Motorway service areas

[Pale Rider]

What are your thoughts on motorway service areas?

I imagine many of us will be using them over the next week.

My general view is positive, not least because I'm old enough to remember when they were grubby, run down, and served awful food.

These days it's nearly all big brand catering, which has the benefit of reliability.

Price can be a concern, there being a premium on the same stuff from the high street.

I reckon McDonald's, bless 'em, hikes prices less than other brands.

The toilets at service areas are usually clean, even if they are buried in the centre of the building or a long way from the entrance.

I like the common seating/dining areas which make it easy to nip in and bash out a bit of work on the laptop without feeling under pressure to buy something.

Under the terms of its licence, the operator is obliged to provide a rest area and free drinking water, although you might struggle to find the latter.

I don't have a favourite service area, which illustrates one of their downsides - they are a bit samey.

Access to some sites is messy, it's a mildly annoying having to go around several roundabouts or through several junctions, or having to drive half a mile off the motorway.

But those niggles aside, my view of motorway service areas is generally positive.

What do you think?

 

[PaulSB]

While I can agree with all the positives you list I still try to avoid motorway services as much as possible. They are usually over crowded, hugely over priced, serve food I wouldn't buy anywhere else and take advantage of the travelling public who seem incapable of choosing an alternative.

The one exception to this being Tebay. Always a pleasure to stop there.

Unless all I need is pee or a nap it's quite simple to leave a motorway for much cheaper fuel and a decent cafe. From what I see very bother to do so.

 

[Pale Rider]

I stopped at Tebay a good few years ago and was a bit underwhelmed.

The seating area - overlooking the lake - was grubby, worn out tables, tatty carpet, and the large windows were dirty.

Food was OK, but pricey, particularly in the 'farm' shop.

Although I accept it's better to pay a bit more for that sort of food than the processed stuff from the big brands.

My experience wasn't helped by the fact it's grim up there on a nice day, even grimmer when it's windy and raining.

What's Tebay like now?

 

[summerdays]

Last time I used the services was in high summer.... every man and his dog were also trying to use them. We came off twice into a service station only to be directed to drive straight through and out the other side, luckily we could stop at the third as by that stage Mar Summerdays was becoming a little desperate!

We only use them when doing major journeys really and I still prefer to leave the motorway and find a nice alternative stop instead.

We always stop at Tebay normally ... just seems more peaceful than some.

 

[Beebo]

I made the school boy error of not filling up before getting on the motorway yesterday. I know it is a captive market but £1,29 for ltr of petrol is a rip off.

 

[screenman]

They seem to supply what we need. I do understand that they have higher running costs so expect to pay a bit more.

 

[Markymark]

Their running costs are higher and they have an obligation to provide services to quite a large number of non-paying visitors so it's to be expected the prices are higher.

 

[User6179]

You are absolutely fine using motorway services as long as you don't eat or drink anything from them , the stories I have heard about a large local service area would make you puke , including maggots in drinks dispensers and dead pigeons in the water tank.
The guy who does maintenance at these sites says he wouldn't eat anything from them ever.

 

[Levo-Lon]

As long as you accept your going to get shafted their ok..i use them on most long drives ie peterborough to nth Wales..some are very clean and have good food outlets for fast food sellers.
some are not too clever but when you got to go....they do the job

 

[KEEF]

The smell of warm poo from the toilets! YAK

 

[Glenn]

Possibly the best service area now is Gloucester Services AKA Telly Tubbie Land, owned and run but the same people that run Tebay. Most of the food there is sourced from the local area, but can be on the expensive side.

 

[summerdays]

Possibly the best service area now is Gloucester Services AKA Telly Tubbie Land, owned and run but the same people that run Tebay. Most of the food there is sourced from the local area, but can be on the expensive side.

I've heard good comments but it's just too close for me to stop at!

 

[Brandane]

Some mediocre, some downright disgusting. In general, filthy toilets and overpriced low quality food. I tend to try and use services with an M&S Simply Food outlet. Even if the prices are higher than the stuff sold in their normal shops, at least the quality is consistent.
My Trip Advisor review of the Just Eat offering at Cherwell Valley, which IMO should be razed to the ground.
Oh, and don't get me started on the fuel prices at some of them. Anyone who pays the prices at Southwaite needs their head looked at. Go to junction 38(?) and use the Golden Fleece, or Tesco just off the M6 Carlisle south (or is it north?) exit.

 

[summerdays]

Some mediocre, some downright disgusting. In general, filthy toilets and overpriced low quality food. I tend to try and use services with an M&S Simply Food outlet. Even if the prices are higher than the stuff sold in their normal shops, at least the quality is consistent.
My Trip Advisor review of the Just Eat offering at Cherwell Valley, which IMO should be razed to the ground.
Oh, and don't get me started on the fuel prices at some of them. Anyone who pays the prices at Southwaite needs their head looked at. Go to junction 38(?) and use the Golden Fleece, or Tesco just off the M6 Carlisle south exit.

Ah yes we always stop at Carlisle Tesco's when passing on the M6 ... can grab food, coffee, loo's, supermarket bits and fuel, literally just off the motorway!

 

[Brandane]

I'm old enough to remember when they were grubby, run down, and served awful food.

Your grasp of posting on the internet is amazing for a newborn!