Tebay Services has just been named the best motorway service station in England… and quite rightly so, if you ask us.
But the thing is, it’s not quite for the reason you’d expect.
Most of us will spend a good chunk of time at motorway service stations throughout our lives, whether we like it or not, but it’s fair to say that the majority of them aren’t much to write home about, and if anything, tend to be slagged off rather than given glowing reviews.
Tebay Services, on the other hand, is a massive exception to that.
Tebay Services has been named the best in the country / Credit: Tebay Services
The little slice of motorway services heaven – which is just off the M6 in Cumbria – is so much more than your average service station.
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A classic halfway stop-off for Mancs heading up north, the family-run Tebay is pretty much iconic at this point, and is known and loved for its lakeside setting and rural surroundings, stunning spacious interior with vaulted ceilings, the wealth of cafes and restaurants serving up dishes home-cooked on site, and its farm shop selling all sorts of local produce.
The Cumbrian gem is regularly – and if you’ve ever been, you’ll know, unsurprisingly – named among the best in the UK, but does tend to miss out on the top spot to its sister site, Gloucester Services, off the M5 in Cheltenham.
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The Cumbrian gem off the M6 has taken the top spot in a new ranking / Credit: Tebay Services
But a ranking by Cinch using data collated from recent reviews has now seen the original family-run services given the number one honour it truly deserves.
However, though, it’s not quite for the reasons you’d expect of a motorway services, as it’s actually scored highly for its wide range of ‘downtime’ options, rather than for being somewhere to grab a quick bite to eat and nip to the loo.
The data showed that families travelling across the country love to take the time to unwind at Tebay while taking in the fresh country air and stretching their legs in the spacious surroundings – with the famous farm shop, duck pond, children’s play area, and outdoor dining terrace are all listed as a big reason for its 4.5/5 Google rating (from 18,200 reviews).
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The beloved service station has scored top marks for its range of ‘downtime’ options / Credit: Tebay Services
Explaining why Tebay has taken the top spot in its 2023 ranking, Cinch wrote: “If you’re planning to stop off for a break and you’re craving an environment that offers something with a bit more pizzazz, you need to visit Tebay services.
“It’s arguably the UK’s most famous service station, which says a lot.
“Visit this family-owned site in the scenic part of the M6 and make use of beautiful views, a farm shop, a duck pond and even a barbecue shed (depending on the season).
“Sitting for too long in the car can be a major cause of fatigue, so take the opportunity to stimulate your mind and body by visiting a service station that promises more than just a big car park and a bit of grub.”
Featured Image – Tebay Services
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Tommy Fury vs Darren Till press conference descends into foul-mouthed chaos
Danny Jones
The first press conference ahead of Tommy Fury vs Darren Till was held on Tuesday evening and it didn’t take long for the whole thing to descend into absolute bedlam.
Having only been confirmed on Sunday, Fury vs Till will be a homecoming bout for the Wythenshawe-born fighter who is set to headline the first-ever boxing match at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena.
With the date set for 18 January, the pre-fight build-up and media frenzy are growing fast and things have already come to ahead in just the first meeting between the two fighters in London this week.
Clearly sharing plenty of bad blood already, while Tommy and Till were engaging in the usual fighting talk, the family patriarch, John Fury, decided to interject and it was at this point that things boiled over.
‼️ Tommy Fury vs Darren Till press conference descends into chaos as Till tells John Fury: "Shut up, you haven't been seen since Oleksandr Usyk battered Tyson."
As you can see, amidst the various insults being thrown around regarding intelligence, boxing ability, Tommy’s older brother Tyson being “battered by [Oleksandr] Usyk”, ‘Big John’ then launches a bottle of water across the table at Till, sparking a hot-tempered on-stage skirmish.
The lengthy exchange features as many expletives as you could imagine, with 31-year-old Darren Till also threatening that he will “bladder” both Tommy and his more established heavyweight sibling Tyson, labelling the entire Fury family “shithouses” as they walk out of the London press conference.
A mixed martial artist by trade who has competed at both welterweight and middleweight in the UFC, Till assured that even if the boxing match isn’t going his way on the night, he will kick [him] square in [the] face”, adding that he’s a “proper fighter” and that Tommy, on the other hand, has no power.
YouTube turned musician and occasional boxer, KSI – the founder of the Misfits promotion who is putting on the event and who Fury beat back in October last year – can also be heard whooping from centre stage and shouting, “Get your tickets!”
Even after the mini-brawl is separated, the foul-mouthed back and forth continues for some time. You can see another angle here:
Press conference aftermath 🤯@darrentill2 was going IN on the Fury’s 😳
This isn’t the first time things have boiled over at a Fury press conference; in fact, it’s not even the first time John Fury, 59, has found himself in the very eye of the storm.
Meanwhile, the youngest Fury son is preparing first his first fight in over a year, having nearly joined this year’s I’m a Celeb lineup instead.
Tickets for the now highly-anticipated boxing match at Co-op Live, just the second combat sports event to have been held at the arena, are on sale now – you can grab yours HERE. It’s going to be a feisty one.
Festive Grinch-themed cafes to pop up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores
Emily Sergeant
Festive Grinch-themed cafes are popping up inside two of Primark’s biggest Greater Manchester stores in the run-up to Christmas.
As the temperatures turn colder by the day, the nights draw in, and the most wonderful time of the year nears closer and closer, it won’t be long before it’s time to snuggle up in our comfies and pop on the first Christmas film of the year – and for some of us, there’s a good chance that first film of choice will be The Grinch.
Whether you prefer the 2000 fantasy comedy starring Jim Carey, or the 2018 animated reboot with Benedict Cumberbatch, it’s undoubtedly a real family favourite.
To celebrate everyone’s favourite grumpy green grouch, Primark has teamed up with Dr. Seuss once again on a Grinch-tastic collaboration.
Festive Grinch-themed cafes have popped up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores / Credit: Supplied
Shoppers can now head to their nearest Primark store to find the largest-ever Grinch collection, with something for the whole family, as well as great gifting options said to be “ideal for getting into the anti-Christmas spirit”.
There’s Grinch pyjamas and slippers for both adults and kids, a Grinch ‘Onesie’ that’s sure to make people green with envy, Grinch drinks cups and mugs, a selection of loungewear and Christmas jumpers for festive dressing, and so much more, as well as whole host of Grinch-inspired outfits and toys for your four-legged friends too.
As part of Primark’s aim to offer affordable choices for everyone, prices for the Grinch collection start at just £1 for accessories, and go up to £24 for adult clothing.
If the return of the Grinch collection wasn’t exciting enough as it is, the all-new Grinch cafes – which are popping up in Primark on Market Street in Manchester city centre, as well as Primark in Trafford Palazzo – are bound to be hit with fans of the furry character.
There’s everything from green waffles and themed milkshakes, to festive toasties, hot drinks, and more on the menu.
With Greater Manchester Grinch cafes set to be open until the end of December, Sarah Jackson – who is the Director of Licensing at Primark, said: “We’re so excited to roll out our amazing cafe experience across a number of our UK locations, bringing a sprinkle of mischief to our customers this festive season.
“Whether you’re stopping in for a sweet treat or stocking up on pyjamas and gifts for the whole family, we have everything you need to make it a truly unforgettable Grinch-mas.”
Emily Sergeant -
25th August 2023 
