Driving from Gloucestershire to the Lake District this weekend

[Restrainedrabbit]

I have a three year old DS and 1 year old DD, where can I stop along the way that is cheap and easy access from the M6? Half way ish is about Stoke on Trent/Manchester.

Probably a bit too far North, but Brockholes Nature reserve is about a minute off the M6 at Preston, has a nice cafe floating on a lake, little walks and a play area, much nicer than service stations.