London-manchester road trip

[Eggsbaconsausage]

We are attending an event in Manchester this summer and want to make a road trip of it, with approx 3 days either side to explore the UK at a leisurely pace by car between London and Manchester. Kids aged 7+9. Looking for ideas of attractions and locations to stop. So far Stratford upon Avon, black country living museum, waterpark in stoke. Any other ideas please? Anywhere vaguely en route between London and Manchester.

Trentham Monkey Forest

Derbyshire Dales - Chatsworth, Matlock, Dovedale, Hathersage Outdoor Pool, Ladybower, Ilam Park to name a few

Alton Towers?

Cotswold animal park
Ironbridge
black country museum
Cadbury world
tamworth snow dome
Warwick castle
crich tramway village
motor museum at gaydon

Yep. All of these. At the very least stay somewhere near Bakewell and visit Chatsworth.

I think Oxford has been our favourite Manchester-London stopover. The University is very Hogwarts-coded, and the Pitt Rivers Museum is really interesting. Mine also loved punting. Plus there's a decent shopping centre with some nice restaurants if the culture gets a bit much.

Bletchley Park

RAF Museum at Cosford
Blists Hill Victorian Village