Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask your favourite UK Motorway Service Station?

213 replies

Livelounge · 17/02/2018 19:41

Totally nerdy I know but I was on the M4 yesterday and stopped at Chievely and remembered the whole Gavin and Stacey debate about which one was best. That or Leigh Delaware.

I think they were all wrong and Membury is best.

But my favourite of all is Strensham on the M5 heading towards Worcester, only the North bound one though!

OP posts:
grannytomine · 17/02/2018 20:45

Gloucester. Lovely food, nice shop, clean loos, family loos which make a trip with children so much easier. I love their breakfasts.

raspberryrippleicecream · 17/02/2018 20:45

Another vote for Tebay.

And for best bit of motorway - Tebay Gorge and over Shap. Preferably on a clear day. I love the road and the sheep in the middle of the motorway lanes.

Lisajane2810 · 17/02/2018 20:48

i love cobham services! i know its weird but they even have a nandos there now as well as a lake, m and s and lots of food outlets. you can get a breakfast bap with brink for £3 ish. i go there way too much haha

Littlecaf · 17/02/2018 20:48

Once dated a guy who lived in Swansea, if I could get to Leigh Delamere by 7.30pm on a Friday, having left work in West London at 5, I was onto a winner.

I also like South Mimms, only because my Dad sings ‘South Mimms, South Mimms’ to the tune of Amazing Grace to emphasise it’s position in the service station charts

Grin
dontforgetbilly · 17/02/2018 20:48

I like Peterborough. Nothing fancy, but has a park (at the back so there's always spaces next to it) where I can chuck kids in whilst stretching the dogs legs Grin

MaggieFS · 17/02/2018 20:50

Haven't been there for at least 15 years but used to drive that way regularly and Tebay was always the winner.

Favourite bit of motorway is the A74(m) if that counts.

Littlecaf · 17/02/2018 20:51

The M40 is the most civilised motorway

Followed by the M11

OrlandaFuriosa · 17/02/2018 20:52

Tebay.

Fresh northern air, lake, ducks, house martins and swifts over the lake, superb farmers shop, decent portion sizes...

mygorgeousmilo · 17/02/2018 20:52

ShatnersBassoon

If I can't choose Gloucester because it's too obvious, I'll say Knutsford City Limits.

Thanks, thanks a lot. 😅 Now walking around like Tina Turner singing out KNUTSFORD CITY LIMITS! I can’t wait to go there now to properly use it.

GrumpyOldBagFace · 17/02/2018 20:55

DH shouted "Gloucester" before I'd even finished reading the thread title!

Sleepyblueocean · 17/02/2018 20:56

The one at Tebay has nice food but is always too busy for ds. Stafford north and Killington lake have nice views but our favourite is Rivington because it is always fairly quiet when we go in. The worst that we use is charnock Richard.

GrumpyOldBagFace · 17/02/2018 20:57

@puglife15 DH wants to know why you think Gloucester services would be full of Cotswold twats considering that's where they live!

He's very passionate about Gloucester services!!

GrumpyOldBagFace · 17/02/2018 20:58

Oooh the M5 at Avonmouth is a nice stretch!

OVienna · 17/02/2018 21:00

I am thinking of making a special trip to Tebay services - AIBU????

Awks · 17/02/2018 21:00

Tebay too. Though I quite like Tibshelf too, its always lovely and quiet :)

LidlAngel · 17/02/2018 21:01

Gloucester for the posh sausage rolls

Everytimeref · 17/02/2018 21:02

Tebay

Gloucester The Telly Bubby services as we call it!

soundsystem · 17/02/2018 21:03

Was coming on to say Tebay, but see I've been beaten to it by everyone!

BikeRunSki · 17/02/2018 21:04

Does anyone else really hate that section of M5 immediately south of Avonmouth? Where it is split level? I hate it, especially northbound, however often I do it.

noblegiraffe · 17/02/2018 21:04

How can Cobham be brand new and yet have that terrible roundabout near the petrol station? Haven't they figured out how to lay them out by now?

Peachyking000 · 17/02/2018 21:05

What’s the chain of service stations that there was in England in the 90’s? Began with an S I think.

The Applegreen ones in NI are great

ScreamingValenta · 17/02/2018 21:10

Exeter (M5) - it's where we stop on the way to Cornwall for our summer holiday. The holiday starts there! Hopefully the refurb will be complete next time we go, as it was full of building works last summer.

Worst one - Donnington nowhere to Park. Miles away from the motorway and rubbish.

TheColdDoesBotherMeAnyway · 17/02/2018 21:11

Welcome Break Peachy?

I also hate the M5 by Avonmouth, I hate how high it is! It’s always so busy too. And there are no decent services once you leave Wales, they are all dirty, smelly and have horrible food options. The M4 towards London is much better.

Does anyone remember Happy Eater? Like Little Chef but with yellow faces on the signs. I think there was one near Okehampton?

inkandstone · 17/02/2018 21:16

Gloucester for the lovely farm shops and dog walks.

The worst I've been to recently is Gordano ~ the most disgusting toilets I've ever encountered.

Pinkponiesrock · 17/02/2018 21:18

Tebay is lovely, the food is great. Annadale water has a better lake but just your regular service station food.

Although Tebay over egg the artisan theme a bit and it’s sooooo expensive!