Planning an October half-term holiday? AA reveals the best stops for your family road trip
With the October half-term holiday fast approaching, and 95% of people who are having a staycation holiday planning to travel by car and 61% of people planning where they stop when travelling by car, why not plan to stop off at a service station that provides some great attractions!
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North West England:
- Head over Heels in Wilmslow (M60 A34) is great if you're planning a road trip with your children! It creates play experiences for children, and also features a large cafe and seating area for parents!
- Ryders Farm Equestrian Centre (M60 J15) is less than 15 minutes from this junction and is a great option if you and the family want to experience horse riding during your road trip! You can also grab something to eat here and if you have a dog, it's no worries as this is a dog-friendly centre!
- The Hayrack Church Farm Park & Cafe (M56 Spur) is a 5-minute drive from this junction and offers you the chance to feed a variety of animals and birds! a great activity for the entire family to enjoy. It also has an adventure playground and a cafe that provides freshly prepared snacks and meals.
Yorkshire and the Humber:
- Bramham Park A1 (M) J44 is an 18th-century country house, between Leeds and Wetherby, that can be visited by appointment. It also has some lovely gardens for you to wander!
- The Star Inn in Wakefield is a real ale pub with a 4.5 rating on Trip Advisor! Only 5 minutes from the M1 J40, it's the perfect pit stop for all the family. It is also wheelchair friendly!
East of England:
- Cheslyn House & Garden is just a 10-minute drive from M25 21A and has 3.5 acres of land that would be a perfect place to stop and explore on a dry or sunny day! The grounds feature a pond, exotic plants and an aviary, as well as dog-friendly paths!
- The Original Tea Hut: You can't go on a road trip in the UK and not stop to have a proper cup of old fashioned tea, luckily, these service stop provides just that. Found in the heart of Epping Forest, close to the M25 LA Boundary, the Original Tea Hut boats are a range of specialist tea and coffee, as well as a variety of food options. It also boasts 5 stars on Trip Advisor!
London:
- The George at Wraysbury is just a 10-minute drive from the M25 14. It’s also an ideal stopping point for other local attractions, including Magna Carta, the Queen Mother Reservoir and the famous National Trust Ankerwycke Yew.
- Myddleton House Gardens is a restored botanist's garden, in Enfield, just 2 miles from this junction. Complete with a carp lake, Victorian glasshouse, visitor centre/museum and a cafe, it's a perfect stop to stretch your legs, take in the surroundings and have a bite to eat.
South East England:
- The Ship Inn in Langstone, Portsmouth is great to stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner! With a large variety on the menu and the location being the seaside, it's the perfect break during your road trip.
- The Neeld Arms near Windsor and Maidenhead, is perfect for those who are looking for an overnight break and just a few miles from the M4 LA Boundary. Located in the historic village of Grittleton, the 17th century, stone country Freehouse is set amongst outstanding natural beauty and serves good home-cooked food using the best of local produce!
South West England
- Looking to go surfing during your road trip? The Wave in Bristol is the stop for you. This inland surf destination provides safe waves for all abilities, making it an enjoyable activity for the entire family.
- The Folly in Emersons Green, near Bristol, is the perfect food stop off point if you're passing through the M4 J20/15 M4/M5. A pub that serves a good selection of food and drinks, has wheelchair access and dog friendly is a great service station!
For the full list and more information on each, find the press release here: https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/alternative-service-stations
