The best places to stop on a road trip
Read on for more survey results and our selection of the best places to stop on a road trip.
We surveyed people about their holiday plans for 2021. Unsurprisingly due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and current international travel restrictions, there is much more confidence in booking holidays in the UK.
20% of people have booked a holiday in the UK within the next couple of months compared to just 4% who have a holiday abroad planned.1
Cars are also set to be the main form of travel for holidays at home – of the people we spoke to who have a trip planned in the UK, 95% said they were planning to travel by car.
83% of those planning to travel by car said it was their preferred mode of transport, while 55% also said it was so they could plan their own route. 51% credited being able to make additional stops on the way as one of their main reasons to travel by car.
Out of the respondents who are travelling by car to their UK holiday destination, 61% said they plan where they stop when travelling by car. But how do these people choose where to stop on a road trip?
Over a fifth of people consider landmarks and attractions when deciding where to stop, highlighting that for many people it’s about the journey as well as the destination.
Of course, making regular stops on a long car trip isn’t just about making it more enjoyable – it’s also important to take breaks to rest so you can stay focused on the road.
To help make car journeys as enjoyable as possible this summer, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to stop on a road trip.
We looked at the 20 busiest motorway junctions in the UK2, which are all located across England, and what places are within a short drive of them. We considered a range of factors – from customer reviews to opening hours and food and drink options to decide on our list – which includes independent eateries, fine dining, family-friendly activities and even overnight stays.
The opening hours and facilities available at the places featured on our list are subject to change so make sure to double-check their website or contact the venue to double check the details before you go.
Please note that some of the places included in this list serve alcohol. If you’re found guilty of drink-driving, you could be imprisoned, banned from driving or fined. Find out more about UK drink-driving laws on the GOV.UK website.
In this article
With 26,061 miles of the England’s 188,500 miles of road in North West England alone, it’s not surprising that it’s also home to 5 of the UK’s 20 busiest junctions.
The 5 busiest junctions are the M60 A34, M60 J15, M56 J10, M60 LA Boundary and M56 Spur.
The Cheshire Line Tavern in Stockport is a former railway station less than 10 minutes from this junction, which has been converted into a pub restaurant.
Head over Heels in Wilmslow near Stockport is also close to this junction and creates play experiences for children but also features a large café and seating area for parents.
Worsley Old Hall in Salford is less than 15 minutes from the M60 J15 – it features cosy rooms for overnight stays as well as a large central bar for refreshments and has a 4.4-star rating on Google.
Ryders Farm Equestrian Centre in Bolton is also less than a 15-minute drive from this junction, and a great option if you and the family want to try a bit of horse riding on your holiday.
Ring O’Bells in Daresbury near Warrington is a pub restaurant which was originally Daresbury’s courthouse and still has a session room where court proceedings once took place.
Apple Jacks Adventure Farm near Warrington is just 6 miles away from the junction and offers a range of fun activities for the kids.
The independent Coffee Sack in Bury offers lovely coffee, loose leaf teas and a brunch and lunch menu less than 15 minutes from the M60 LA Boundary. Its 4.6- and 4.5-star ratings on Google and TripAdvisor speak for themselves.
The Hayrack Church Farm Park & Café in West Cheshire is just a 5-minute drive from this junction and offers you the chance to feed a variety of animals and birds. The café also serves freshly prepared snacks and meals, and kids can enjoy the adventure playground.
61% of people plan where they stop when travelling by car.
Yorkshire boasts outstanding scenery, from rolling hills to historic castles. The roads running through Yorkshire and the Humber are largely used by those travelling to and from the region, or through it to and from Scotland.
The 4 busiest junctions are the A1(M) J44, M1 J40, M62 J30 and M1 M18 Spur.
The Crooked Billet Inn near Leeds is famed for its giant Yorkshire puddings and located less than 10 minutes from the A1(M) J44. The pub is just outside the village of Saxton, near the famous battle of Towton fields.
Bramham Park is located in the middle of the Yorkshire countryside between Leeds and Wetherby near this junction. The house can be visited by appointment and the gardens are also available to wander around when open.
The Star Inn in Wakefield is a real ale pub, just over 5 minutes from this junction, which serves lunch and sharing boards. With a 4.5 rating on Trip Advisor, it’s a good option for a refreshment break if you’re in the area.
Cheeky Monkeys in Wakefield, an adventure play centre with two separate play areas, is also just over 10 minutes away making it perfect stop when the kids need a break from the car.
Oulton Hall in Leeds is a short drive from this junction, with the countryside mansion house offering fine dining and overnight stays. It gains positive reviews from customers with a 4.3 rating on Google reviews.
Diggerland Yorkshire in Castleford will likely be the kids' stop of choice – the theme park features 20 different rides and is just over 10 minutes from this junction.
Winthrop Gardens in Rotherham is a small sensory garden just over 10 minutes away, perfect for a relaxing break for the whole family. There are also tea rooms available with a variety of hot and cold food and drinks on offer.
2 of the 20 busiest junctions in the UK are in the East of England. With Norfolk and Suffolk situated in the east of England, it’s unsurprising the roads surrounding are busy, particularly those leaving London.
These 2 junctions are the M25 J21A and LA Boundary.
Cheslyn House & Garden in Watford is just a 10-minute drive from the M25 21A. The house and 3.5 acres of land have been managed by Watford Council for over 55 years and features a pond and aviary. Free to access, this would be a perfect place to stop and explore on a sunny day with a picnic.
The Original Tea Hut in Loughton is a little green hut in the heart of the ancient Epping Forest. Their menu boasts a range of speciality teas and coffees, along with a decent choice of food including vegetarian options. Popular with customers, it boasts a 5-star rating on Trip Advisor.
Being the capital of the UK, London’s orbital road has 2 of the busiest junctions in the UK. While most of traffic is from those travelling to and from the city, it’s also used by many people on their way to other places.
The 2 junctions are the M25 J14 and J25.
The George at Wraysbury in Windsor and Maidenhead is just a 10-minute drive from the M25 14 – the pub was once the training place for boxer Henry Cooper. 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 in Enfield is a restored botanist’s gardens just 2 miles away from this junction, complete with a carp lake, Victorian glasshouse, visitor centre/museum and café. It regularly hosts events, such as live music and theatre, so if you plan ahead you might be able to catch one on your trip.
The Zebra Riding Club in Waltham Cross is a restaurant with a difference just a short distance from the M25 J25 – it uses the growing farm, woods and produce surrounding it throughout the year. This locally sourced approach has gained it a 4.8-star rating on Google.
South East England is home to some well-known tourist spots and it also has some of the main connecting motorways between different areas of the country.
The 5 busiest junctions are the M25 J16, M27 LA Boundary, M4 LA Boundary, A3(M) J4 and M3 J4.
The Apple Tree in Gerards Cross in Buckinghamshire is a pub, bar and restaurant less than 10 minutes from this junction. It has a range of food and drink on offer, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Go Ape in Slough is also just a short drive from the junction and provides fun, family-friendly activities. It’s ideal for an active break from the car journey.
The Solent Sky Museum in Southampton near the M27 LA Boundary is an ideal stop for airplane enthusiasts. With a 4.6 rating on Google reviews, the museum tells the story of aviation in the Hampshire and Solent region, which was a centre for this industry in the first half of the 20th century.
The Neeld Arms near Windsor and Maidenhead is a 17th-century stone inn where you can dine or stay overnight. It’s located in the historic village of Grittleton, just a few miles from this junction.
Lacock Abbey, Fox Museum of Talbot and Village, near Chippenham in Wiltshire, is ideal for those who like history. The country house with monastic routes was once home to William Henry Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative.
The Ship Inn in Langstone in Portsmouth is a good place to stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner if you’re passing through this junction. This family-friendly seaside pub and restaurant offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
The Macdonald Frimley Hotel and Spa in Surrey offers fine dining at its 2 AA Rosette restaurant, a lovely pool and spa and overnight stays.
The Gravity Force Camberley Trampoline Park in Surrey is less than a 5-minute drive from the junction. With a 4.2 star rating on Google Reviews, the trampolining centre is a perfect way for the whole family to take an active break from your car journey.
When the lockdown first eased in 2020, over 80,000 visitors were expected in Cornwall in one weekend, making the roads on the route there very busy. The area is home to some of England's most beautiful coastlines.
The 2 busiest junctions are the M5 LA Boundary and M4 J20/15 M4/M5.
The Wave in Bristol is the stop for you if you’ve always wanted to try surfing – this inland surf destination provides safe waves for all ability levels.
The Folly in Emersons Green near Bristol is a pub serving a good selection of drinks and food, making it a nice stop off point if you’re passing through this junction.
Almondsbury Garden Centre in Bristol is also just 5 minutes away from this junction, and has its own café.
If you’re heading on a road trip this year, consider taking the opportunity to explore new places on the journey, whether that’s an independent café, historic pub restaurant, country mansion house or family-friendly activity centre.
Wherever you choose to visit, make sure you plan regular stops on long journeys to avoid getting tired and stay focused on the road.
1. AA Passenger Seat survey with 1,023 respondents conducted in June 2021.
2. Department for Transport road traffic statistics, Raw count data – major and minor roads, 2019
