Cairnryan to Alnwick with children

[Serenitespring]

We’re traveling from the ferry at Cairnryan to stay in Alnwick Northumberland on Saturday 26 May, this Saturday coming.
I’ll be driving with kids 10/8 years.
I’m hoping for any advice as to where to stop to break up the journey, see thing/play areas/where to eat.
Google maps gives two routes, one up by Glasgow and over by Berwick and down, 4.5 hours
The other straight across Dumfries, Carlisle, Hexham 3.5 hours.
I’ve never been to any of these places.
I’ll need to break up the journey, so don’t mind stopping off, make the journey part of the holiday.
Any and all ideas welcome as to where we might stop to eat and play/visit sites.
Is there a website that helps you to plan journeys with restaurants/ kids day out ideas?

Have you got national trust membership? There are loads of places in Northumberland.

Hexham is lovely. No specific advice sorry but what a great trip.

There's loads of places to stop if you do the shorter route. Cocoa bean chocolate factory has soft play and a big outdoor play bit. That's on the a75 near Kirkcudbright. Hetland Hall garden centre and Dino Park, just past dumfries,again on the a75. You can stop at Gretna Green. Then once you're in Cumbria you have Talkin Tarn just outside Carlisle. Then Hexham and Haltwhistle. Haltwhistle has a big open air swimming pool. There's so much to do on the way and it's practically one straight road all the way.

Thanks so much. It’s a bit overwhelming tbh but big girl pants!!!
No national trust membership.
I know the way this trip is going to be a success snd not a nightmare is to be really organised and know exactly where my next stop is.
when traveling trough areas though it’s tricky to look up restaurants/things to do.
I will look at all that has been suggested so far.

Doesn't help with your journey but lilidorei at anwick gardens will have just opened and looks amazing if you have time during your stay.

Dumfries is about an hour and a half from Cairnryan. Google says less but it usually takes a while to get off the ferry.

Dalscone is on the ring road round Dumfries - possibly a bit young for the DCs but handy.
Its an outdoor play area with trampolines etc.

https://www.dumfriesaviationmuseum.com/the-collection/
There is a not very sophisticated aviation museum at Heathall which is about a mile or so from Dalscone Park. I can’t see opening times you might have to phone to check. But might suit your DCs ages.
There’s a not very great shopping outlet centre at Gretna but it would give you the chance to wander around.

I don’t know much about north England but there must be some roman remains on Hadrians Wall you could visit.
This is quite a long journey on A roads - hardly any motorway.

I’m not sure what food is at Dalscone - there will be something. Her land Hall has a cafe.

I’ve booked this!!! It looks brilliant.
I’ve a Harry Potter obsessed child - is Alnwick worth the entry price, seen you can’t book the broomstick thingy, whatever that is.

The a74 is easier but can be slow with lorries etc.
Gretna has an outlet shopping thing which if you just want somewhere with a big car park and toilets can be handy.
There's the garden centre at Houghton Hall near Carlisle if you want a little cafe/ leg stretch.

Do you need to actively kill time of just get rest stops? And what time of day will you be starting?

Four hours isn't too bad. Personally I'd break for a bite to eat around the two hour mark but would want to try and get the majority of the route out of the way as it's never that relaxing knowing you have hours still to drive

Great suggestions already.

I wouldn’t go via Glasgow - Dumfries and Galloway is nice to drive through.

My kids like Cream o Galloway for a treat https://www.creamogalloway.co.uk/.
The planetarium at Kirkcudbright is good for a wet day too.

Thanks everyone
Plan so far is to drive off boat and head to Dalcombe Farm in Dumfries.

Run mad, play and eat. Then throw all back in car and head across to Alnwick.
Ideally need one more stop off around Hexham or that area.

All other ideas I’ll keep for the next time, especially that cream of Galloway ice cream!!
And a plan what to eat / do that evening in Alnwick, nothing fancy.
Fish and chips would work

I wouldn't bother with cream o galloway. It's used to be brilliant but they took all the play equipment out and its just the farm and ice cream shop now. Dalscone Farm is good though.

Alnwick castle is amazing especially if you have potter fans. You can't pre book the broomstick lessons but it's on through the day and you can get your time slot then go off and do other things. Definitely worthwhile we spent a whole day there when staying at Berwick and was worth the drive

That’s disappointing, we had a great afternoon playing, eating and making our own ice cream.

Alnwick castle is amazing - echoing. And lovely water features, tea, usually craft activities and the new adventure thing (that you need to book separately).

I'd probably make Hexham your next stop unless you're particularly interested in stopping to see some of the remains of Hadrian's wall. As you turn off the A69 and go over the river turn first right and you can park for free, there's public toilets and a play area and nice walk along the river at Tyne Green. There's also a big Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose and Lidl at the next turning if you need to stock up on supplies.