need a good lunch/picnic place along the M6 for kids to run around, someplace near stafford?

[stitch]

travelling north on the m6. need a place to have a picnic, and stretch our legs. and preferably see some greenery? just relax a bit. as we are doing approximatley a 600 mile journey over two days.
previously we have been to tatton park, but we dont need to get quite so far north as quickly this year. so anything around junction 14 should be fine.
any suggestions please from anyone who knows the local area much appreciated

please?

Trentham Gardens is lovely - it's just off J15 rather than 14, here
but is really worth it. There is loads to do, so much in fact that you may want to factor in a bit of a longer stop if you can.

cannock chase is wonderful. Junction 13 (I think) It's a little way from motorway but well worth it imo

TElford Town PArk - a bit of a detour but great play ares.

Yes, second TRentham - very close to motorway. Pay to go in the Italian garden: fab play area there for kids... And beautiful garden.

If you don't want to pay you can still walk by the lake (entrance to lake walk quite hidden between two sheds near the loos!)

Weston Park?

thank you lovely mumsnetters.
i was begining to worry nobody had any suggestions.

trentham gardens website is a bit confusing.
there seems to be masses of things to do. but no information on entry prices, and whether i can bring a picnic and have it there.

you don't have to pay to go in the main shopping bit and the lakeside walk. you do have to pay for the Italian gardens which includes the play area, showgardens, barefoot walk, woodland walk etc..

Monkey Forest is a separate bit further along the A34 - but really worth going if you've time.

If you just want a picnic by the lake, no payment at all - unless your DCs pester you for a boat ride!

Get sainsbury voucher and go to Warwick castle instead - I know not tec on M^ but not that far is it?

Warwick castle is really good dungeons, wax works - 2 miles from M40

we have the merlin pass, so i would love to go to warwick castle. but, we need to get to kendal by the evening, as staying there overnight.
hmm, actually, thats not a bad idea. how long do you think it will take us in warwick castle?

too expensive for those of us who dont have the merlin pass. we're traveling with family.

warwick well parking right by the castle is £3 the americans can do the castle in 2 hours... so three hours to get the value - how much is it with the voucher?

I live in warwick but ages since been to castle as so expensive on normal terms - but apparently worth it.

Or do it on the way back from kendal?

trentham gardens it is i think!

we're actually travelling all the way up to the highlands of scotland. just staying overnight in a travelodge near kendala
we could do it on the way back. but i will have to look into clubcard vouchers as too expensive otherwise.
i think trentham is more appropriate.

lastmindotcom tickets at 10 quid for adults instead of £17

Hope you enjoy TG - we always have. Monkey Forest is brilliant - not too expensive & a great way to stretch your legs & walk through a very pretty forest, as well as seeing the gorgeous monkeys (who have just had babies this year...sooooo cute!). There's a cafe there too so you wouldn't need to go into the main part of TG if you chose to do this. There's also a nice outdoor (with a sheltered bit) picnic area.

Alternatively, go into the main part of TG (as WilfSell said, there are 2 car parks) and walk around lake, use loos, grab a drink etc at one of the shops of garden centre.

thank you