With more people choosing staycations over travelling abroad, there’s one thing all road-trippers and holidaymakers are likely to pass through on their way to and from their destination: service stations.
There are over one hundred service stations in the UK, so we’ve narrowed down our favourites.
Gloucester Services – M5
- Location: M5, between J11A and J12 (northbound / southbound)
- Electric vehicle charging
If you’re travelling to southern seaside destinations, like Cornwall, Dorset, Devon or Somerset, there’s no better place to stop off than Gloucester Services.
In terms of food, you’ll find the following:
- Farm shop – packed with fresh, local produce from regional suppliers
- Deli counter – offering handmade pies, pastries, salads and ready‑to‑eat treats
- Fishmongers – serving fresh, sustainably sourced fish and seafood
- Butcher’s counter – providing high‑quality local meats prepared on site
The Kitchen
The Kitchen is a fresh‑food restaurant serving meals made with local, seasonal ingredients sourced from farms and producers across Gloucestershire and the surrounding regions. It’s designed to feel more like a countryside café than a motorway stop, and you definitely won’t find any chain restaurants here.
Other facilities include:
- Toilets and showers
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free cash points
- Three hours of free parking
- Petrol station built into an artificial hill
Tebay Services – M6
- Location: M6, between J38 and 39 (northbound / southbound)
- Electric vehicle charging
The first family-run motorway service in the UK, Tebay, is located on a working farm in one of the most picturesque areas of the north of England.
This service is an ideal stop if you’re travelling across Cumbria, the Lake District or venturing across the Scottish border.
In terms of facilities, you’ll find the following:
- Pie shop – serving pie, sausage rolls, all baked in Tebay’s own bakery using free-range eggs
- Hot sandwiches with proper hand-cut chips and homemade sauces
- Breakfast rolls – bacon and Cumberland sausages
- Bakery – a range of great pastries, coffee and cakes
There’s also a kitchen if you’re in the mood for a bigger meal, serving full English hot breakfasts and topped waffles to hearty dishes such as roast beef and macaroni cheese. The large duck pond on site lies just beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, offering visitors a great view while they enjoy a bite to eat.
Other facilities include:
- Ample parking
- A petrol station
- Hotel and caravan park to the northbound side of the site
- Showers
- Dog-friendly seating areas
- Cashback facilities
- Toilets
- Accessibilities
- Overnight parking available at £28 a night
- EV Charging
Beaconsfield Services – M40
- Location: M40, J2 (northbound / southbound)
- Electric vehicle charging
Located just outside London, Beaconsfield Services is open 24-7 and is the perfect stopping point before you tackle the infamous M25 ring road. While it can be considered more of a traditional service station than some on this list, Beaconsfield is a great example of how traditional can be done well.
Facilities here include:
- Ample parking
- Outdoor seating and play area for kids
- EV charging
- Ibis budget hotel for overnight stops
- McDonalds
- Nando’s
- Starbucks
- M&S Food
- Greggs
There’s also large lakeside terrace to the side of the main building and plenty of landscaped grounds and preserved woodlands to enjoy.
Norton Canes Services – M6
- Location: M6 (Toll), between J6-7
- Electric vehicle charging
Another service station that’s open 24-7 is Norton Canes Services in the Midlands. While Norton Canes can be found on the traditionally quiet M6 Toll, it’s become one of Roadchef’s busiest and most popular locations.
Facilities you’ll find here:
- McDonalds
- Costa
- Spar
- Chozen Noodle
- Krispy Kreme.
The central building has an unusual wave-like shape, and the surrounding area has been carefully landscaped to give visitors plenty of scenery to enjoy. You’ll also find all the usual service station facilities plus extras like EV charging, meeting rooms, free water and a hotel, perfect for that mid-road trip break.
Leeds Skelton Lake Services – M1
- Location: M1, junction 45 (southbound and northbound)
- Electric vehicle charging
If you’re travelling north for an urban escape, then Leeds Skelton Lake Service is perfect for anyone who’s looking to access major cities including Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool.
At this modern, eco-designed service station, you’ll find facilities including;
- The Kitchen by Moto – serving hot meals, breakfasts, and fresh coffee
- M&S Foodhall – perfect for quality snacks, fresh food and essentials
- KFC – quick and convenient hot food
- Burger King – classic fast‑food favourites
- Costa Coffee – barista‑made drinks and pastries
- Greggs – bakery items, sandwiches and hot snacks
- WHSmith – books, magazines, travel essentials and snacks
- Outdoor seating areas
Leeds Skelton Lake Services is one of the most modern and scenic stops on the M1, offering a wide choice of food, EV charging, and peaceful outdoor areas overlooking the lake.
Cairn Lodge Services – M74
- Location: M74, between J11 and J12
- Electric vehicle charging
It’s the smallest of the service stations on our list and so has an understandably smaller number of facilities, but it follows the familiar ethos of other Westmorland service stations by prioritising fresh food and locally sourced produce.
The surroundings are also fairly unique, as there’s a dramatic gothic gateway standing on the site. It’s said to be all the remains of an abandoned attempt to rebuild Douglas Castle in the 1700s and is what gives the service station its name and logo.
Cairn Lodge underwent a major renovation in 2018-2019 to bring it in-line with the other Westmorland stations and it now boasts bright and fresh interiors that make the most of natural materials, as well as a farm shop, kitchen and coffee bar.
If you’re heading up north towards Glasgow, then it’s well-worth making time for a visit.
Staycation preparation
Before heading out, there are a few things you’ll want to do to ensure your journey runs smoothly.
Free 5-Point Car Check
Our Free 5-Point Car Check is available at all our stores and garages and covers five key areas: headlights and brake lights, wiper blades, battery health, windscreen chip and MOT due date.
Just pick a date and time that suits you online and pop down to your local Halfords on the day of your appointment.
For more tips to ensure an easy journey, check out our blog on 5 ways to get ready for the ultimate summer staycation.
Header image courtesy of Westmorland Limited.
