New survey reveals the UK’s best and worst motorway service stations

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A new survey has revealed the best and worst motorway service stations in the UK.

While we don’t usually visit them for fun, many Brits will agree that a crucial part of any long-distance journey is planning out the motorway services stations to stop off at along the way.

But out of all the service stations that are dotted across the country, which one is rated as the best? And which is the worst?

Well, with a new year now here, leading consumer choice company, Which?, recruited 2,719 people to rate a total of 70 UK service stations in a number of categories – including the range and quality of shops and food outlets, prices, convenience, parking, accessibility, cleanliness, and more.

The customer score for each service station combines the overall satisfaction and likelihood of recommending.

Gloucester Services has been named the UK’s best service station / Credit: Gloucester Services

Topping the list as the best motorway service station in the UK is Gloucester Services, between junctions 11A and 12 on the M5, which received a whopping four out of five stars for all categories – with a customer score of 86%.

One visitor said it was “as far from a typical motorway stop as you can imagine”, with other customers praising its “fabulous” farm shop selling home-cooked meals and local produce.

At the other end of the scale though is the Moto-owned Bridgwater Services in Somerset, which ranked the worst in Britain by Which? after it was awarded just one star out of five for all categories analysed and received an overall customer score of just 32%.

Recent visitors described the venue as “dirty” and “depressing”, and others complained of a urine smell and toilet paper strewn on the floor, while another claimed it “should be demolished”.

Tebay Services has taken the second spot on the list of the UK’s best / Credit: Tebay Services

Top 5 best motorway services in the UK

  1. Gloucester Services (86%)
  2. Tebay Services (83%)
  3. Cairn Lodge Services (69%)
  4. Norton Canes Services (65%)
  5. Wetherby Services (61%)

Top 5 worst motorway services in the UK

  1. Bridgwater Services (32%)
  2. Gordano Services (40%)
  3. Newport Pagnell Services (41%)
  4. Sandbach Services (42%)
  5. Keele Services (42%)
Moto’s Bridgewater Services was named the worst UK service station / Credit: Which?

Speaking on the unveiling of best and worst UK service stations, Rory Boland, Editor of Magazine Which? Travel, said: “The results of our survey show that it pays to plan ahead to avoid some of the UK’s worst motorway services.

“It could be the difference between a home-cooked meal in peaceful surroundings or crowded queues in downright dirty facilities.

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“Whether you’re zipping down the M5 towards the beaches on the south-west coast, or up the M6 towards the Scottish border, make sure your journey isn’t spoiled by a stop at a shoddy service station.”

Featured Image – Gloucester Services