Nice/best play to stay between London and Lake District with toddler

[Portugal1987]

We’ll be gling to the Lake District (Ambleside) and driving from London.

We have an almost two-year old toddler and we may want drive up halfway the night before to break up the journey.

I guess we won’t be doing muchsightseeing, but if we’re going to spend money it might as well be nice!

Anyone has a tip:

• Easy to reach from route
• Airbnb or maybe even cute hotel/guesthouse with breakfast?
• Or nice town where we could have breakfast/get coffee/go for a walk in the morning before getting back on the road?

Stayed at the village hotel Dudley which had a lovely swimming pool. Also stayed at a lovely pub on Cannock chase last year, had a spa bath. It’s about half way

this may be of use @Portugal1987