We're doing exactly the same travelling as you this year (we normally go Rosyth-Zeebrugge) so that we can take in Legoland on the way home. Our kids are slightly younger than yours so we ruled out Alton Towers for another few years. There's Cadbury World near Birmingham. Hubbie looked at Chessington World of Adventure but reviews I saw suggested that it was more geared at kids of 7ish and up.

Drayton Manor is fab

we had a day out there a few months ago for my sons bday

good for all ages IMO some good larger rides / roller coasters,rides for small children water rides etc and a zoo which was nice

our sons aged 5 and 11 really enjoyed it

http://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/

Not overly glamorous maybe, but how about taking one break at Milton Keynes. You could go to Gullivers for a day (theme park aimed at children)which would certainly suit the younger kids and I think an 11 year old would still enjoy it (check out their website) Plenty of choice as far as accomodation goes, loads of places to eat and the xscape building as well where there is the dry ski slope, cinema etc. Not too far away you also have Woburn Safari park which is a great day out if the weather is good.

Are you east or west scotland? For a stop further North you could always check out Blackpool. Or if you are heading East then we have always broken the journey at Newcastle when going to see family in Edinburgh. Although not halfway, the hardest part of the journey is Newcastle going North so have always found the metro centre a good place to stretch our legs. Admittedly haven't tried spending the day there!!

Pam

Our grandkids 5 & 7 love animals. We took them to Longleat last year and we've just taken them to the WEst Midlands Safari Park over Whitsun. They had a brilliant time at both places and so did we

What about Flamingoland theme park and zoo in North Yorkshire. Absolutely brll place.

South Lakes animal park is great if you are heading up the M6 I am a friend and go regularly ! about 45 mins from motorway and the rest of the Lakes, Beatrix Potter etc any info please ask

Longleat is great
http://www.longleat.co.uk/

Thank you all for taking the time to help me out. There are loads of great ideas. We have been to Flamingoland a couple of years in a row an it was fab, thanks. We are going to look for accommodation around the places you have mentioned and work something out from there. You never know, we may be able to fit in a couple of stops and keep everyone happy. Thanks once again

If you stop near Newcastle you could try Beamish North of England Open Air museum, think they'd enjoy it more than the Metrocentre.

We have just driven back to the north east from Devon. Like you we wanted to break the journey up. We chose to stay at the Alton Towers Hotel we had a really good time see my review on Trip Advisor and used the Cariba Creek Waterpark.

Tip i paid 92.00 for a family room and about 22.00 for the water park using a discount code which is freely available on a certain auction site which is about 50% off.