Somewhere to stop on way to Yorkshire

[Lurkingforawhile]

On Monday we're travelling from Berkshire to near Masham in Yorkshire (so up the M1). Very excited about a week away! We can't check in til a bit later so wanted somewhere to stop around half way for lunch and a look around. Either a garden, national trust or similar for a couple of hours. We can take packed lunch but a cuppa would be nice. Does anyone have a recommendation? Thanks!

Yorkshire sculpture park is just off the M1 and is a lovely place to while away a bit of time.

If you get chance while you're in the area, The Forbidden Corner is a wonderful place for a day out

Chatsworth? Can happily spend a few hours here

Another vote for the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. It’s wonderful!

Attenborough Nature Reserve is close to junction 25. It has some marked trails around the reserve, a farm shop and a cafe. Pre-covid times (we haven’t been since) there was an indoor nature discovery centre.
Hardwick Hall is less than 1 mile from junction 29. Follow the exit on to the A617 (to Mansfield), at the lights turn right, then follow the brown signs. The gardens are amazing. Last time we went, there were some parkland sculpture trails.
Rother Valley country park is a couple of miles from junction 31. Sometimes we hire bikes if we have enough time. If not, we go for a walk around the nature reserve or the lakes. You can also hire pedal boats, rowing boats or canoes. There is a large adventure playground and miniature ride-on train. There’s a nice cafe there too.

Hardwick Hall near Chesterfield is nearer the motorway than Chatsworth. It's very close to junction 29.

Hardwick Hall is National Trust so you have to book even if you only want to park and go for a walk.

I did almost same journey last week! We stopped at Yorkshire Sculpture Park - it was awful! You have to book an arrival slot but when we arrived the car park was heaving and we were sent down the road to the overflow car park. It was horrendously busy which took away any enjoyment. My daughter needed the toilet and we had to queue for 30 mins. Am sure it was lovely pre Covid and maybe will be quieter outside of school holidays but just be warned. Hardwiick Hall is very nice but expensive if not a member. Don't know what it's like at this current time.

How about Cannon Hall? Just off the M1. You have to book online - it may be even more popular after the TV series. As well as the farm there are the gardens and walks by the river which you can just turn up and park in the carpark. There's a restaurant and café and plenty places for a picnic.
www.cannonhallfarm.co.uk/

Clumber Park would be a stop along the way, slight detour but then carry on, on the A1. Rochester is nice as is Fountains Abbey.

I’d do the sculpture park, plenty of space for distancing.

Thanks for all the suggestions, lots of options so will get booking! We've been to the sculpture park before and really enjoyed it, so let's hope it's quieter soon as it was so peaceful.

Hardwick Hall is expensive for a wander round the gardens.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park is easy to get to and you only pay for parking. Not cheap parking but not expensive if there is more than one of you. Has aret displays on and a decent cafe.

There's also Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Leave the M1 a bit earlier and use the M18 to link with the A1 - it's about 10 mins from the M18/A1M junction

Its pretty much at your destination, but Brimham rocks. NT, but no need to book. Not sure if the cafe is open. Icecream van was in Aug.

Otherwise, Hardwick hall for halfway.

Thanks @Madvixen. Forbidden Corner looks like good fun (even though we don't have kids). Will book that for driving the week

If you're going to the black Swan, you're in for a treat, lovely little place with great food...

Fountains abbey is a must, but you need to book.

You could stop in Harrogate or Knaresborough, both lovely places with a lot of heritage

@Lurkingforawhile no kids here either but it's definitely one of our favourite places when we're up that neck of the woods :-) And don't forget to pop to Bettys for tea and a fat rascal :-)