Top 10 motorway stop-offs

Be honest. Who actually enjoys travelling to their holiday destination? It’s all about overpriced limp sandwiches, inconsiderate drivers and headache inducing road fumes. If you have children this is usually accompanied by repetitive drones from their hand-held computer consoles or, if you’re lucky, continuous cries of “are we there yet,” and “I need the toilet – NOW.”

It doesn’t have to be like this. Why coop yourself up for hours in a car when you can set off a little earlier and stop off for fresh air and a spot of sight-seeing along one of Britain’s canals and rivers? There are hundreds of waterside attractions, which most people drive straight past en-route to their holiday accommodation.

We’ve been especially good to you and compiled a list of our top ten motorway stop offs along the canals and rivers. If you think we’ve missed anything off please let us know at feedback@waterscape.com.

M1, Junction 15
The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire
The Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne makes a perfect retreat from the motorway. Housed in a former corn mill, the museum sits on the Grand Union Canal and gives visitors a real taste of what life would have been like on the canal throughout its history.

The Waterside Café at the museum can also offer hungry travellers a bite to eat while they sit back and watch the canal traffic cruise past.

M1, Junction 20
Foxton Locks, Foxton, Leicestershire
Foxton Locks on the Grand Union Canal is one of Britain’s foremost canal landmarks with its famous flight of locks and Inclined Plane Boat Lift. A stop-off at the locks will give you a chance to stretch your legs with a walk along the sandy towpath.

Also worth a visit, the Foxton Museum occupies the site of the boat lift boiler-house, and down at the bottom of the locks, a tearoom and shop provide welcome refreshment. The Foxton Locks Inn is also well worth a visit if refreshment is needed.

M5, Junction 11
Gloucester Waterways Museum, Gloucester Docks
Bored of counting red cars and blue cars? A detour via the Gloucester Waterways Museum on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal will deliver an array of historic boats as well as a steam crane, working machine shop, forge and weighbridge. Definitely one for all the family

M5, Junctions 18 and 19
Bristol Floating Harbour, Somerset
Bristol Floating Docks on the River Avon has developed into one of the country’s most exciting tourist attractions housing galleries, museums and bars. With old warehouses now playing host to contemporary exhibitions and studios, there’s plenty to see and do in a short, or long, stop-off in Bristol.

M6, Junction 34
Lune Aqueduct, Lancaster, Lancashire
The Lune Aqueduct on the Lancaster Canal is a magnificent place to take a break from driving, have a wander, a picnic and soak up the stunning scenery.

M40, Junction 11
Banbury Museum, Banbury, Oxfordshire
The Banbury Museum on the Oxford Canal combines the town museum with Tooley’s Boatyard, a scheduled ancient monument. Making a detour to the museum will reward visitors with interactive exhibitions and the chance to see historic boats being restored.

M42, Junction 2 / M5, Junction 4
Cadbury World, Bourneville, Warwickshire
With the surrounding area filled with delicious fumes, Cadbury World is the ultimate destination for anyone with a penchant for chocolate. Whether travelling north or south, a promise of a visit to the chocolatiest of destinations is sure to keep youngsters quiet in the back.

M53, Junction 9
National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
This one’s literally next to the motorway making it a no brainer for a stop-off if you’re in the area. Situated on the Shropshire Union Canal, the National Waterways Museum is a great attraction in any weather with its collection of narrow boats, barges and ice breakers, all housed in Victorian buildings.

M62, Junction 23
Standedge Tunnel, Marsden, Yorkshire
Stopping off at Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is a good way to break up your journey as families (or singles, or couples, or any other permutations) can take a boat trip on a glass boat into the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in the country. There’s a visitor centre by the entrance and a café offering light snacks and drinks.

M80, Junction 5
Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk, Lowlands
It should be a criminal offence to drive past the Falkirk Wheel on the Forth & Clyde Canal without stopping to visit. Boat trips are a must on the world’s first and only rotating boat lift, followed by a trip to the visitor centre and lunch in the café.

Last updated: 20/07/2010