Best UK service stations

A closer look at the top three

1. Gloucester Services

A quick look at this service station located on the M5 soon proves why it’s secured top spot in our list. Set in a modern building that perfectly blends into its surrounding greenery, Gloucester Services is a uniquely picturesque spot to stop and recharge. But this service station goes one step further when it comes to celebrating the local area.

A local service station

In a move more expected of a leading restaurant than your standard motorway pit-stop, this service station has its own team of cooks making from-scratch favourites from locally-sourced ingredients. Even the coffee is roasted in neighbouring Bristol by Extract Coffee who support their growers. Over 100 producers from the surrounding 30 miles supply the Farm shop with everything from fresh sea food and cheese to natural skincare. Plus, it’s all been given the royal seal of approval, having been opened by The Prince of Wales in 2015. With an average review score of 4.5/5, customers are particularly impressed with the uniqueness of the station and the quality of the food.

Plenty of parking

All that’s before we even get to the features that drivers really need from their service stations, and Gloucester Services remains on top. Boasting 690 parking spaces, it’s one of the most plentiful parking options of all 20 locations, and for electric vehicle owners, there are 19 chargers available. A kiddies play area can also be used by little ones needing to stretch their legs. The number of food outlets may be low at only two, but as previously mentioned, this is definitely an elevated dining option compared to your usual service station fare, and its entry as the first (and only) service station in The Good Food Guide proves it.

2. Tebay Services

A second entry for the Westmorland Family (who also own top-spot Gloucester Services), Tebay Services was the first family-owned motorway service area in the UK, opening on the M6 back in 1972. Just as with Gloucester Services, Tebay Services is about elevating and celebrating the local community, all while making sure visitors are well-fed as per its tagline ‘Proper Food on the motorway’.

Drive into deliciousness

Just as with Gloucester Services, Tebay Services prides itself on cooking up delicious food from scratch while working with 70 local producers located no more than 30 miles away. You can pick up some of these carefully sourced treats for yourself in the Farm Shop, offering everything from cheese to quality meat. In a more recent development, Tebay Services announced a collaboration with Growing Well, a mental health charity and organic farm to create its very own market garden where people living with mental health struggles can come and volunteer under the guidance of support staff, helping them work towards their goals. The veg grown goes straight to the service station’s kitchen, so that salad you order is not only good for you, it’s doing good, too.

Charge and connect

Tebay Services boasts 280 car parking spaces, as well as 38 electric vehicle chargers. There’s also free Wi-fi throughout the building, dog walking areas and a picnic area complete with pond and resident ducks, perfect for little ones to spot a new feathered friend. There’s also a filling station with its own shop, stocking the same freshly made local treats.

3. Moto Stafford Northbound     

One of a pair of service stations flanking the M6, Moto Stafford Northbound has consistently been highly rated by customers, with 60% of them walking away happy with the facilities on offer. This puts it in the top five service stations for customer satisfaction, with only the top two gaining a score above 70%. The service station offers all the usual facilities, plus a generous range of a dozen food outlets including M&S, Greggs, and Pret. For late evening arrivals, KFC (10pm), Burger King (11pm), and Cho Zen (9pm) all close late, while Costa and WHSmith are open 24 hours.

Park and play or stay

Moto Stafford has a hotel on-site, ideal for those who want to rest up on a long journey, and for a reasonable price. Parking is provided with 305 spaces and 14 electric vehicle chargers available, too. Free Wi-fi is also provided throughout the site and play areas are available both inside and outside to keep little ones entertained whatever the weather. If the elements are on your side, though, an outside area with duck pond is a great place to enjoy a moment to yourself before getting back behind the wheel.

Service Stations with the best parking

While great food and a picturesque outside area are lovely extras to any service station stop, the most important feature for any driver is making sure you can actually find space to stop! Below are the top 10 service stations in terms of amount of parking and the electric vehicle chargers available.