Top 10 Sights to See Off the M6 or M1!

[Splurt]

Hey hey,

I plan to pick up my newly acquired van on Saturday in the London area and have 3days of leisurely driving north to Heysham for my boat on Tuesday. Exciting stuff!

Can anyone recommend some nice places worth stopping at while en-route? I wont bother with any campsites. Any nice scenic areas or places of interest to stop at to have a look and possibly park up for the night at would be good. I'm Irish, give me some reasons to fall in love with England, the M6 certainly wont do it!!

[Louey]

Ikea J9 - do a good cheap breakfast??

Trentham Gardens (especially the Monkey Forest) J15 nr Stoke On Trent

Cannock Chase J11 - a few miles away from the M6 but lovely Forest walks

[Splurt]

Cheers, will start marking out the map. Don't mind venturing off the motorway at all, the more the better really!

[thechubbsdub]

If you venture a few more miles North of Heysham, the lake district is not much further up the M6

[Splurt]

Cheers for the suggestions.

Cannock Chase was lovely during daylight but it was difficult to find a quiet lane without a car load of dodgey looking fellas smoking in cars. Ended up getting followed by one particular car for 30mins into about 3 different carparks so moved on down the motorway, I wasn't going to challenge anyone, was too far out of my comfort zone.

The Monkey Forest was definitely worth the stop, lovely sunny day and spent about 3hrs lazing in the sunshine with all the monkeys, was great!

Headed on towards the lakes then but only got as far as Minthorpe, stocked up on a few beers and found a good quiet spot at the end of Force Lane near Levens Hall. Little turning spot at the end of a Cul de Sac, very quiet and a lovely walk by the river Kent. Nice and close to the motorway for an early morning start too.

Overall our first experience in our new van was class, hopefully it keeps getting better and better!