Calm places to stop on the motorway

A family wearing warm jackets and wellington boots walk with the exterior of Knightshayes in the background, and trees in autumn leaf — Autumn walks on the estate at Knightshayes | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Going on a long drive? Swap the busy service stations for a calmer alternative. Many of the places we care for are located near motorways, A roads and other main routes, so you can stretch your legs somewhere with a view. Refresh yourself at our cafés and restaurants, surrounded by nature and history.

Winter house closures

Some of the places in our care close over the winter months so we can carry out vital conservation work. Please check individual place webpages for up-to-date information on opening times before you visit.

Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire: Get a taste of 1930s luxury with a stop at Anglesey Abbey. Explore the Jacobean-style house, stretch your legs in the garden, or grab some refreshment in the Redwoods Restaurant. It can be found about 7.5 miles/11 minutes off the A14 (junction 25).Stop at Anglesey Abbey
Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire: Baddesley Clinton's medieval-moated manor house is a convenient place to stop just outside Birmingham. Have tea in the Barn Restaurant and then browse the second-hand bookshop. You'll find Baddesley Clinton off the M42 (exit 5) – approximately 6 miles/7 minutes south; or off the M40 (exit 15) – about 10 miles/18 minutes north.Stop at Baddesley Clinton
Basildon Park, Berkshire: With more than 400 acres of parkland to explore, Basildon Park is the ideal spot for a rest from driving. Wander through grand rooms filled with paintings, explore the gardens or run wild in the parkland with its year-round seasonal colour. Basildon Park is approximately 7 miles/15 minutes off the M4 (exit 12).Stop at Basildon Park
Beningbrough, North Yorkshire: From the wealthy teenager who built the mansion to its occupation by the RAF in the Second World War, Beningbrough is full of intriguing stories. Check out the changing exhibitions in the gallery or grab something tasty from the walled garden restaurant or coffee shop. Beningbrough Hall can be found about 2.9 miles/8 minutes off the A19.Stop at Beningbrough
Chartwell, Kent: Take a break at the former home of Sir Winston Churchill. Look out for the wall he built in the Kitchen Garden, explore his former study in the house or pause in Lady Clementine’s Rose Garden. The café serves hot and cold lunches, light snacks and cakes to keep you going. Chartwell is off the M25 (exit 5 or 6), roughly 8.5 miles/15 minutes away.Stop at Chartwell
Crom, County Fermanagh: Located on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, Crom is a peaceful place to pause for a while and enjoy a refreshing cup of tea in the tea-room. This 2,000-acre estate is surrounded by tranquil islands and ancient woodlands, and is home to a wealth of wildlife including otters, red squirrels and pine martens. You can find Crom about 13 miles/25 minutes off the A4.Stop at Crom

Dragon head statues on the lawn at Wallington, Northumberland, | © ©National Trust Images/Tim Robinson

Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire: The lavish collections inside Dyrham's grand country house reflect the 17th-century fashion for all things Dutch. Set in extensive parkland situated between Bath and Bristol, the sloping estate has far-reaching views and ancient trees, as well as several eating places to refuel yourself. You'll find Dyrham Park off the M4 (exit 18) – a drive of about 3 miles/4 minutes.Stop at Dyrham Park
Gibside, Tyne & Wear: The extensive 18th-century landscape garden at Gibside offers a taste of the country on the edge of the city. Discover sweeping Derwent Valley views, winding paths and open spaces to stretch tired legs in. Enjoy delicious wood-fired pizza on weekends and school holidays, 12pm-3pm. Gibside can be found approximately 4.5 miles/9 minutes off the A1.Stop at Gibside
Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire: A tranquil setting off the busy M5 to rest and recharge, the country retreat of Hanbury Hall features an orangery, ice-house, pavilions and even a working mushroom house. There's also a children's adventure playground for little ones to let loose. You'll find Hanbury Hall off the M5 (exit 5) – about a 4-mile/5-minute drive.Stop at Hanbury Hall
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire: Between Nottingham and Sheffield is the extravagant Hardwick Hall, where powerful Elizabethan figure Bess of Hardwick once showed off her wealth. Switch off from the outside world with a turn around the fragrant herb garden, orchards and parkland or see historic tapestries up close in the house. Hardwick Hall is approximately 1 mile/2 minutes off exit 29 of the M1.Stop at Hardwick Hall
Knightshayes, Devon: With acres of gardens and parkland surrounding a Gothic Revival house, there's plenty to see at Knightshayes. Stretch your legs with a wander around the woodlands or stop at the Stables Café before you hit the road again. Knightshayes can be found off the M5 (exit 27) – roughly 8 miles/12 minutes drive away.Stop at Knightshayes
Quarry Bank, Cheshire: Quarry Bank was once home to a complete industrial community. During your pit stop, see inside the home of the Greg family who once owned the mill, or go on a guided tour of the Apprentice House to learn about the pauper children who worked in the mill. You'll find Quarry Bank about 5 miles/13 minutes off the M56 (exit 5).Stop at Quarry Bank

View of the Palladian bridge and Pantheon at Stourhead, Wiltshire — The Palladian bridge and Pantheon at Stourhead, Wiltshire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Runnymede and Ankerwycke, Surrey: Within easy reach of the M25 is Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was sealed over 800 years ago. Pop into the café after you've explored the art installations and historical monuments dotted around the meadows and woodland. It's close to Windsor and Heathrow, making it a great place to pause during a long journey. Runnymede is about 2 miles/4 minutes from exit 13 off the M25.Stop at Runnymede
Sizergh, Cumbria: At the gateway to the Lake District, Sizergh – surrounded by lush gardens, wetlands, woodlands and an orchard – is a great place to break up your journey. The imposing house has many tales to tell, while the grounds include the largest limestone rock garden in our care. Sizergh can be found approximately 5 miles/8 minutes from exit 36 off the M6.Stop at Sizergh
Stourhead, Wiltshire: Stourhead's historic garden with its classical temples is set around a central lake. An ever-changing series of vistas will greet you as you stroll along the winding paths. You can grab a pick-me-up from the restaurant or refreshment kiosk. You can find Stourhead off the A303 – approximately 3 miles/4 minutes drive away.Stop at Stourhead
Tredegar House, Newport: Tredegar's 17th-century house and garden sits just off the M4 as you enter Wales. Its 90 acres of parkland, including the lake and three walled gardens, provide plenty of room to let off steam part way through a long car journey. Tredegar House can be found about a mile/2 minutes off the M4 (exit 28).Stop at Tredegar House
Wallington, Northumberland: From open moorland and wooded streams to lakes and mires – there’s plenty to discover at Wallington. Follow winding paths through the estate, explore the quirky curiosities inside the house, or have a cup of tea at the Clocktower Café. Wallington is about 1.8 miles/4 minutes off the A696.Stop at Wallington
Wentworth Castle Gardens, Yorkshire: Wentworth Castle Gardens is an ideal spot to break up your journey in South Yorkshire. Wander through the garden, relax in the café with views over the deer park or let children burn off energy in the playground. Wentworth Castle Gardens can be found off the M1 (exit 37) – approximately 3 miles/7 minutes drive away.Stop at Wentworth Castle Gardens