Please recommend me a special, DC friendly overnight stop on the M6…

[dockspider]

Anywhere from Manchester to Bristol. It doesn’t have to be on the M6 but preferably not a big detour either. We are driving from Scotland to Cornwall on my birthday weekend and so would like to break the journey somewhere a bit more special than our usual premier inn!
DC are 3, 6 and 8. We love outdoorsy stuff - so very happy to glamp/stay somewhere rustic.

We’ve just had a wonderful weekend at Kirby Lonsdale. Just off the M6. Beautiful and loads to do for all ages. Nearby ingleton is fabulous too with a brilliant Waterfalls walk.

That sounds lovely! Great to get a recommendation for somewhere in the Lakes that isn’t too far off track.

Oops - I’ve just looked at the map and realised it’s not in the Lakes at all, not sure why I thought it was!

Trentham Gardens in Stoke-on-Trent is really good fun, with a Monkey Forest and Go Ape next door too. Gardens and lake beautiful, v child friendly with great playground, barefoot walk, lots of nice eateries and shops. Boat and kid’s train on lakeside walk.
There’s a Premier Inn on site, and it’s 5 mins from M6.

I don’t know any specific hotels but somewhere in Knutsford or Lymm might suit you.

The Swan Hotel at Newbury Bridge in the southern lakes in fabulous, and not far off the m6. Gorgeous scenery, outstanding child friendly hotel with great family rooms with a little kids bunk room (with tv) off the main 'grown ups ' room which is really nice. Great food, pool, newly opened spa (not been since this opened as we live abroad now) and they bring milk and swan shaped cookies to the kids at bedtime. We used to visit a lot and can't recommend it enough!

Ingleton is beautiful, or there is gullivers world at Warrington - family theme park/ water park. Lots family accommodation.

Thanks all, loads of great ideas to think about.

Been to the swan with kids, it is nice!

Second Trentham Gardens. The gardens are lovely and the monkey forest. Nice mid way point.

Wellington is a nice break a bit further down. We often stay there when travelling from Essex to Cornwall. Good luck!

Re The Swan - which looks beautiful - can kids use the pool or is it adult only?

The Belfry just outside Birmingham has two large play areas, kids library and kids swim times in the pool. There are interconnecting rooms.