Granny's house
Among the things most likely to spoil the Christmas holidays, being cooped up for hours in a car crammed with kids and parcels ranks pretty high. Which is why, last year, I Had A Good Idea. Why not banish the idea of it being a journey completely, and replace it with the idea of having a day out that starts in London and ends at Granny and Grandad's house in Yorkshire?
My husband, as usual, was sceptical: would we want to stop mid-journey, he asked - and would we have long enough in a place to make it worth the entrance fee? The answer, as it turned out, was yes and yes again: the children found it far easier to cope with two three-hour journeys, separated by a three-hour break, than they do with the usual six-hour schlep. What's more, by travelling at the very beginning and very end of the day, we avoided the heaviest traffic. If you'd like to try this cunning ploy, here are some of the best places within a stone's throw of the main routes.
M6
Waterworld (Junction 15 or 16)
Open: 10am-6pm or later (ring to check); closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and January 1.
Prices: Adults £8; children £8 (if over 1.1m tall), £4 (if under 1.1m); family (2+2) £28.75.
Why you'd want to go: You'll certainly tire them out, with the indoor water roller coaster, the aquadisco, amazing flumes and slides and the bubble pools. Just remember to take cossies and towels.
Information: 01782 205747, waterworld.co.uk.
National Football Museum (Junction 31)
Open: Every day except Christmas Day, varying hours.
Prices: Free, but penalty shoot-out experience is £2.95.
Why you'd want to go: A top-scoring stop-off for footie lovers: as well as the inevitable halls of fame, there's an interactive penalty shoot-out, complete with crowd sound effects, where you can pit your skills against the electronic goalie.
Information: 01772 908400, nationalfootballmuseum.com.
M42
Snowdome (Junction 10)
Open: 9am-11pm; closed on Christmas Day.
Prices: Various, but, for example, it's around £5 for a child to go sledging or tubing for half an hour.
Why you'd want to go: The Snowdome is a winter wonderland where you can go adrenalin tubing, ice skating, sledging or just chuck snowballs at one another. There's also skiing and snowboarding, but it's advisable to book ahead for that.
Information: 08705 000011, snowdome.co.uk.
M1
National Space Centre (Junction 21A or 22)
Open: 10am-3.30pm (last entry); closed December 25-26 and on January 1.
Prices: Adults £9.95; children £7.95; family (2+2) £30; (2+3) £36.
Why you'd want to go: Find out what it will be like to work on a lunar base in 2025; visit the Dr Who exhibition; or watch the 20-minute film, Big, on the size of the universe.
More information: 0116 2610261, spacecentre.co.uk.
M5
Helicopter Museum (Junction 21)
Open: 10am-4.30pm; closed December 25-27 and on January 1.
Prices: Adults £4.95; children £2.95; family (2+2) £13, (2+3) £15.
Why you'd want to go: Climb-on helicopters for the young ones and 80 real helicopters for older kids and parents who are flying enthusiasts; plus, if you are passing on January 8, the chance to go for a spin (£25 a seat).
Information: 01934 635227, helicoptermuseum.co.uk.
Wookey Hole (Junction 22)
Open: 10am-4pm; closed on Christmas Day.
Prices: £7.50 to visit Santaland; £10 for the cave tour as well.
Why you'd want to go: These Somerset caves are fascinating any time, but especially good value at this time of the year because Santa hangs out in what's billed as the largest grotto in the world. With a play barn, penny arcade and art workshops, there's masses to do.
Information: 01749 672243, wookey.co.uk.
M4
Living Rainforest (Junction 13)
Open: 10am-4.30pm (1pm close on Christmas Eve); closed on December 25 and 26.
Prices: Adults £5.65; children £3.65; family (2+2) £16.95.
Why you'd want to go: Discover the world of the rainforest, plus art workshops on December 28, 29 and 30.
Information: 01635 202444, livingrainforest.org.
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