Now that UK road trips are back on the agenda, you may be eager to get behind the wheel once again. And sometimes, stopping at the service station can be a real highlight – a fun pit stop to grab some grub and stretch your legs. But other times – the experience might leave you running back to your car. They can be loud. Chaotic. Have limited food options. And you might even have to queue for the toilet.
So instead of taking your chances on any old random roadside services, look to see the revealed list of which pit-stops are worth taking a break in and which are, well, the pits. A survey carried out by car dealer specialists Brindley Group, looked at all of the 100+ services across 29 different motorways throughout the country.
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(Image: PA)
From this sample size, they took average review scores from TripAdvisor, Google Reviews and Motorway Services Online (MSO) and combined these to produce aggregated scores out of 5 for each site based on thousands of online ratings.
Key findings
From the results, here are the most significant findings:
The worst motorway services
1. Telford
Telford was ranked the UK’s worst motorway services, with an average score of just two out of five.
Reviewing the M54 Telford services on Google, motorist Carl Farrugia said: “Horrifically over priced”, adding: “Pure opportunists and would avoid at all costs!”
John Smith added: “Over priced and not a nice services to stop at. If you pull up, top tip, just search petrol in your sat nav and there is a Tesco a junction down or an Asda a mile or so away. I always do it when stopping at services near towns. Save yourself anywhere from 10p to 30p a litre.”
2. Heart of Scotland (Harthill)
In second place, Heart of Scotland’s prices put it in the firing line.
While it’s common for roadside services to pump up their prices, one user was particularly dismissive, saying: “If you ever need to go here, get a second mortgage first.”
3) Birchanger Green – junction 8 of the M11
“It’s fine driving in, but total chaos getting out”, said one reviewer.
4) Bridgwater – junction 24 of the M5
This service station is on the M5 at junction 24 and was given an average rating of just 2.65 out of five. One reviewer said it had not aged well: “Doesn’t offer much and time has left it behind.”
5) Borthwell – between junction 4 and 5 of the M74
“Not bad, but spoiled by the unclean facilities,” wrote one reviewer.
6) Michaelwood – between junction 13 and 14 of the M5
Sixth place Michaelwood was described as “soulless”, while one unfortunate motorist stated it took them an hour just to get out of the car park.
7) Toddington – between junction 11 and 12 of the M1
“You’re better off making up a picnic at home”, wrote one reviewer of the Toddington service station.
8) Broxden – at the Broxden roundabout of the M90/A9
They were described as “one of the busiest in Scotland and also one of the dearest” and received an average rating of 2.85 out of five.
9) Gordano – junction 19 at the M5
Contributing to an average rating of 2.86 out of five, one reviewer said it “took an hour to get out of the car park”.
10) Lancaster – between junction 32 and 33 of the M6
The Lancaster services on the M6 between junction 32 and 33 were given a rating of 2.97 out of five. One reviewer wrote: “Overall, unfortunately what you expect from a motorway service area.”
The Best services
Tebay services, located in the North West, officially takes the top spot for the UK’s best motorway services. With an average score of 4.24 out of 5, users have resoundingly voted for it as the best place to refuel, recharge, stretch the legs and grab a bite to eat on a journey. Its surrounding foliage was also said to be particularly relaxing after a long drive.
Beaconsfield and Gretna took second and third place, respectively, and both are worth visiting if you find yourself driving on the M40 or A74 during your travels.
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