Meeting friends somewhere between derby and preston - Help please

[overthehillsandfaraway]

We'll have a toddler and 2 babies, looking for somewhere to spend a few hours together catching up. Any ideas please?

Birch services on the M62.

Manchester Airport or somewhere near there = Styal Country Park owned by National Trust. Country Park and Cafe.

Any other National Trust properties on the route?

Park sounds nice thanks LucindaC..will be towards the end of september, any indoor suggestions out there?

Styal Country Park has a nice restaurant/Cafe which would be suitable if its wet.

Tatton Park or Dunham Massey also.

There is a deer park at Dunham Massey. Just off the M56