Closer to your sister than you on the A14 -
The Pheasant at Keyston used to be a great pub (I haven't been for 18 months or so). It's about 30 minutes for the M6/M1 junction but well worth the mileage.
There is a private grass
airfield nearby and it's a great place to walk with dogs, if you have them with you. You can sit outside the pub with them too, if nothing has changed...
Another option is a pub I used to go to when I worked nearby. I'd know it if I was there, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was called!! See both of these nr to J2 M6.
The Rose & Castle, Ansty and
http://theshiltonarms.co.uk/index.phpHope this helps :)