Where to stop between London and Sheffield?

[unicorn79]

We are driving up to Sheffield from South London with our 20 month old and would like to stop on the way, any ideas for places off the motorway worth a trip?

For tourism or just a practical stop?

If the latter, Leicester Forest service station is peak bleak britishness, you eat KFC over the motorway, seems to make one ruminate on life and death!

Which way are you going? If you’re coming from S or SE London, I’d recommend going up the M11/A14/A1 if coming from M25, or just A1 (then either A57 or M18/M1 depending on where in Sheffield). There are lots of good stopping opportunities on that route:

• Hatfield Forest (M11 J8)
• Peterborough services on the A1 are the best services on that stretch.
• Belton House (Lincolnshire, National Trust) has a fab play area.
• Rutland Water.
• Clumber Park (Notts, A57/A1 junction) is a lovely option for a break.

M1: Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire is nice but you are most of the way to Sheffield by then!

Thankyou so much WhatsTheTimeMrCat, we had just planned to go up the M11 so really helpful to look at alternative routes

Dozer it’s for tourism, but you do make the service station sound weirdly appealing!