South of Bristol/Somerset - place to stay/things to do

[speaker1969]

Travelling from Cheshire to Cornwall with dd 10 and ds 8 and would like to stop off overnight on route as doing all the driving myself. Any suggestions south of Bristol (anywhere between Bristol and Exeter) so we haven't got so far the second day and not so far from M5 as enough travelling to do as it is. Would like to arrive lunch-early afternoon so can do something with the children in the afternoon. Places to stay, things to do would be welcome. Thanks.

Depends on when you're going. [http://www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/] from the 7th.

www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk

Balloon fiesta is amazing but it is a major traffic issue to get out of and may make finding accommodation tricky. How about Clevedon? Rather nice seaside town with a Victorian pier and prom. People do treat it like a beach but it is rather rocky and estuarial. But your kids could stretch their legs along the prom and there is a skate park and good playground at the far end. Fish chips, lollies etc all available. Also a national trust place called Clevedon Court which I've never been to but IME Nat Trust things are amazing for kids.

On that note I heartily recommend Tyntesfield, just outside Bristol but on the same side. Massive house which is quite interesting but the grounds are amazing. We just go and "let the kids off the lead". They go completely feral for a few hours while I sit and drink coffee (or snooze)

There is also the outdoor pool at Portishead which is not a million miles away (Same junction) and fun if it is hot.

If you are looking further south than that then maybe (also national trust) there's Killerton. Almost at Exeter, we sometimes meet friends there from the Deep South. In fact, get National Trust membership now if you haven't already.