As part of my big move from the frozen north to the tropical south I plan to drive from Aberdeen to Exeter. As it’s a fair old drive and I’ll be doing it at New Year I’m planning a more leisurely trip with an overnight stop about halfway (so maybe Manchester). The current plan is a Travelodge or someone at a motorway services but I thought it with asking do recommendations – any ideas?

There’s a big travelodge at Lymm services on the M6

There’s a place in the Ribble Valley that’s nice. 10 mins or so off the M6. Not too expensive either:

http://www.stanleyhouse.co.uk

Good choice btw, lived in Exeter for 3 years and loved every second of it.

Depends on your budget, we usually go cheap and cheerful and use the travel inn on the northern outskirts of Lancaster and flop into the pool etc to relax.

I stop at one of the Premier Inns near Stafford (Hurricane or spitfire way) just off M6 – friendly and happy to store MTB in laundry room or meeting rooms.