Where would you stop between S.Wales & Newcastle?

[TomAllenWife]

If driving?

I can't be arsed to fly, with the car parking etc it's just too much

But I also can't be arsed to drive the full 6 hours

So where would you stop for something fun and overnight stay? With an almost 13 year old

We've done Cadbury world and Alton towers

Depends what you like to do of course, but you will be passing Manchester.... anything there that appeals ? A stadium tour maybe ?

Or do you want some fresh air - You would presumably be crossing the Dales to get across Yorkshire...... I'd stick some boots in an go for a day's walk.

You could stay in Leicester and visit the National Space Centre.
There’s also Drayton Manor just outside Birmingham near Tamworth. It has its own hotel. In Tamworth itself there’s the Snow Dome.
This inflatable Aqua park is just off the M5 south of Birmingham and there’s a Premier Inn right next door.

Shopping at the Trafford Centre? Premier Inn right across the road. Might appeal to 13 year old.

Lake District
York

Yorkshire Wildlife Park?

Depends on why I was travelling and how much annual leave I had left. Also, you're still going to be driving 6 hours, it seems unnecessary expense and time to make an overnight stop if you're pressed for annual leave/cash.

With my 13 year old I'd ask her to make a playlist for the car, pack a massive picnic of treats and get on the road. Find a nice picnic spot halfway and carry on to Newcastle.

Going via the Trafford centre and Manchester is much longer.
Yorkshire wildlife park is good but it’s quite expensive to get in so you’d probably to spend quite a while there.
there’s a small retail outlet Lakeside Village on the edge of Doncaster which wouldn’t be a big detour.
Rother Valley country park is also just off the M1.

I won't be going near Manchester I'd go m5, m42, m1 and A1

Drayton manor is a good shout 👍🏻
Or the snow dome 👍🏻
Shame lakeside village hasn't got better stores or DS would love that

Thanks for suggestions

Slightly different, and perhaps not far enough into the journey, but we used to overnight at Hilton St George's Park which is in the middle of a big football training place (near Burton on Trent). It's not too footbally (but a football fan would be chuffed).

It has always seemed comparatively cheap over the summer. It has a lovely pool and big rooms.

We usually have a swim and breakfast before stopping off somewhere for a couple of hours. Heights of Abraham/ Crich Tramway/Bolsover Castle aren't too far away.

Try Whatshalfway.com

Check what's at Castleford retail park just off the A1(M) on the outskirts of Leeds. That's got a retail outlet, indoor snow dome thing, cinema etc and a Premier Inn.

We did this exact trip 3 weeks ago. On the way there we stopped at Miller & Carter at Garforth and on the way home we stopped at Cheadle and spent the day at Quarry Banks before driving home.

Stopped at Cheadle over night I should have said!

It’s only 6 hours. Would you really have an overnight stop? I would have thought drive 3, take an hours break for a walk and then drive the remainder.

I did used to do that distance weekly for work though so am probably too used to it.

We have a similar route soon, same sort of distance. Our plan is to drive for 4 hours, then find a nice town to park up in, grab some sandwiches and head to a local park for some fresh air, maybe walk along the river if there is one - 1.5-2 hours
Then back in the car for the last 2 hours.

I would do a full day out type experience (eg theme park) as its too much (imo) on top of 6 hours driving.

I would just stop at Meadowhall for a coffee/stretch of legs then press on

@user143677433 I'm ok driving 6 hours, was just thinking of something fun we could add in really

I will probs drive all the way there, but then plan something for the return
It always feels longer lol

@MrJollyLivesNextDoor ooh I love Meadowhall so that's definitely a possibility

The Space Museum at Leicester was my first thought (and there’s another lovely museum nearby, forgets its name).

If you're National Trust members they have plenty of places to visit en-route even if it's for a drink/bit to eat/toilet/to stretch the legs.

That's what I do instead of going in services.