Motorway service stations are a rite of passage on any long car journey. We've all been in them and we all have our favourites. It has previously been estimated that service stations receive around 6.3 million visitors per week or around 32 million every year.
From the busy South Mimms and Cobham services on the M25 to the popular Beaconsfield on the M40 or Birchanger Green on the M11. However, after travelling up and down Britain, I think I've finally found the best motorway services in the entire nation, and I’m not alone. Back in 2022, I visited the now iconic Gloucester Services located between 11A and 12 on the M5 en-route to a week long staycation in Cornwall.
Operated by Westmorland, Gloucester Services are slowly becoming a thing of legend with customer satisfaction scores that are leaving their rivals in the dust. A recent poll by consumer watchdog Which? found that Gloucester was the nation's favourite location, securing a saturation score of 85%.
This was a country mile ahead of Roadchef’s Sedgemoor South, which was second at 52% and Michaelwood’s Welcome Break at 48% which was third. So what's so good about it? Probably because it’s unlike any other motorway service station in the country.
First Gloucester services are constructed over two separate sites with a Northbound and Southbound quarters. This means there is two buildings, but more importantly two car parks which helps to keep traffic to a minimum, finding a bay is simply a breeze.
Parking is completely free of charge for three hours, while there are ample electric charging plugs for EV owners to dig into. Next, the visuals, with the service station built into the side of a hill that overlooks a beautiful lake.
Unlike plenty of other service stations with rows upon rows of concrete parking bays, Gloucester benefits by having plenty of green space. Sitting on the grass is perfect for a picnic in the summer or the ideal walking green for a dog to properly stretch their legs during a long car journey.
Inside, gone are the rows and rows of fast-good takeaway options that drivers have gotten used to over the years. There isn’t a McDonalds or KFC here, but instead a beautiful farm shop stocking a full range of local produce at their deli, cheese and butcher's counters.
Want something warm before heading off? No worries, the services has an excellent kitchen serving homemade meals at a relevant budget. A steak and ale pie or lasagne for £1295 is on par with a British gastropub and not far off what you’d pay for a takeaway burger anywhere else.
Meanwhile, Westmorland are proud that their coffee is roasted around 30 miles away in Bristol. All of this makes Gloucester an experience that motorists simply won’t want to miss.
It’s likely to become a destination location during long trips, with road users desperate to check out this unique stop-off instead of simply out of necessity.