To ask for your favourite service stations?

[holidaypasta]

Driving from Cambridge up to Edinburgh in a few weeks time, with 2 small ones. Where can we stop off for milk, nappy changes , petrol ? We have National Trust cards and are happy to do a short detour if needed.

Tebay is fab. I like the outlet village at Gretna as well for a bit of a longer stop. It used to have a soft play - not sure if it's still there or not cos my DC are a bit old for it now but there's a nice outside playground.

*Wetherby, not blooming Weather!!

The National Trust have a page about places near motorways that you can stop off here. We stopped at Hardwick Hall off the M1 recently, it was lovely.

Tebay is hands down the best services in the country!

Killington Lake is one of my faves going south. And the one with the Farmshop!
I also like Oxford Services, plenty of food outlets!

canalsidecraftcentre.co.uk/ always used to be lovely too. No reason to think it isn't still but it's a long time since I've been.

The M6 Tebay gets incredibly busy now that everyone has discovered it though. We pulled in there a coup,e of weeks back but it was so full we decided not to bother stopping

I’ve never been to Tebay and live nowhere near, but I feel like I’m missing out now!

The services on the M6 toll are quite spacious and have a Leon.

Tebay is lovely but Killington Lake, one south of Tebay on the southbound carriageway is beautiful. It's basic - got a maccies, Costa and either waitrose or M&s but the views are lovely. And there's rabbits and swallows/swifts near the lake.

I like Tebay for the family toilet rooms - a change bench, and a big and little toilet in the same room. Food is eye-wateringly expensive though, we always do picnics.

After Gibside (mentioned by PP) there's not much on the A1 till just after Berwick upon Tweed where there's a Morrison's just next to the A1. Are you going on the Edinburgh by Pass? I drove from Newcastle to Edinburgh airport today, did it a fortnight ago also, and both times it was nose to tail and really slowed me down. One on the by pass there's an IKEA not far off so this might be a good pit stop (for candles and other shite!)

Tebay is amazing

We always used to stop at Anwick on the way up to Scotland as kids the castle isn't national trust though

Definitely Tebay!

But if you're going from Cambridge to Edinburgh, Tebay is a massive detour! It's on the M6.

OP, I know you didn't ask for travel advice, but you can fly Stansted to Edinburgh very cheaply and it only takes 45 minutes. No services needed!

What’s so good about Tebay?! Never been. Other than if it’s McDonalds or BK and whether there’s an M&S, I thought they were much of a muchness but this live for tebay has got me wondering!

Oh non DH has vetoed Tebay as it's not on the route :(

What is the route OP?

Not where your going but Gloucester have a lovely service station- in fact i just googled it & found it’s owned by the same people that own Tebay one! & they have others- google Gloucester service station and on their website there’s a list.

This is them www.westmorlandfamily.com/awards

@Caspiana Tebay is not like all others, it's a lovely farm shop with a cafe that sells proper nice meals and cake, with a beautiful view of the countryside.

A few weeks ago I discovered Mainsgill Farm Shop ... on A66 , about 4 miles from scotch corner junction on A1. Think Tebay... BUT EVEN NICER!!

Tebay is independent so there aren't any chain fast food places there.

There is a farm shop with butchers/deli counters, a local produce shop, a small bit that sells fruits/seasalt clothing and a cafe/food place and a small play area.

sunnyhillsfarmshop.co.uk

We often stop here just off the a1 if you're coming that way. My sense of direction is terrible. It's only an hour from Edinburgh but it has a lovely cafe, lovely food, a nice but small farm shop and most importantly an enclosed play area. And llamas (or maybe alpacas, I'm not sure). No petrol though.

@holidaypasta I would imagine you are going A1, the mainsgill farm shop is less than a ten min detour from scotch corner. They have a fab kids playground and little tractors to play on, also animals... including camels!!

Thank you - sounds amazing!