As a delivery driver, you’re likely to visit many service stations and planning your stop in advance can make all the difference in your experience. After all, a dark and poorly maintained service station is far from ideal when you’re on the road so often. So to make planning a bit easier, we’re here with a handy list of the best and the worst services stations in the UK.
A Which? Survey reviewed the range and quality of shops and food outlets, prices, cleanliness, convivence and accessibility and the ease of social distancing when rating nearly 70 service stations. Here is who came out on top and who fell far below expectations.
The Best
Westmorland is the brand of service stations responsible for the best three service stations as rated by Which? including Gloucester, Tebay and Cairn Lodge services.
1. Gloucester Services on the M5 between Junction 11A to 12 received a customer score of 86%. It has an upmarket feel with a grass carpeted roof with floor to ceiling windows, with homecooked meal options and local produce available in their farm shop. It is the “gold standard of service stations”.
2. Tebay Services on the M6 between Junction 38-39 received a customer score of 83%. Just 12 miles up the road from Killington Lake, which only scored 52%, the Tebay Service station is on a working farm with easy parking and freshly prepared food available in this clean and spacious family-friendly rest stop.
3. Cairn Lodge Services on the M74 between Junction 11-12 received a customer score of 69%. With high scores in all categories, making this a top 3 service station in the UK.
4. Norton Canes Services on the M6 (Toll) between Junction 6-7 received a customer score of 65%. Scoring well on all counts, including the range and quality of shops, this is a service station worth stopping at.
5. Wetherby Service Station on A1(M) at Junction 46 received a customer score of 61%, with high scores for the range of shops and food outlets, cleanliness and the convenience and accessibility of the building.
The Worst
1. Keele Services on the M6 between Junction 15-16 received a customer score of 42%, scoring two stars and below in all categories.
2. Sandbach Services on the M6 between Junction 16-17 received a customer score of 42% with stars of 3 and below in all categories.
3. Newport Pagnell Services on the M1 between Junction 14-15 received a customer score of 41% of 3 stars and below in every category, making it a poor choice for a service station on the M1.
4. Gordano Services on the M5 at Junction 19 received a customer score of 40%. It is deficient in cleanliness, amenities, and pricing, with scores between 1 and 2 stars for all categories.
5. Bridgwater Services on the M5 at Junction 24 received a customer score of 32%. Bridgewater is the worst scoring service station out of all surveyed, scoring 1 of 5 stars on all counts, with visitors describing it as ‘unsafe’, ‘dirty’ and ‘depressing’.
For the complete list of ratings for motorway services, visit Which?.
Summary
When making long-distance deliveries, you’ll inevitably need to stop at service stations for fuel, food or a toilet break. Making sure you know the best services stations along the route will ensure you avoid the unclean and expensive service stations, saving you money and time on your delivery journey.
