Where would you stay en route from London to Blackpool?

[snackattack]

We are planning a bit of a road trip having had to cancel our USA holiday due to dd contracting swine flu. Have decided to visit various friends and to spend a few nights here and there in lovely kid friendly hotels with a pool! We are going to visit my aunt in Blackpool but can anyone suggest anywhere around middle of England or en route from London where we might stop off for a night or two? We are happy to spend money on a really nice hotel with a pool for the kids - and a bit of luxury preferably!!
Any ideas v. welcome!
Thanks

London to Blackpool is, as you've probably worked out, not that long, you could do it in about 3 or 4 hours BUT if you want to make quite a dogleg, you could go via the Cotswolds. Charingworth Manor just outside Chipping Campden is a lovely country house hotel with an indoor pool and spa & Chipping Camden is an olde worlde village with tea shops & nice countryside.

Shropshire's nice
I've stayed at B&Bs there and camped, so can't recommend good hotels.

What about the Peak District ... you could then fit in a trip to Alton Towers (or not as you prefer).

Rookery Hall in Nantwich is great and is close (ish) to Chester and the zoo.

As is Nunsmere Hall hotel and lovely walks around Delamere forest close by.