In your opinion, what is your favourite service station?
Posted by PollutionJabber4@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 159 comments
I drive on the motorway alot and just wanted to know what you guys thought was the best service stations?
chefshoes@reddit
growing up, aust services as you could walk up to the cliff and look at the original severn bridge.
now..
hilton park as its no fuss getting off and on the motorway, massive car park and enough there to get you in and out in minutes.
places like gordano or frankley where you need to be driving a go kart to negotiate the bloody place
JeffSergeant@reddit
Cairn Lodge on the M74; especially in comparison to Abington.
Historical_Project86@reddit
There's a nice one on the M5, with a farm shop or something. It's rather pleasant. I guess it's Gloucester services, from what others have written.
Alix_T_1865@reddit
yeah that’s the one
Jlaw118@reddit
Gloucester Services.
Always make a stop there on the way to Cornwall simply for the freshness of the food available to buy at the farm shop and restaurant compared to most of the others on route just being the same old greasy fast food joints
JoPOWz@reddit
Interesting to me that currently Tebay and Gloucester are the top two, would’ve been my picks too - and I believe they’re owned by the same family.
terryjuicelawson@reddit
People say it is expensive but compared to other services, it is pretty comparable if you want a snack or a meal or a drink. You actually feel you are getting something for your money then rather than just something you'd get in Tesco but triple the price.
Intrepid_Bearz@reddit
Their honey mustard sausage pots alone are worth the visit 🤤
chris552393@reddit
I live in Bath and travel to Yorkshire alot.
Gloucester services is insanely good but its too close to stop when leaving and too close to home when returning so never seem to stop there anymore. First world problems.
Jeggasyn@reddit
Have you considered moving to a more convenient location to fix this problem?
Absentmined42@reddit
I live in South Glos and have to drive to Birmingham regularly. I’m only two junctions down the M5 from Gloucester Services and I always stop on my way back!
melonator11145@reddit
I live about 5 miles from Gloucester services. I didn't go for years because there was no point.
OkSun8521@reddit
It's literally the exact opposite of what I want from a service station.
Scorpiodancer123@reddit
This one without a doubt. Expensive. But absolute top quality and a a welcome change from the usual service station offering.
LouTheOM@reddit
just gotta take out a mortgage at the checkout.
pgnlzbth@reddit
Gloucester is top tier
OkSun8521@reddit
It's literally the worst service station.
pgnlzbth@reddit
What?! In what way, exactly? If you’re looking got big brands or fast food then yes, I guess it is.
somewhat-similar@reddit
The correct answer.
cloakandagger123@reddit
Fleet or Gloucester
gettin-swole@reddit
This is like a topic from “mid morning matters”
Abaqueues@reddit
Favourite condiment, go.
Tuscan777@reddit
Gravy
having_an_accident@reddit
That’s not a condiment it’s a hot sauce
Tuscan777@reddit
Bisto then.
EUskeptik@reddit
Topic was my favourite chocolate bar. They don’t make it any more. 😢
Plain chocolate Bounty was my second favourite. Also gone. 😢
Jack1ngton@reddit
I'm pretty sure it is a topic from mid morning matters
StiffAssedBrit@reddit
Donington services near East Midlands Airport. Not the easiest to access from the M1, but it has some really nice grounds out the back, with some good views. It was always our lunch stop on our family holiday trips to the south coast to catch a ferry to France.
mawarup@reddit
I always wonder what sort of hell it is waking up in one of those hotel rooms with a window overlooking the food court in there. I do like the services though!
StiffAssedBrit@reddit
Oh yes. I'd forgotten about that. Yeah. Some nice countryside there and your bedroom view is a Greggs.
EUskeptik@reddit
Tebay Services on the M6 in Cumbria. Family owned, excellent wholesome food, superb shop and a truly wonderful hotel.
The same family owns Gloucester Services on the M5 but that’s not a route I use often.
-##-
morph9494@reddit
Fleet services
MoonShineWashingLine@reddit
Tebay. Love the ducks.
audigex@reddit
The only problem with Tebay is that I can't buy a normal Coca Cola or Pepsi
I get it, they want to be different and stock stuff from smaller brands, farm-shop style... but I'm sorry, those suppliers make shit coke knockoffs and I need caffeine on my long journey. Just let me buy a proper fucking coke, please
That and the fact it's absolutely rammed in summer and you genuinely can't always get a parking space, which is nuts for a service station
MoonShineWashingLine@reddit
I don't drink stuff like that so the variety is perfect for me. Never had an issue with parking or anything. Plenty of other services to get a standard coke from anyway.
Smeeble09@reddit
Never been but been told we're stopping there on the way to Scotland as its nice.
TrousersTrousers@reddit
They sell black pudding Cumberland sausages that are to die for
AlternativeAd1984@reddit
Tebay for sure, but it’s always jam packed whenever we stop there now. The sausage rolls are great but it’s not worth it 😂
festering_knacker@reddit
Fiver for a sausage roll? Nah.
Southwaite all the way
MoonShineWashingLine@reddit
They're all the same price wise these days. Even a packet of ready salted at a Moto is about £2.50.
West_Yorkshire@reddit
They have the best coffee in the world.
speedythoughts@reddit
For some reason I really dislike Tebay services. Not sure why! I had always thought this then saw lots of posts about how it is a favourite, which shocked me.
WhatsThePlanPhil95@reddit
I live near an M&S one, the fuel is from BP I think, but anyway you'd think that the M&S food there would be no different to high street M&S Food - dude it's totally different, it was like different food
Jeggasyn@reddit
Maybe because it was SO expensive, like the next tier of expensive, that it changed your tastebuds
-Rhymenocerous-@reddit
None of them.
Theyre rotten dirty places.
Source: I used to work nationwide cleaning a lot of service stations grease extract ducting and im telling you now theyre often heavily infested with rats.
Colman91@reddit
Oh so you’ve been to every service station across the country I assume?
-Rhymenocerous-@reddit
Pretty much mate i worked nationwide for 10 years doing that job.
kkir@reddit
Tebay is always a firm favourite but stopped by Beaconsfield Services off M40... It was like a nightclub of service stations!
Jeggasyn@reddit
I mean... A furkin Wetherspoons at a service station is top notch nightlife vibes.
VisitWinchester@reddit
Beaconsfield and it’s not close. It has literally everything
intergalacticscooter@reddit
Apart from phone signal. Its a complete blacksmith for my network provider. I always used to go there but stop at Oxford services instead now as its quite and I can check my phone while I eat
Jeggasyn@reddit
Have you considered changing your service provider to fix this problem
Incognito-DeVito@reddit
Yes. Obviously Tebay and Gloucester are all fancy and that, but Beaconsfield has everything I actually want.
No-Extension-2378@reddit
Not Tebay.
Was desperate for a can of fizzy pop but all they had was artisan yoghurt and hand reared lamb
audigex@reddit
I've just said the exact same thing on another commen. I'm on a long journey, I just need a coke or pepsi for caffeine.
I don't want some random unknown-brand artisan cola which tastes like absolute shit
I don't mind buying some bougoisie crisps and their pies etc are really good... but these Rola Cola brands are fucking awful, please just let me buy a real coke or pepsi
SubTeamLeader@reddit
Indeed. Every bit as much of a grift as all the rest, but sponsored by the Guardian Lifestyle section.
OkSun8521@reddit
I am a Guardian subscriber. I think Tebay is absolutely shit.
SmartPriceCola@reddit
I’d genuinely spend a night at Tebay services as a weekend getaway
AdhesivenessNo9878@reddit
As someone from NI and has driven quite a lot across England and Scotland, all I can say is you are all very deprived of Applegreen.
PetitePlayToyy@reddit
welcome break is the best
JeffTheGoliath@reddit
On actual motorways - Warwick... when I have to drive home thats my favourite place to stop - it means I am not too far from home and that the motorways are done.
But my favourite is Sutton Scotney (A34). It feels like a different world that I have stepped out of time.
Extension_Pickle_581@reddit
Gloucester Services. Whenever we travel down to Cornwall we always stop by there. It’s so nice and clean and the food is really good. On a sunny day sitting outside next to the pond is so nice.
WhiteDiamondK@reddit
Cobham on the M25. It has EVERYTHING. Also partial to Cherwell Valley although the access roads and car park desperately need resurfacing.
WhiteDiamondK@reddit
Gloucester and Tebay will always lead the comments here because they dress up as little country parks and feel cosy. Whenever I’m travelling to Devon/Cornwall for holidays I always stop off there.
But I also drive a lot for work and wouldn’t stop at either of those services. When I’m in work mode I need Greggs and an M&S. I don’t need a hand-filled venison pie and elderflower spritz that cost £30.
ydktbh@reddit
Skelton Lake cos it has a GDK now
Sc0ttiShDUdE@reddit
Aberdeen South end has a great glory hole, highly recommended!!
having_an_accident@reddit
M25 Cobham eastbound
YarnPenguin@reddit
The new M1 one in Rotherham. Always a pistol before gigs in Leeds.
Koda614@reddit
Annandale - Not for the service station itself but for the resident geese!
Able-Necessary2956@reddit
Gloucester is the GOAT. Taunton has a cosy feel. Avoid Bridgewater at all costs (yup, I’m on the M5 a lot).
Additional-Nobody352@reddit
Leeds Skelton Lakes on the M1
MoonShineWashingLine@reddit
Is that the one where everything is sort of in a circle? We had good noodles there.
sharkkallis@reddit
Pleasantly surprised by this when we stopped there. Miles better than Hartshead Moor.
gemmanotwithaj@reddit
M4 Chieveley
Sailor747@reddit
They are literally the worst. Not even an argument
gemmanotwithaj@reddit
Not for me. Got a Greggs and tons of circling red kites
JanCueElQi@reddit
Everyone's going to say Gloucester or Tebay but in terms of sheer practicality, facilities and ease of access, it's Tibshelf. Killington Lake is also nice.
nogeologyhere@reddit
I was trapped in the Days Inn for a night at Killington Lake after a breakdown and it was a horrible experience, so I'm personally totally against that place
Beginning-Cow-6682@reddit
Killington Lake is a good shout
SuperExstatic@reddit
Clacket lane
stellactatwat@reddit
Warwick
Bossman_Mike@reddit
Rugby. Newly opened in 2021, very clean, good car park layout, excellent choice of shops and eateries.
Inevitable-Yard6567@reddit
I always liked Fleet Services for all the trees
MrAverageWang@reddit
was waiting for someone to shout out my tiny town :))
Fatbloke-66@reddit
To me, it means you're heading west on holiday
ouzo84@reddit
And the pizza express.
KingKhram@reddit
It's great for a walk in the woods
Zealousideal_Fold_60@reddit
Agree, its the best
FlagVenueIslander@reddit
I only ever go to fleet on a coach trip, and you need your hiking boots to get to the coach park!
Inevitable-Yard6567@reddit
Trees and exercise 😆
Alert_Mine7067@reddit
I spent a lot of time on the M6, Preston was my favourite. That said, I'm from Northern Ireland and we have Applegreen which I can't really complain about, they're all fit for purpose and not overly expensive than the English services, but still inferior to the English motorway services.
I-Am-The-Warlus@reddit
Cambridge Services
hoganpaul@reddit
Leicester Forest East. It's comfortingly shite. You can get shit coffee and overpriced petrol (overpriced everything tbh)
Douiret@reddit
And you can eat a fry up sitting on top of a motorway! What's not to love?
DoctorOctagonapus@reddit
I miss the cafe it used to have before they turned it into yet another Starbucks.
PomPomBumblebee@reddit
There's also like 9 ways to get Starbucks there..I'm not even kidding!
A machine in each WHS/ TSJ (2) a machine in at least another shop on each side (2), a Starbucks in the middle (1), a Starbucks drive through on either side (2) and am machine in each petrol station (2)
It's crazy. I'm not sure which service station has the most but Ive been to LFE enough to know it has at least 8-9
musicallymotivated93@reddit
Tamworth. Purely because that's the pre-Bloodstock meeting point.
Thestolenone@reddit
I've heard good things about Tamworth, it seems to be very popular with people who travel the country going to animal shows.
Pedantichrist@reddit
Kings Sedgemoor Drain.
SteelSparks@reddit
Ashby de la zouch has a drive-thru Greggs….
Cold-Society3325@reddit
Beaconsfield. Tapori Indian Street Food. Yum.
Great for food generally.
CatsChat@reddit
I have a soft spot for Hopwood Park on the M42. Specifically the upstairs Starbucks, which has an amazing floor to ceiling window looking out int the woods. Oddly peaceful for a motorway services.
There’s now about 5 places there that you can get Starbucks, so it always reminds me of Taco Bell in Demolition Man!
TSC-99@reddit
Leeds Skelton Lake
D1789@reddit
In Sandbach or Stafford as it means I’m nearly home.
The absolute worst is Keele, as it means I’ve missed my junction.
InviteAromatic6124@reddit
I stop at Sandbach services every time I drive back to see my parents
remy-xyz@reddit
Oxford services. Clean toilets, nice outside space, ideal distance between my part of the north and the part of London I often visit. Also as I found out the weekend gone, having the choice of the M40 or A40 can be handy if there's bad traffic.
kroblues@reddit
Love the actual services bit, but it’s always a last resort stop for me as it’s not had the upgrade to its EV charging so it’s not reliable for me.
Which is annoying as I drive 150ish miles to near that services every 6 weeks or so and wouldn’t mind being able to charge there!
remy-xyz@reddit
Ah that's a shame. Hopefully they do it soon - seemed like a well used stopping point. How long do you have to wait for an EV to charge?
kroblues@reddit
On the new Gridserve ones that are at pretty much every services you’re looking at about 30-45 minutes. Basically by the time you’ve gone in, used the loo and had some food you’re pretty much ready to go.
I don’t charge loads as we have a home charger but it’s not massively inconvenient as I’d be stopping for a break anyway.
remy-xyz@reddit
Ah that's quicker than expected.
BobBobBobBobBobDave@reddit
Yeah, it is well located if you are travelling that sort of route. When I lived in London and my parents came down to visit from the Midlands, they always stopped at Oxford Services for a coffee and a cake.
horrible_goose_@reddit
Can't help but love Tebay. Just discovered Rheged, but not sure if that's technically a service station.
I have an irrational dislike of both Keele and Toddington
PingouinFluffy@reddit
I like Beaconsfield, not because its great but because it means I am almost home.
Belle_TainSummer@reddit
Johnstonebridge/Annandale Water.
Not because it is particularly good, but it means I am almost home.
Plus_Pangolin_8924@reddit
All the geese though!! Well worth the stop for those.
jungleddd@reddit
Obviously the owners of Tebay, Gloucester, and Cairn Lodge do make lovely services by they are really pricey.
My shout would be Annandale Water a Roadchef on the M74. It’s actually really nice there.
felineunderling@reddit
Donnington. The hotel design on the inside is nice and there are picnic tables by a little pond.
BeanOnAJourney@reddit
I don't know that it's the best but it's the one that i hold dear to my heart because it's the first we would stop at whenever we were on our way for a family holiday and reminds me of my late dad: Michaelwood on the M5 northbound.
cenjui@reddit
Tebay north, and the m6 toll services.
Tebay north has nice winegums. M6 toll is exactly my bladder distance from Glasgow to Reading.
Gixxer1000k@reddit
Oxford. I like watching the fish.
CoffeeandaTwix@reddit
Killington Lakes because everyone else is wanking off over artisan whatever it is at Tebay leaving plenty of room to enjoy my maccies with a stunning view down the road.
Background-Wall-2647@reddit
Annandale water services.
Johnstonebridge.
Beautiful views.
Always visit that 1 when I’m going to Scotland.
Dangerous_Pepper1024@reddit
Tebay services, the food is amazing both in the cafe and the deli
Due-Tough2038@reddit
Hopwood
Cozy
-usernamewitheld-@reddit
Cartgate Lodge off the a303.
Western-Baker3479@reddit
Hopwood, Annandale or Gloucester
Zealousideal_Fold_60@reddit
For questions like this is the reason reddit exists.
Due-Tough2038@reddit
Michaelwood
DollySheep32@reddit
Any one that has a Burger King.
draxcs@reddit
As someone that drives to Sheffield and Nottingham from Kent often, Birchanger is the perfect place for a toilet and coffee break once you're through the tunnel and off the M25.
Worst services I've seen recently is the M6 Toll... great time people watching though.
fruoel@reddit
Norton Canes (M6 toll)
QuackersMcDackers55@reddit
Exeter isn't too shabby, also means am halfway there to Cornwall!
shamone_mofo@reddit
Hell of a bastard to get to off the motorway .I was pulling my hair out with the crazy roundabouts and traffic lights .
QuackersMcDackers55@reddit
Yes, though that's why it's so rewarding when you make it into the carpark 😂
zolo9@reddit
I like a good Welcome Break that has plenty of car chargers
kunstlich@reddit
Annandale Water services on the M74, because it has nice scenery.
Otherwise its the Tesco Carlisle Junction 43, because I can drive from London to Aberdeen in one stint stopping for fuel and a slash there.
December126@reddit
Birchanger Services. I don't drive and I live in Scotland but just saying it because Robbie Knox from Jaack Mate's Happy Hour has mentioned it a few times 🇳🇺
BlaMenck@reddit
Tebay no competition. The because they sell The Toffee Shop fudge.
Ill_Refrigerator_593@reddit
Keele
miemcc@reddit
Tebay, nothing else like it.
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Tebay and Cairn Lodge are both excellent if expensive. I also like Rugby - it is slightly off the road, nice sitting area, nice lay-out and just more pleasant than Corby or Watford Gap.
I also have a liking for Todhills (M6) - it is just a garage and a car park with small grass area but staff are lovely and it is very quick to refuel without the hassle of a service station.
Annadale service station is interesting if travelling latish as quite often you are sharing with petrol station forecourt with a lot of geese.
lammy82@reddit
One’s favourite service station is not actually a matter of opinion though.
Mysterious_County154@reddit
Any that aren't Gloucester or Tebay
Stupid overpriced farm shops
Astonednerd@reddit
I love how the top 3 comments for me were Tebay, Gloucester, then this
Mysterious_County154@reddit
If I'm travelling I just want something cheap and familiar like McDonald's
Not a £7 bacon roll I've never had before with no idea if it will upset my stomach or something
Affectionate_Ad6864@reddit
Cobham services is pretty special
New_Cap3283@reddit
Is this the secret Reddit account of a character from Gavin and Stacey?
ZaharaWiggum@reddit
Lancaster services. I won a £100 Amazon voucher from using their WiFi.
Puzzleheaded-Key2212@reddit
Warwick Services i always stop with my dad on my way down to Gaydon
Informal-Intern-8672@reddit
Leeds Skelton Lake
turboRock@reddit
Tebay or Gloucester
Whocanitbe_@reddit
Rugby
BobBobBobBobBobDave@reddit
Beaconsfield sprang to mind. Good outdoor area and kids playground. Lots of food choices. Generally clean and tidy.
purple_yui@reddit
I was going to say this too. We always stop there if we're going that way.
ColonelCustard__@reddit
Gloucester or Tebay. End of debate.
cryptowi@reddit
Tebay is lovely, was there recently
gemmajenkins2890@reddit
Gordano.
Or if using the 303, Cartgate Lodge
Jack1ngton@reddit
Call me crazy, I like a bit of gordano
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