Worst motorway services mapped - 'stale urine smell' and an 'absolute disgrace'
Gloucester Services was ranked the best motorway service station in a poll of 90 stops, while Bridgwater Services in Somerset was named the worst by visitors - here's the 10 worst service stations in the UK
The best and worst motorway service stations in the country have been revealed.
Gloucester Services has been crowned the best motorway stop in the country, while Bridgwater Services in Somerset ranks at the bottom.
More than 4,000 motorway users took part in a Which? poll rating 90 service stations nationwide. They evaluated factors such as retail prices, shop variety, food and drink quality, cleanliness, convenience, accessibility, and outdoor spaces.
Topping the list was Gloucester Services, which earned five-star ratings in most categories. One visitor praised, 'If all motorway service stations were like Gloucester, I'd be happy to spend time at any of them. It's a pleasure - great staff, nice food, a farm shop, gardens with lakeside walks, and dog-friendly areas. They deserve every success.'
Another traveller said it was 'head and shoulders above all the others I've used'.
Other top performers include Westmorland Family's Tebay Services on the M6 in Cumbria, scoring 77%, and Cairn Lodge Services on the M74 in Lanarkshire, with 72%.
At the other end of the spectrum, many service stations disappointed customers, with nine of the bottom 10 operated by Moto. Bridgwater Services on the M5 scored just 23%, making it the worst-ranked stop.
Visitors criticised Bridgwater for poor parking, cramped and overpriced facilities described as 'filthy,' and toilets that 'smelled of stale urine'. Online reviews were equally harsh. One wrote: 'Don't do it to yourself. Never stop here. Getting off the motorway is a disaster. Parking is a disaster. Greggs is a caravan (literally). The M&S is cramped. Extremely limited seating. Dogs everywhere. Drive past and don't look back.'
Another reviewer complained about confusing signage and damp, gloomy multi-storey parking, adding, 'Greggs had no hot food, so I just left.'
Other low-ranked services included Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire, Lancaster, and Hilton Park in Staffordshire, all narrowly ahead of Bridgwater.
Lancaster Services on the M6 scored 34% and was criticised for overcrowding and poor access, as shops and food courts are linked only by an inconvenient pedestrian bridge. Some visitors described breakfast as 'underwhelming' and served in cardboard boxes. The abandoned Pennine Tower looms as a reminder of Lancaster's former glory.
Hilton Park, also scoring 34%, was described as 'dark and gloomy.' One customer told Which?, 'You'd be lucky to find a decent flow of hot water to wash your hands, let alone any soap. It's a disgrace.'
Ken McMeikan, CEO of Moto, noted that one of its stations, Rugby, ranked third in the poll. He told the Mirror, 'Over the past two years, we've invested over £50million refurbishing our service stations and building a new site at Sawtry on the A1M. This shows our commitment to improving customer experience. We value feedback and are dedicated to addressing concerns.'
He added that a recent independent Transport Focus survey of a larger group than Which?'s panel gave Moto an average customer satisfaction score of 94%. 'This reflects the success of our refurbishment programme, especially targeting older sites. We've upgraded 75% of our toilet blocks in the last five years.'
McMeikan highlighted recent improvements at two Moto locations:
"Bridgwater: We have invested over £500,000 in maintaining and expanding this site, resulting in significant upgrades. The site scored 88% in the Transport Focus study, showcasing improvements over the period since Which? respondents began visiting," he said.
"Lancaster North: This site has benefited from a comprehensive investment of over £3m focused on expansion and facility upgrades. These enhancements are reflected in the site's average 90% satisfaction score in the Transport Focus study."
Service station rankings
(Services, motorway, customer score)
Gloucester (M5): 85%
Tebay (M6): 77%
Rugby (M6): 75%
Cairn Lodge (M74): 72%
Leeds Skelton Lake (M1): 68%
Norton Cane (M6 toll): 59%
Killington Lake (M6): 58%
Annandale Water (A74) 56%
Beaconsfield (M40): 56%
Donington (M1): 55%
Baldock (A1): 54%
Stafford North (M6): 54%
Gretna (A74): 53%
Peterborough (A1): 53%
Winchester (M3): 53%
Sedgemoor (M5): 52%
Warwick (M40): 52%
Cherwell Valley (M40): 51%
Reading (M4): 51%
Wetherby (A1): 51%
Cobham (M25): 50%
Hopwood Park (M42): 50%
Leigh Delamere (M4): 50%
Ferrybridge (M62): 49%
Oxford (M40): 49%
Chester (M56): 48%
Doncaster (M18): 48%
Michaelwood (M5): 48%
Stafford South (M6): 48%
Strensham (M5): 48%
Fleet (M3): 47%
Abington (M74): 46%
Burton-in-Kendal (M6): 46%
Corley (M6): 46%
Northampton (M1): 46%
Sedgemoor (M5): 46%
Tamworth (M42): 46%
Taunton Deane (M5): 46%
Tibshelf (M1): 46%
South Mimms (M25): 45%
Chieveley (M4): 44%
Durham (A1): 44%
Leicester Forest East (M1): 44%
Rivington (M61): 44%
Woolley Edge (M1): 44%
Abington (A74): 43%
Clacket Lane (M25): 43%
Magor (M4): 43%
Pease Pottage (M23): 43%
Sarn Park (M4): 43%
Telford (M54): 43%
Birch (M62): 42%
Birchanger Green (M1): 42%
Exeter (M5): 42%
Gordano (M5): 42%
Maidstone (M20): 42%
Medway (M2): 42%
Membury (M4): 42%
Pont Abraham (M4); 42%
Blyth (A1): 41%
Keele (M6): 41%
Rownhams (M27): 41%
Southwaite (M6): 41%
Trowell (M1): 41%
Knutsford (M6): 40%
Stirling (M80): 40%
Cardiff West (M4): 39%
Hartshead Moor (M62): 39%
Heston (M4): 39%
London Gateway (M1): 39%
Newport Pagnell (M1): 39%
Scotch Corner (A1): 39%
Severn View (M48): 39%
Woodall (M1): 39%
Cardiff Gate (M4): 38%
Cullompton (M5): 38%
Hamilton (M74): 38%
Swansea West (M4): 38%
Charnock Richard (M6): 37%
Sandbach (M6): 37%
Frankley (M5): 36%
Kinross (M90): 36%
Toddington (M1): 36%
Washington (A1): 36%
Watford Gap (M1): 36%
Thurrock (M25): 35%
Hilton Park (M6): 34%
Lancaster (M6): 34%
Leeming Bar (A1): 26%
Bridgewater (M5): 23%
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