Motorway service areas

[stephec]

Hmmmmm.... There's actually some quite nice cycling around Beaconsfield and the Chilterns IIRC, and that there London is quite do-able as a day trip!

Don't let that put you off it though.

 

[Brandane]

Don't let that put you off it though.

Ahhhh, but it's quite nice to visit VERY occasionally, so that you can return home with a smug grin on your face, knowing how lucky we are!

 

[KneesUp]

The worst ones I've ever been too are the first set on the M5 when you leave Cornwall/Devon. The ones with the car park designed for 50s sized cars.

As for best - well, it depends where I'm going. The ones on the M6 are ok, but that's no much use if they're off route! Now we have a child we stop at more of them - whereas once it was a case of stopping as little as possible, Little KU seems to like to stop as soon as we've cleared the traffic ...

 

[Salad Dodger]

We rarely travel all that far in UK, but if we do its normally in the campervan. We may need to stop at the services for a toilet break, but usually avoid the food areas, and self cater in the van.

Gregg's do decent coffee, at not too exorbitant a price.

 

[vickster]

like egg and cress.

 

[srw]

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

So is the newest of new-born infants.

Service stations are desperate places, identikit factories churning out overpriced, underwhelming food and drink to a captive and overlarge crowd. Tebay only appears to be a decent place because the alternatives are so hideous. It's an adequate local farm shop with a mediocre local cafe attached.

[edit]
Gah. Should have read on.
TMN to @Brandane

 

[srw]

Hmmmmm.... There's actually some quite nice cycling around Beaconsfield and the Chilterns IIRC, and that there London is quite do-able as a day trip!

The Chilterns is a lovely part of the country, but try getting anywhere from the Beaconsfield services and you either have the busy single carriageway A355 to Slough, the monstrous four-lane M40/A355 roundabout to Beaconsfield town and Gerrards Cross via the busy A40, or a couple of badly maintained lanes which go around the houses.

 

[screenman]

If they are such massive profit making places how come there is not a lot more of them?

 

[marknotgeorge]

I would avoid London Gateway services when HMS Belfast is firing her guns, as that is where they are aimed. You never know, some idiot might accidentally pick up a live round...

 

[theclaud]

Tebay only appears to be a decent place because the alternatives are so hideous. It's an adequate local farm shop with a mediocre local cafe attached.

I got a bottle of Stringer's Damson beer last time I was at Tebay. Sensational! And they have about a hundred types of pie, some of which are excellent. It may be a mediocre farm shop by Amersham standards, but it's a better farm shop than most of us have regular access to, stocking loads of local-ish stuff. I'd rather never be on a motorway, but as I'm occasionally obliged to drive to Edinburgh, I'm glad it's there...

 

[theclaud]

Oh, and I nominate Cardiff Gate services as the closest thing to hell on earth. Luckily, @User482 has arranged for the new Bristol to Barry FNRttC to stop at Magor! You are spoiling us, Ambassador!

 

[theclaud]

'Cardiff Gate Services M4 is a 2 burger rated service area.'
motorwayservices.info

 

[midlife]

I've seen old footage of people getting dressed up to go and eat at service stations! Waitresses and all, very posh.

The most dissapointing service station is the one on the M6 toll road, as I am paying for the priveledge of using it I expected something classier.

Tebay and Killington Lake get my vote, even if one day I was there and all I head was something like "I'm not paying three pounds for a cup of tea" in a very shouty voice and them legging it back to the car park in a huff LOL

Shaun

 

[srw]

I got a bottle of Stringer's Damson beer last time I was at Tebay. Sensational! And they have about a hundred types of pie, some of which are excellent. It may be a mediocre farm shop by Amersham standards, but it's a better farm shop than most of us have regular access to, stocking loads of local-ish stuff. I'd rather never be on a motorway, but as I'm occasionally obliged to drive to Edinburgh, I'm glad it's there...

Adequate, not mediocre. I'm quite glad it's there, too - but if it wasn't on the M6 no-one would even think to rave about it.

 

[Spinney]

Tebay northbound?
Killington lake southbound has a nice view over a lake too; but it is down a steep hill and a bit of a hike.

Further north, I think - maybe even in Scotland. One of the services on the A/M 74 possibly.