The UK's best service stations

As travel experts, we know what makes a good holiday – and a good journey! It can be difficult with little ones in the back, panting pups and repeated are-we-there-yets to keep calm and carry on driving, and more often than not your journey will involve a stop or two to appease passengers… and save your sanity. But fear not, as we’re here to help make your journey to that special holiday cottage as smooth as possible!

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Gloucester Services (M5) and all services on the M5

Cobham Services (M25) and all services on the M25

Peterborough Services(A1(M)) and all services on the A1

Reading (M4) and all services on the M4

Tebay Services (M6) and all services on the M6

Beaconsfield Services (M40) and all services on the M40

Cornwall Services (A30) and all services on the A30

Annandale Water (A74) and all services on the A74

Best overall service station - Gloucester (M5)

Far more than just your bog-standard service station, Gloucester boasts finer food and drink than you would expect to find at any farmer’s market or glossy department store, least of all at the side of a motorway. Dine in the spacious restaurant with its sky-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, grab something from the delicious range of on-the-go options, or, what we’d recommend, is set aside an hour of your journey to peruse the endless tantalising array of goods in the farm shop.

Deli counters, a butchery, patisserie, wine, sweets and snacks provide infinite choice, with the majority of items locally sourced and truly top quality. We couldn’t think of a better way to start your holiday than stopping off here on the way to your cottage and getting a true taste of the West Country.

Gloucestershire cottages

Best for breaking up the M25 leg – Cobham (M25)

Even if you enjoy driving, you’ll be hard pushed to find anyone who will admit to liking a journey along the infamous M25, and yet for many in London, it’s a necessity for every expedition beyond the North or South Circular. Whether you end up stuck between an artic and a Megabus in a jam, trundle along with all but one lane closed for 10 miles, or you come across the rarest of all life events and complete your entire stint at a consistent 70mph without incident, a break on this lengthy urban uncertainty is highly recommended. And we certainly recommend Cobham. 

Based upon the design of food winners Beaconsfield, these contemporary services are midway between Heathrow and Gatwick airports, and showcase an impressive mixture of food outlets including Papa Johns, Mexicana, and a carvery. In spite of its metropolitan location, it’s also rather pretty to look at too, providing the perfect pitstop for your onward journey.

Surrey cottages

Something for everyone – Peterborough (A1(M))

An all-rounder in every sense, Peterborough’s service station really has something for everyone. A strong selection of food facilities covering cuisines of all types and tastes mean you won’t have to have a family argument about who wants what and try to find the next closest place with a McDonald’s, whilst the children’s play area will be a hit with both them and you when they wear themselves out and sleep for the rest of the car trip!

The dog exercise area gives your four-legged friends a chance to stretch their legs and do their business before hopping back in to watch the world go by, and for the sweet-toothed travellers there’s far more than just a bag of boiled goodies on offer, with outlets such as Patisserie Valerie and Wafflemeister on hand to satisfy cravings.

Peterborough cottages

Best on the way out of London - Reading (M4)

Reading Westbound Services is a driver's dream come true, with food choices including M&S Food, Costa, Burger King, Greggs and Chow Asian Kitchen, not to mention a cheeky Krispy Kreme to stock up on snacks for the journey; there'll be something to satisfy the tastes of every passenger. What's more, there's an order and collect service available if time is short - simply get your passenger to place the order while you're on the road, then stop in where it will be ready and waiting for you.

However, the chances are, if you've got kids in tow, you'll want to stay a while and take full advantage of the outdoor play area, and perhaps the Wi-Fi for mum, dad or teens. So if you're heading out of London towards Wales on the M4, why not stop for breakfast at one of Britain's best service stations and let them burn some energy before getting back on the road for the rest of the journey?

London cottages

Best dog-friendly service station - Tebay (M6)

Part of the Westmorland Family, which also own Gloucester Services, Cairn Lodge and the Rheged Centre, Tebay is perfectly situated on the M6, separating two of England’s finest National Parks: the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. 

The duck pond provides entertainment for little ones as they watch feathered friends waddle and paddle around, but if it’s a dog-friendly break you’re after, Tebay is definitely the right place; a signposted dog walk with free water bowls all around provides the ideal pooch pitstop, where they can meet new furry friends, breathe in the fresh countryside air, and refresh themselves before watching more scenery zoom past the windows on the way to your holiday cottage.

Lake District cottages

Best service station for food choice – Beaconsfield (M40)

Perfect for a little break before or after you’ve tackled the M25, Beaconsfield on the M40 has much more to offer than just a service station. Its huge petrol station has 36 pumps making it the largest fuelling station in the country, and there’s also lots of outdoor space to stretch your legs in woodland or breathe in the fresh air on the terrace overlooking the lake.

There’s even indoor and outdoor play areas for the kids! But for us, the real selling point of this service station is the food selection.

Boasting 15 food outlets altogether, including Nandos, Patisserie Valerie, Mint Leaves Indian Food and El Mexicana, possibly its finest asset is, in fact, a Wetherspoons. This pioneering pitstop proudly showcases a pub from the popular chain as though it were taken right out of a bustling town centre, offering affordable food and drink in a delightful if not dubious location. 

Controversial at its announcement, there is no denying that in a world of hiked-up prices and overly expensive stop offs, a cheap and cheerful ‘Spoons is a welcome sight after a dreary drive.

Cottages near Beaconsfield

Honorary runner-up:

Oxford (M40) – We can’t award the best food stop without mentioning Oxford services. A worthy runner-up and just a few miles further along the M40 from winning stop-off Beaconsfield, this picturesque pitstop features fountains and fine Cotswolds fields all around. Most importantly though, it has a brand-new Pizza Express, and some delectable fish and chips on offer at Harry Ramsden’s – what could be better?

Oxfordshire cottages

Best family-friendly service station - Cornwall Services (A30)

Bending the rules on just what to expect from a service station, if you’re driving to Cornwall for a family break, there’s no better place to break up the journey than here.

Indoor Active boasts a soft play area and Clip ‘n Climb walls, where little ones can roam free and exert all that pent-up energy from a long car trip. Once they’ve built up an appetite, and you’re feeling more refreshed after a break from that four-wheeled box of mayhem, there are lots of food outlets to choose from; you’ll find the usual suspects, alongside a highly-recommended fresh pizzeria, where chefs use a magnificent clay oven to cook your Italian feast in front of your eyes! The services also has popular South West surf clothing brand, Saltrock – just in case the weather surprises you!

Cornwall cottages

Most picturesque service station – Annandale Water (A74)

As service stations go, Annandale Water boasts little outstanding in the way of amenities; it features all the basics you’d expect, with a few little extras like the chance to grab a Krispy Kreme or three – purely for a sugar boost to keep you awake, of course. Its location just north of the Scottish border on the A74 lends it to being prime position for a quick break on your way in or out of the country, and whilst it may not be much to write home about in the way of facilities, you’ll be hard pushed to find a more picturesque place to stop.

The pretty lakeside location of the services makes it perfect for picnics, with an outdoor coffee terrace ideal for summer stop offs to soak up a little sunshine before resuming your journey.

Even in winter, a quick glance beyond the sparkling waters offers the potential of glimpsing snow atop the mountains, so you can rest assured whatever time of year you embark on your adventure the scenery will be just as spectacular.

Scotland cottages

Plan a road trip!

Now that there's no need to worry about the journey, it's time to start planning your holiday! Whether you're planning on taking the kids on a family holiday or bringing the dog along too on a pet-friendly break, we have a variety of holiday cottages to suit any kind of trip.

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