Driving from Liverpool to Southampton

[Mim Lloyd]

Booked on Celebrity Silhouette on 17 July. We're driving down to Southampton the day before the cruise, 2 cars with 4 adults and 3 young children and we're going to need to make a few stops on the way for the kids. Anyone know of any child friendly pit stops on the motorways that will enable them to blow off a little steam? Think we're going M6, M40, A34, with an overnight stay near Winchester.

[tring]

If you go on the M6 toll the service station on it has a large grassed surround to the car park with a small hill you can climb up to one side, so worth doing one stop there (assuming you will be looking at a few).  A number of picnic tables as well, though.  Not an adventure playground admittedly, but not as dangerous in as most service stations either - you would likely be able to see it on Google Earth.

 

We often stop at National Trust (and also English Heritage) properties, though if not members you would probably need to pay an entrance fee to the grounds and get a timed ticket in covid times.  You would possibly need to book a specific timed slot as well, so could be a tad difficult to plan if the roads are busy, though could change if restrictions lifted.  Again, perhaps worth a search of the websites. 

[Ray66]

Yes, we always use the M6 toll road - much quieter and quicker and worth the fee.

 

I can recommend the Holiday Inn Winchester which has its own free car park and air con. I'm not a fan of Southampton hotels on the whole.

[Bloodgem]

We always stop at Cherwell Valley, M40 Junction 10. They have an inside children's play area; an outside children's play area and a riverside walk.

 

If you don't mind adding an extra 15 miles on to your journey consider staying at 
Holiday Inn Express : Southampton - West, SO16 0YP.  You only then have to travel roughly 30 mins with very excited children the next day. 

 

We always use the M6 Toll, it's with the price

[Mim Lloyd]

Good tips folks, thanks. Both of those stops sound good. 

[Bob++]

This site looks useful:

 

The best family motorway stop offs - mummytravels

[Harters]

Your route is fine. I've used it several times from Manchester to get to Southampton and other parts along the coast there. Another vote for  the M6 Toll - using the main M6 is a pain for slow moving traffic. I'd also agree about Winchester being a good bet for the overnight. It's near enough to the port for an easy run the next morning after a leisurely breakfast.

 

By the by, we used Parking4Cruises to look after the car at the port. Thought they were very good. They had their set-up just across the road from the ship. For an extra charge, they'll valet your car while you're away. We'll use them again next year

[Mim Lloyd]

Thanks both, that website looks very useful. And we've got free parking at the port from Celebrity but will also look at Parking4Cruises for our cruise from Southampton in December.