London to York

[fiona121212]

We are going to York mid-August, travelling by car from London. Can anyone recommend services/picnic areas with toilets? We will bring our food but would like to stop somewhere on route to stretch our legs and use the toilet at the York end of our journey.

I'm confused by the "at the York end of our journey".....do you want somewhere to stop between London and York or near to York, or both??
A1 or M1 route? As far as I know all motorway services should be open. Cluber park is only a few minutes off the A1 and nice for a leg stretch / picnic. It's National Trust so you'd need to check what their entry policy is at the moment.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park is about 1-1.5 hours south of York on the M1@J38. It’s literally 2 mind off the motorway and great for a leg stretch, but you do have to book morning/afternoon slots now.

A lot of places you’ll need to book.

Blacker Hall Farm Shop is also near there, 2 mins of M1 J39, it has a cafe and a largish outside area with some play stuff. Again, not sure if you have to book.

Pugney’s country park is 5 mlns off the M1@J39. I believe the playground is open, not sure about cafe and toilets, but they close the car park when it’s full, which can be very quick on a nice day.

I think the problem with places to stop en route will be that many will need you to book in advance.

Actually Clumber is a good shout.,’ it is National Trust, but there is a public road through, so you can park elsewhere and walk into the estate.

If you don’t want to deviate too far from your journey, Stockwood Discovery Centre near Luton is just 2 minutes from the M1. There are galleries, a garden, a children’s play area and a cafe. And there’s no charge for parking. It’s opening early August.
Midway between Milton Keynes and Northampton, Stoke Bruerne is a canal-side village perfect for a waterside wander and a picnic. On the banks of the Union Canal, the canal museum offers a history of the UK’s waterways and has a small cafe (selling ice cream in case that’s important…)
Manor Farm Catthorpe is on the doorstep of junction 19 where the M1 meets the M6 but it’s not accessible from there. Instead, if you’re heading north come off at junction 18 and for those heading south it’s junction 20. The farm is just off the A5. The cafe menu has everything I need from a motorway stop: all day breakfasts, nice lunches or cream teas.
Hardwick Hall is less than a mile from Junction 29 (near Tibshelf Services) but you do need to book. The main car park, parkland and garden are open. Stableyard toilets are open.

Thanks for your ideas I will look them up.