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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:
MuddlingMackem · 17/02/2018 23:56

We only ever seem to use three services, Trowell and southbound Killington Lake are the main ones, plus occasionally Tibshelf. They're all decent, and Killington does have lovely views although we don't really stop there long enough to appreciate them.

Someday I really need to visit Newport Pagnell, just because 'Blake's Junction 7' was filmed there. Grin

Notavictimbutasurvivor · 17/02/2018 23:56

Also if you visit any Roadchef service station, go onto their website and quote the code on the first page and get £1 off each hot drink. Sometimes you get free muffins

RunYouJuiceBitch · 18/02/2018 00:03

I like Strensham, and partial to Beaconsfield.

I don't like Taunton Deane northbound as my car was subject to a break-in attempt there. I was travelling alone at midnight and came out to find two guys in a van fiddling with the car. Shock

Eddierussett · 18/02/2018 00:09

Oxford services now have a pizza express which makes a nice change. Also a waitrose. So probably my favourite.

Go to Beaconsfield a lot so have a soft spot for it but never realised it had a lake!

Tottyandmarchpane1 · 18/02/2018 00:12

Leicester where I have a sleep on the way up north

BulletWithABun · 18/02/2018 00:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VetOnCall · 18/02/2018 00:15

Tebay and Gloucester are both good. I used to drive past Beaconsfield on the M40 all the time and I think they're the best non farm shop services by far. Now my local one is Exeter and it's a huge let down in comparison.

Not a motorway but the Cornwall services on the A30 are pretty good, although I usually end up straying into the Saltrock concession.

Weedsnseeds1 · 18/02/2018 00:19

Tebay or Gloucester for me too.
It's not more expensive than anywhere else on a motorway, IMO, just nicer for the same exorbitant price!
We still have a long way to go to match French service stations though.

FellOutOfBed2wice · 18/02/2018 00:26

Another vote for South Mimms. DH and I specifically went to Chievely because of Gavin and Stacey (I mean, we were passing, we didn’t just go there from home) and didn’t think much of it. Also went to Newport Pagnell especially when we were over that way just so I could tag myself there and say I had lost my bag. Enjoyed the joke but the services themselves weren’t up to much.

Peregrina · 18/02/2018 00:32

Most unpleasant to me is Hilton Park. We always press on to Stafford to stop unless someone is desperate for the loo, when it's a case of needs must.

honeyroar · 18/02/2018 01:03

The shops are good at Hilton Park, but the loos reek!

JustBeingJobless · 18/02/2018 02:04

Will add to the multitude of people saying Tebay and Gloucester services. I’ll go out of my way to go to those!

sabs22 · 18/02/2018 02:10

Teabay, no discussion needed!

Somtamthai · 18/02/2018 02:21

Gretna Green, can do a bit of shopping some lovely sights.

Tebay is good for the views and the farm shop.

Annandale has great views and good for dogs.

Any with an M+S or Starbucks. :) will do tho.

sandgrown · 18/02/2018 02:28

Tebay and the one on the M6 toll rd but my absolute favourite is Hartshead Moor. After my 21st birthday party many years ago (when clubs shut at 2am) we headed to Hartshead and watched the sun come up with chips and a Rombouts coffee. The height of sophisticationGrin

ShackUp · 18/02/2018 05:56

Leigh Delamere or the new one at Gloucester.

Worst? Bridgewater aka Divorce Central

blackchina · 18/02/2018 07:15

Tibshelf Derbyshire, and Gloucester are nice, but I agree with several of the posters that Killington is lovely. Up on the M6 not far from Kendal.

redfairy · 18/02/2018 07:32

Gordanos. Not remarkable but sort of marks the start of holiday territory going into the South West. This is where I get my holiday groove on!

redfairy · 18/02/2018 07:34

I always think about Marie Wilkes on the M50 too.

HisBetterHalf · 18/02/2018 08:05

Tebay! They do the best pies ever and the lake is lovely on a sunny day

speakout · 18/02/2018 08:06

Another one for Tebay on the M6.

FuckyDucky · 18/02/2018 08:11

Beaconsfield services is walking distance from my house so I’ll have to say that one. Good play area, sofas to sit on, loads of food choices and can pick up some milk from M&S to take home.
Also we sat next to Claire from Steps in there not so long ago so it’s obviously the number one destination for A-list celebs.

Dozer · 18/02/2018 08:19

I’m drawn to the ones with seating and food outlets on a bridge over the motorway: watching the traffic below is a strange feeling.

Leicester Forest is my favourite: memories of school and family trips and still a frequent stop.

Toddlerteaplease · 18/02/2018 08:31

Norton Caines on the M6 toll for me. I will drive out there to meet a friend if he's going south.

FudgeyCookie · 18/02/2018 08:35

Strensham is most definitely my fav! More for the memories then the actual place. I used to travel a lot on a coach from Exeter (sport purposes!) And Strensham was always the place we stopped - both going north and going south!

We stayed in Worcester at christmas and I made DP drive to Strensham south so I could get some soothers.. thats how much I like it.