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Revealed: The UK’s Best Motorway Service Station

If you’ve gone through the process of leasing a van for a longer journey you must make, you might feel the need to complete the whole journey in one go.

By Faye McCullaghPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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If you’ve gone through the process of leasing a van for a longer journey you must make, you might feel the need to complete the whole journey in one go. But everyone needs a break from driving on longer trips and Rule 91 of the Highway Code indicates that a 15-minute break every two hours is recommended. However, research from the RAC found that 99% of drivers are prepared to go for longer than 2 hours without taking a rest.

Taking a break on the road also gives you a chance to explore one of the 95 service stations that are available up and down the country. But with so many options, where should you stop on your way to your destination? And what do they offer to make them so appealing to drop in at?

In this article, we’ll go through the best and worst service stations in the UK and look at what makes the good so good. From there, we’ll look at what these stop-off points should offer to attract more motorists to make that break on their journey.

The best and the worst of services

To build this list, we’ve looked at infographics and data culminated by Brindley that uses reviews from TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and Motorway Services Online (MSO) to build a score out of five to find the best motorway service station, as well as results from a survey from Which? which breaks down the services using star ratings on their shop range, prices, cleanliness, and accessibility.

Within the top five of service stations that appear in both sets of data are Gloucester, Tebay, and Cairn Lodge. All three are owned by the Westmorland Family brand which puts an emphasis on using local produce to offer the best farm shops and kitchens for those motorists who want a more rustic experience when taking a break on the motorway.

Another stop that falls under a larger brand is Extra’s Beaconsfield Service Area on the M40, just west of the M25. Not only does it boast a wide range of noteworthy branded food such as McDonalds, Leon, and Nando’s, they also offer washroom facilities, as well as an Ibis hotel and a Shell fuel station. But the big attraction is a green space for both kids and adults alike, with a landscaped grounds, woodlands, and a play area to eat and drink outside.

Donington Park from Moto also appears consistently on the lists, offering accommodation and plenty of food and drink options to choose from.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are several services that are universally reviled as the worst. And none appear more consistently on lists of places to avoid than Bridgwater on the M5 in Somerset. Despite having a Burger King, Costa and Travelodge, the accessibility and cleanliness are major issues that make it an unpleasant experience to visit. It’s located off two roundabouts and once you arrive, parking is sparse with a split-level car park.

What makes a good service station?

The common trends for service stations with positive ratings tends to revolve around accessibility and options. Within the five best service stations they have a plethora of options that range from fast and reliable service to inviting sit-down restaurants.

Accessibility isn’t just about how many parking spots there are, but instead the range of facilities available regardless of what customers may need. A positive example (again!) is Westmorland services all being dog friendly within their buildings, with water bowls available at the main entrances. Similarly, it’s crucial for services to provide the option for overnight or longer periods of rest through having an onsite hotel or accommodation.

There are some things about service stations that cannot be changed. You can’t uproot it and move to a more scenic location, and not every brand wants one of their franchises to be in a service station. But keeping on top of cleanliness is an important and easily manageable aspect to keep service stations attractive and welcoming.

Source

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-drivers-and-motorcyclists-89-to-102

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/rac-research-reveals-safety-risk-how-long-do-you-drive-without-stopping/

https://motorwayservices.uk/How_many

https://www.brindley.co.uk/news/uks-best-worst-motorway-services-ranked-with-honest-reviews/

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/motorway-service-stations/article/best-and-worst-motorway-service-stations-aw3Ww9F9pEIw

https://gloucesterservices.com/

https://www.tebayservices.com/

https://cairnlodgeservices.com/

https://westmorlandfamily.com/

https://extraservices.co.uk/locations/beaconsfield-services/?cn-reloaded=1

https://www.moto-way.com/services/donington-park/

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