Motorway breaks near the M3 and M4 | Travel

Visitors at Aberdulais Falls, south Wales Photograph: John Millar/National Trust Images

Junction 3

The Look Out Discovery Centre
Distance from junction 4 miles
Follow signs to Bracknell, turn left at roundabout into Nine Mile Ride (follow brown signs), and it's on the left.
This small educational spot is in a large area of Bracknell Forest, good for exploring by foot or bike (you can hire them there). There's a huge adventure plaground near the car park if you don't want to venture far and it's bordered by picnic tables so you can take your own or buy basic meals from the coffee shop on site. You can pick up a map with lots of woodland activities to get little ones walking; if it's rainy, visit the hands-on mini science museum; for toddlers there's an indoor stream, mini supermarket and soft play area.
• bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre, forest and playground free; museum, entry adult £7.10, child (four-15) £4.85

Junction 4

Basingstoke Canal Centre
Distance from junction 3 miles
Follow A331 south, turn off for Mytchett at second junction, follow brown signs for canal centre (postcode for satnav GU16 6DD)
On a fine day, you can experience a great British waterway by hiring a pedalo, canoe or narrowboat, or simply wander along the towpath, chucking bread for the ducks and swans. There's a picnic area and small cafe. Kids can test their balancing prowess on the ropes and beams at the outdoor play area. Inside the centre (10.30am–4.45pm in school holidays) you can get a taste of how cramped barge life was.
• basingstoke-canal.co.uk, free

Junction 5

The Mill House
Distance from junction Just over ½ mile
Follow A287/B3349 towards Alton (brown sign at roundabout)
This grand, Grade II-listed whitewashed building was once a watermill. Now it's a modern, tasteful pub with oak panelling and Persian rugs, ancient beams and exposed brickwork. Oh, and a working waterwheel inside. The posh, but not poncey, menu has a children's section, and you can eat on the terrace or lawn by the large millpond, then take a riverside stroll past the ruins of Odiham Castle. There's a play area and vintage tractor, too.
• millhouse-hook.co.uk

Junction 7

Dorney Court & Kitchen Garden
Distance from junction Just over ½ mile
Follow A4 towards Maidenhead and brown signs
It's not surprising that this fine Grade I-listed, russet-brick Tudor manor house is often used as a film location. This private pad and landscaped gardens, surrounded by ancient parkland and meadows, can be explored by the public only in August (1.30-4.30pm), though the quaint plant nursery (Dorney Court Kitchen Garden) in the house's walled kitchen garden – and the cafe using its ingredients – is open all year. Kids can have fun in the playground, with its swings and fort, clamber into a tree house, pedal a toy tractor or harass the chickens.
• dorneycourt.co.uk, adult £8, child (10-16) £5, kitchen garden (dckg.co.uk) free

Junction 12/13

Royal Oak
Distance from junction 8 miles
Follow signs to Bradfield from Junction 12 then Yattendon; or from Junction 13 follow signs to Hermitage then Yattendon
This lovely old country inn, with red brick, original tiled floors and oak beams, overlooks the village square, and serves noteworthy, locally sourced, seasonal food. You can eat outside under the vine-covered trellis or on the grass surrounded by cottage garden flower beds. There's also a smart walled beer garden and a gravel boules piste where you can introduce the kids to the French art of petanque.
• royaloakyattendon.co.uk

Junction 16

Lydiard Park
Distance from junction 3 miles
Follow A3102 towards Swindon, then B4553 and brown signs (for satnav, use "Hook Street")
You can tour this striking, 18th-century Palladian House or take sun in the tranquil Georgian walled garden (closed Mondays) with fragrant flowers, fruit trees and impressive topiary. For kids there's 260 acres of parkland with grand avenues, lakes and an icehouse. The modern play park has a dedicated area for toddlers and a treetop adventure course. Pick up snacks at the neighbouring Forest Café or organic ice-cream from the Ice Cream Park Parlour. The Coach House tearooms have an atmospheric setting in the restored stables and courtyard.
• lydiardpark.org.uk, park free, house & walled garden adult £4.70, child over five £2.30, family £12

Junction 23a

Caldicot Castle
Distance from junction 4 miles
Follow B4245 to Caldicot
This 55-acre wooded country park has an imposing well-preserved medieval castle (closed Mondays) in its middle. From the battlements there are great views of the River Nedern, which winds its way through the park. Threaten to lock the children in the chilling castle dungeon or scare them into submission with tales of the resident ghosts. Reward good behaviour with a visit to the play area. There are lots of picnic tables and barbecues to use, and a small cafe.
• caldicotcastle.co.uk, free (except on event days, check ahead)

Junction 28

Tredegar House
Distance from junction ½ mile
Follow signs off roundabout (A48 Newport)
This decadent, late 17th-century mansion witnessed the flamboyance and excess of the Morgan family until the last member sold up and moved to the south of France in the 1950s. The eccentric brood included the buccaneer Henry Morgan (of Captain Morgan's rum), a chap who liked to build large bird's nests to sit in and one who kept an alligator in his bathroom. The 90-acre estate has gardens, a splendid kitchen lined with copper pots, parkland, orchard and orangery. There's a play area, and the Brewhouse tearoom sells doggie treats.
• nationaltrust.org.uk/tredegar-house, park free (parking £2); house and garden, adult £7.20, child £3.60, family £18

Junction 38

Margam Country Park
Distance from junction ½ mile
Follow A48 towards Pyle
Roam 1,000 acres of countryside with a haunted Tudor castle – currently being restored after being gutted by a fire. Switch from road to track with the narrow-gauge railway that runs through the Grade I-listed gardens. There's a Wood Vibrations Trail – a musical trail featuring giant wooden instruments – and a farm trail with goats and Shetland ponies, plus bunnies to stroke and feed. Six- to 12-year-olds can burn up some energy on the castle-themed adventure playground, and younger ones will enjoy Fairytale Land, with its child-size storybook cottages. There are lots of picnic tables and a couple of cafes. A herd of deer that dates back to Norman times roams the park.
• margamcountrypark.co.uk, free, parking £4.50

Junction 43

Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall
Distance from junction 3.8 miles
Follow brown signs on the A465 toward Merthyr Tydfil
Feel the spray from the Dulais river tumbling over this dramatic fall, which has powered local industry – and continues to power this site – for centuries. Families can enjoy a multi-sensory experience with a Tin Detectives Trail, look at Europe's largest generating water wheel, and have a bite in the Old School House tearoom with its Victorian school paraphernalia.
• nationaltrust.org.uk/aberdulais-tinworks-and-waterfall, adult £4.80, child £2.40, family£12.00; no fee for visitor centre and tea room

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