speed restrictions again, and finally roadworks down to about j16. I'd allow an extra 45mins-1hr depending on if the average bit has a speed reduction on it.

From Milton Keynes it's about 45 mins down to j1 of the m1, less to the m25 depending on where in London you are heading. Willen lake is nice for a walk and has a gastro-pub type place as mentioned up-thread.

I had the most awful 5 hour car journey with ds when he was a toddler. I left after teatime with him in his pjs and travel sleeping bag.
Never again.
We get the train now.