Easter guide to 2 of the busiest highways

With this year’s Easter weekend just around the corner, many people are preparing for long drives to the coast and national parks.

More than 13 million drivers will be embarking on leisure journeys by car this Easter weekend. With engineering work affecting all parts of the rail network, there is no doubt that our motorways will be packed with people and cars.

Thankfully, there is a way to ease the painful experience of bad drivers and slow traffic. Plan your route carefully and you can make short trips to a luxury home or a delicious farm shop lunch. How about a dip in an open-air pool or a trip to a sculpture park? Here, we’ve rounded up the best attractions and places to eat and drink near the UK’s busiest motorways. For more advice on avoiding Easter travel chaos, read this guide.

The M1: gateway to Yorkshire

The M1 can be relentless, so take a break and rejuvenate with a stroll around Hardwick Manor in Derbyshire, just a few miles from Junction 29. It’s one of the best-preserved Elizabethan houses in England, with majestic glass walls and pretty walled gardens. Some trivia to impress other passengers: the hall was the setting for Malfoy Manor in the Harry Potter films. Further north, stop at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to admire the artwork. You’ll find works by Barbara Hepworth and Ai Weiwei just a mile from Junction 38 in Wakefield.

M6: Gateway to the Lakes

While chugging (or crawling) along the M6, take a break by visiting Sizergh Castle in Cumbria. With its medieval origins and Elizabethan extensions, this hodgepodge of historic houses with its jagged walls and beautifully wood-panelled interiors is something to behold. The 1,500-acre estate is surrounded by walks to stretch your legs and has a modern café.