The ‘Service Station King’ has visited all 97 UK motorway services and shares what makes the best UK service stations stand out from the rest
He names his favourites out of the 97 stations(Image: SMC Coach Hire)
A 28-year-old has appointed himself the ‘Service Station King’, having spent over a decade traversing the nation’s motorways — and there’s a valuable lesson to be taken away.
Rich Cross has visited all 97 service stations across the country, making his journeys in a two-door Smart car. While he maintains it’s impossible to single out a favourite, he has a wealth of guidance to offer, having witnessed how these stops have evolved over the years.
Speaking to SMC Coach Hire, he outlined the biggest warning signs to look out for, while also detailing what he considers the finest options for those planning a road trip in the near future.
His thorough research places Gloucester, Tebay, Beaconsfield, Rugby and Cairn Lodge among the UK’s top service stations, while the worst tend to share a handful of recurring shortcomings. He highlights potholes as an immediate deterrent, even for the most regular visitors, alongside poorly maintained facilities.
Cross says: “If the toilets are a mess, that’s a big red flag. The condition of the road through the site is a big thing for me. It’s a big topic especially for the lorry drivers, who are the most regular customers. Things like pot holes are a big problem.”
In his view, there are certain essential features every service station ought to provide in order to accommodate a variety of customers. He argues that “the more brands you have in the building, the better”, and champions EV chargers as an absolute necessity, along with one particular style of entrance.
Ease of access is paramount, and there are two categories of entrances at service stations, referred to as ‘online’ and ‘offline’ sites. Online sites, he explains, are those situated directly on the motorway, accessible via a slip road, while offline sites require drivers to exit at a junction and travel further to reach them.
“Online sites are preferred because you don’t have to faff around as much,” he states. It is these qualities that form his definitive list of favourite service stations, and the most iconic amongst the British public, he believes, is Lancaster Services on the M6.
Cross explains: “It’s got the Pennine Tower that towers above the site. That’s usually one that crops up in conversation quite frequently. Back in the day it used to have a restaurant at the top there with views of Lancashire but unfortunately that’s closed now.”
And the rule most people don’t know about? How long you can stay.
Cross explains: “Cross explains: “There are rules about how long you can stay as you’ve got limited parking. Most sites are three hours. Most people spend between half an hour and an hour there, which gives them time to use the facilities and get some food. But some people are in and out in five minutes. There are now drive-thrus at some sites, so that has changed things over the last few years. But there are no social rules around it, it’s just whatever the parking limit is.”
Stations he regards as “quirky” include those featuring bridges where visitors can sit overlooking the motorway while eating. These include Charnock Richard (M6), Keele (M6) and Leicester Forest East (M1); meanwhile, newer sites are attempting to integrate the surrounding environment into their design, incorporating walking paths throughout the grounds.
Returning to his personal favourites, the service station aficionado reveals what sets them apart. He explains: “Gloucester, Tebay and Cairn Lodge are all run by the same company, so they all have the same style. They have a farm-shop style, with a different and alternative setup.
“That’s why they always rate highly. They offer locally sourced produce, and everything is made freshly on the day.”
These days, however, many of the leading service stations are exceptionally well-designed, with considerable emphasis placed on green spaces — Rugby being amongst the most recent additions. Meanwhile, Beaconsfield has earned affection for featuring 15 different brands.
According to Cross, it’s also the first stop motorists encounter on the M40 when leaving London, making it a natural choice for travellers either heading into or departing from the capital.
