Nice stop close to the M1

[LunarRose]

I have I long car journey coming up (DP and me grown up weekend ) and need some recommendations of somewhere nice to stop.

Must

1. not be too far from the M1, easy to get off and on
2. I thinking somewhere North of milton keynes and south of Derby
3. culture good, e.g. castles, houses etc.
4. town good
5. not too energetic

Any tips?

Is that to just stop off for a break or to stay overnight?

Lutterworth (J20) always looked quite nice when we've gone through it, some nice pubs I think.

Just a stop, Tomom says the drive I have to do is 4 hours, but I'm not sure I believe it (prob longer). Need somewhere nice to make a stop have lunch do something nice

shameless bump!!