Stop off on way to Gatwick

[Pebblesand]

We are due to travel down to Gatwick airport next week from Chester. We have 2 kids aged 3 and 18 months and are looking at trying to stop somewhere for lunch so the kids can run around and let off some steam. Just looking for any suggestions of a family friendly pub/restaurant with a playground/soft play on the way (ideally somewhere past Birmingham not too far from the M40 but open to any suggestions!) If anyone has any recommendations I would be eternally grateful.

Bicester Avenue Garden Centre

Good luck with the drive! I have no recommendations but we live near Gatwick and regularly drive to Liverpool with our two year old so know that route well 😂

Leamington might be the right sort of distance between the two - I believe Jephson park has a nice cafe.

There are a number of national trust places just off the m40 south of Birmingham

I'd suggest stopping in Warwick. St Nicholas park is really nice and has a cafe, mini funfair and lots to do. Great view of the castle too!

National Trust was going to be my suggestion (no soft play though).
Baddesley Clinton is not far from the M40/M42 junction.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/warwickshire/baddesley-clinton

I’ve also just spotted something called Hatton Country World near there, which would fulfil your soft play requirements! Never been though.
https://hattonworld.com/

We stopped in Beaconsfield services the other day (hear me out!). Unplanned and due to two crying kids (3yrs and 9months). On entry it's is hellish. Super busy food courts, people everywhere and noisy. Upstairs in Wetherspoons was like another world - it was empty so we were able to eat quietly in a booth not disturbing anyone overlooking the carnage downstairs. Colouring and crayons for our son. Out then back there looked to be a little footpath and a playground for a runabout. It's right at the end of the M40 so quite a long stretch before stopping, but could be a good stop off before you embark on the final (busy) bit of the drive. Or at least know it's there for if you need a second stop.

@LeftTheWashingOut Oh we've stopped there in the past and made the mistake of eating at the Wetherspoons. We thought the quality of the food would be average like any other Wetherspoons but the burgers we ordered were just dreadful 😩

The play park and pond were nice though I agree.

Hatton Country world isn't far from the motorway and would tick your soft play box. It's a long time since I went, and I think it's £££ to get in, but just the indoor stuff/soft play may be cheaper.

Both Warwick and Leamington have lovely parks as PP have mentioned. The cafe in Jephson Gardens in Leamington is really lovely - delicious cakes and nice savoury stuff too. There's no play stuff in Jephson though. There is a very good (new this year) play area in Victoria Park in Leamington, which has free parking. The cafe there is not as nice, but is functional. You could walk from the park to the Pump Rooms which has a cafe run by the same people as the one in Jephson Gardens.

Warwick park (St Nicholas) has a big play area and small rides (not sure how much they're open out of season). It also has a cafe which is OK, but nothing to write home about. Lots of great independent cafes a short walk away though - either on Smith St (Bread & Co) or Jury St (Jack's Shack - for the BEST toasties).

If you want to go an hour or so further on, there's Bekonscote Model Village at Beaconsfield. Not a soft play by any stretch, but a lovely thing to visit. But a long way from Chester!

Thanks so much for all your replies! So useful.
I didn’t think of a national trust place but that’s a good idea. Was initially thinking of an indoor option just in the event its raining but there’s lots of options suggested above to plan a plan A and B!
I’m going to have a look at all your suggestions properly when the kids are in bed later. Thanks again, very much appreciated.

I know you said below Brum but if you come off the M6 at the 'South Staffs' junction 13, take the turn towards Stafford and as you come off the roundabout take the first left.

This is 'Catch Corner' there is a McDonalds and a Pub with a Wacky wherehouse. There is a holiday inn express but I don't think they do food. There are normally some cows in the field opposite.

The M6 at this point becomes a 'dynamic motorway' ie variable speed limit that doesn't go above 50 and uses the hard shoulder IMHO it is worth getting on the M6 toll.

If you stay on the M6 until junction 11 there is Hollybush Garden Centre. It has a cafe, pet shop, a model railway train, shops selling all sorts of things.