Thomasland and Cbeebiesland

[malagameddling]

I'm planning a summer holiday in the UK travelling by ferry from Ireland. We want to visit Thomasland and Cbeebiesland and then travel on to Centerparcs Sherwood Forest. Can anyone advise where would be a good place to stay for both Thomasland and Cbeebiesland? I think it would be best to stay in one place and visit both from there (reducing the time spent packing and loading up the car), and ideally it would be somewhere where we could spend a nice relaxed day in between the two theme parks.
My initial plan is to travel over on Saturday, visit Cbeebiesland on Sunday and Monday, take a day off on Tuesday, visit Thomasland on Wednesday and Thursday and then check into Centerparcs on Friday. How does that sound? I'm planning two days for each as its such a long way to travel, we want to make the most of it. All suggestions/ideas/criticisms welcome!

We stayed in Tamworth when we went to Drayton Manor. I know it's a bit further from Alton Towers but it's not ridiculously far away.

We thought it was a great spot to stay in - the town had a great castle and there were other things in the area that could easily pass some time.

Thanks @isabellerossignol, Tamworth sounds promising, I'll check it out.

Looking at it again, Tamworth might be tricky as a full hour's drive to Alton Towers might be a bit much if we wanted to do two days there. Somewhere in the middle might be better.
How many days did you spend at Drayton Manor @isabellerossignol

Uttoxeter perhaps or Burton on Trent?

Maybe Stafford?

There's a nice campsite 3 miles away from AT. They have cabins. Much cheaper than staying in the resort.
There's a b and b near the entrance, and check out airbnb

We only spent one day at Drayton Manor. I think it would be easy enough to do two days though.

But yes, I see what you mean, an hours drive to Alton Towers two days in a row probably isn't ideal. Sure ye could go to Tayto Park and save yourself the bother

Just to clarify my smart arse comment, I'm from Ireland too. I'm not sneering at Tayto Park as an outsider. I read it back to myself and realised that maybe didn't come across as a joke the way I intended it to.

I actually liked that whole area around the Midlands, I thought there were loads of interesting places to visit. We were only there for a couple of days, on our way to somewhere else, and we really wanted to stay longer.

That's if Tamworth and Stafford actually are 'The Midlands', I'm never too sure...

Not at all @isabellerossignol, I get you, ironically we have never been to Tayto Park! Thanks for your suggestions.

I've thought about it a little more and am now planning on booking two different places to stay for Alton Towers and Drayton Manor as I think it will be easier than having tired children sleep for an hour in the car in the evening and then be wide awake till midnight.

Can anyone recommend accommodation for either? Ideally some self catering, we could do a night or two in a hotel but that would be our limit as it gets stressful trying to get everyone to sleep in one room!

Somewhere between Uttoxeter and Lichfield would be a good base.
From Uttoxeter to Towers it's only 20 mins and the area around Lichfield is lovely to explore.

I would definitely stay in the Alton Towers hotels for your 2 days there its far easier to navigate and saves parking.

Then I would find an apartment on the Tuesday to Friday - we stayed in Kenliworth when we went to Drayton Manor has some nice apartments and cottages. We only spent one day but had older children so did not really do Thomasland at all!