London - Newcastle which services should we stop at and any tips for keeping 9 m.o dd happy?

[cye]

I seem to have put it all in the subject heading! Has anyone got experience of service stations up/down the A1 or M1 (haven't decided on route yet) and can point us in the direction of which are good for babies? Also, if anyone has some survival tips for a car journey of the length with a very active 9 month old I'd love to hear them!
thanks

We just did a hellish journey to Kent and back in a weekend with my ds (13m) and my dsis's dd (16m). We stopped at the Woolly Edge moto service station on the M1 near, I think, Sheffield(ish). It was fantastic for the kids, with great facilities for feeding/changing, plus (weather depending) a large outdoor play area and big grassy area. It was much better than the M&S/moto one we stopped at on the way back (sorry, can't remember name, not long after M1 started) which had very little space for kids to stretch their legs, and only one change station in the entire, busy place. Mind, the M&S food helped somewhat...

• I second 2Happy there re the wolley edge stop.

Dd was 10 months old when we drove to London & back last year - we set off after lunch to coincide with her afternoon nap then had a longish stop for tea so didn't have her awake in the car too much as entertaining wasn't easy. It's worth hiding their favourite toys a few days before or buying some new ones. Lots of nursery rhymes to sing. Or alternatively - drive through the night!

dont stop at leeming bar .... its the arse of the earth

hi guys - thanks for all your tips. will avoid leeming bar and head for woolley edge! i dreading it to be honest but will sit in back with dd and keep a stack of toys to hand. fingers crossed!

I'd travel at night if that is a possibility. We travel from London to Scotland now and again, and always do it at night - usually setting off about 8pm, arriving about 2am!

That way they tend to sleep the whole way

Blyth Moto services on the A1, near Doncaster is not too bad and even has a grassy area .

The A1 is not bad at all - more motorway bits than there used to be, and it goes from London to Newcastle .

Ds always slept through the journey at that age (and he is no sleeper).

Got back yesterday after dream of a journey up and on way back dd bit more unsettled but stopped for lovely picnic at blyth services, grassy area and shade. is it a bit odd to enjoy a picnic at a service station?! Thanks for all your tips, they did help!