Best and worst UK motorway service stations revealed – just 70 miles apart but one's ‘perfect' and the other's ‘filthy'
THE best and worst of the UK's 90 service stations have been revealed with only 70 miles separating the top and bottom ranked.
A Which? survey has revealed the top ranked and the bottom ranked service station, many on the list were described as " filthy."
4
4
Gloucester made the top of the list winning five star ratings in several categories.
Bottom the list was Moto's Bridgewater services in Somerset with a pitiful one star rating.
The two dramatically different motorway service stations sit just 70 miles apart from one another.
Gloucester services, owned by Westmorland Family, earned an overall rating of 85%.
The service station won five star ratings in categories including shops, food and drink, facilities, cleanliness and accessibility.
Westmorland Family also owns Tebay services in Cumbria and Cairn Lodge in Lanarkshire, both of which made the top five.
Rugby services, owned by Moto, placed third and and Leeds Skelton Lake, owned by Extra, placed fifth.
Westmorland Family's Tebay location came in second and their Cumbria and Cairn Lodge location came in fourth.
Despite the firm's Rugby site placing third overall, Moto's Bridgewater services came dead last.
Nine of the bottom ten service stations on the list are owned by Moto.
Customers gave the Bridgewater location an overall score of just 23%.
The site scored a dismal one star rating across all categories, it was described as " unwelcoming , cramped and overpriced."
More than half of visitors ranked the food and drink at Bridgewater as "poor."
4
4
The results come from a survey of 8,677 experiences from 4,078 Which? Connect members in November/December 2024.
One offered a dull verdict on Bridgewater services: "Time for a demolition job."
Moto's Bridgewater site was also said to "look and feel filthy" and "smell of stale urine."
By comparison Gloucester was reported by Which? to be "sparkling clean, have excellent facilities and outdoor spaces that are a pleasure to be in."
Second place, Tebay services, also run by Westmorland Family was described in the same way.
Fifth place, Leeds Skelton Lake, hosted its first wedding in December 2024.
Moto service stations dominated the bottom end of the leader board with the majority of the bottom ten service stations owned by the firm.
Ken McMeikan, CEO of Moto, said: "During the past two years, we have invested over £50 million in refurbishing our service stations and building a new motorway service area on the A1M at Sawtry.
"This substantial investment demonstrates our commitment to enhancing the experience for all our customers.
"We value customer feedback and are resolutely committed to addressing any concerns.
"The most recent independent Transport Focus study, conducted in the summer of 2023, surveyed a significantly larger group than the Which? panel.
"Moto achieved an average customer satisfaction score of 94% across our Motorway Service Areas. This feedback highlights the positive impact of our ongoing efforts."
The Which? motorway service station league table
Top ten Which? motorway service stations:
Gloucester - Westmorland Family - M5
Tebay - Westmorland Family - M6
Rugby - Moto - M6
Cairn Lodge - Westmorland Family - M74
Leeds Skelton Lake - Extra - M1
Norton Canes - Roadchef - M6, toll
Killington Lake - Roadchef - M6
Annadale Water - Roadchef - A74
Beaconsfield - Extra - M40
Donington - Moto - M1
Bottom ten Which? motorway service stations:
Sandbach - Roadchef - M6
Frankley - Moto - M5
Kinross - Moto - M90
Toddington - Moto - M1
Washington - Moto - A1
Watford Gap - Roadchef - M1
Thurrock - Moto - M6
Lancaster - Moto - M6
Leeming Bar - Moto - A1
Bridgewater - Moto - J24
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
I've saved thousands by bagging FREE days out with my two kids & on summer holidays – here's my best tips
A SAVVY mum-of-two has revealed how she saves thousands of pounds without ditching days out or summer holidays. Natalie Smith, from Dymchurch, Kent, insists that there are plenty of ways to plan fun activities for your family without breaking the bank. 3 3 3 She says plenty of organisations offer free entry for kids at their locations and events, but simply don't advertise it - meaning you just have to know where to look. And when it comes to finding holidays on a budget, the savvy mum has a few tricks up her sleeve. When it comes to holidays, Natalie, a full-time blogger, claims that planning is key - particularly for things like checking whether hotels or resorts offer any activities or other perks included in the price. She also says you have to be flexible - potentially planning trips around the cheapest flight dates - or consider alternative options, such as driving to various countries in Europe. And, Natalie is certain her tips work - as she and her husband Jason have been using them for years to take their kids Finn, 14, and Lola, 12, on countless memorable trips. Natalie, 35, said: "We started living like this because we had such a small income when the kids were younger that we knew if we wanted to take them on holidays and trips, we'd have to change things. "Things are easier now, but it becomes a way of life so we're still budgeters. It's what suits our values. "We'd rather do lots of things than have lots of things - so we scrimp in some places to make sure we can travel and have amazing experiences." Weekend Fun Natalie says one of the ways she keeps costs down - while keeping the kids entertained - is to have 'no spend' weekends. This involves tracking down free events. She said: "My biggest tip is to get a Blue Peter badge. These get kids into over 200 attractions across the UK - including theme parks, zoos, museums, gardens etc. - all for free. "Those badges are worth their weight in gold. "Another tip would be to use your Tesco Clubcard points. You don't have to just use them in the shop - you can also put them towards events and days out. Just check the app. "I'd also suggest making use of your surroundings. If you're in a city - or if you want to take a day trip to a city - a lot of stuff is free, like museums, parks, or lidos for the summer. "Take a picnic and that's still a no-spend day out. Where can kids eat for free this summer? THE summer holidays are here, but entertaining the kids need not cost a fortune. Here, we reveal where you can get free and cheap meals for your little ones during the 'endless' summer holidays. ASDA CAFE: Nip into an Asda cafe to feed the kids after the weekly shop. Under-16s get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day. Little ones are covered, too. Kids under 18 months get a free Ella's baby food pouch with any purchase. BEEFEATER: This family-friendly pub chain makes mornings a breeze. Two kids under 16 eat for free with the purchase of an adult breakfast for £10.99. It's available from 6.30am to 10.30am midweek and 7am to 11am at weekends. BELLA ITALIA: Book a table and order an adult meal at the Italian eatery for kids aged two to 11 to get three courses and a drink for £1. Offer valid between 4pm and 6pm on Sundays to Wednesdays. On Thursdays, kids eat free all day when an adult meal is ordered from the a la carte menu. DUNELM: Make homeware shopping a fun day out. Dunelm's Pausa Cafes are offering free kids' meals for every £4 spent on their food or drink. Available all day, every day. BILL'S: Dine in at a Bill's restaurant to get up to two free kids' meals (normally £6.95 each) with an adult meal. Valid weekdays only until August 30. IKEA: Make it a food day at the Swedish home store. On every day except Fridays, enjoy a pit stop at their famous cafe from 11am to get a kids' pasta or mac and cheese dish for 95p. Other mini meals are available for £1.50. PIZZA EXPRESS: Kids up to age ten can get a free three-course Piccolo meal including dough balls, pizza or pasta and dessert with every adult meal purchased. The offer runs every day until August 11. TESCO: Pop to the supermarket cafe from Monday to Friday until August 30 for free kids' meals when an adult buys any item in the cafe. You must have a Clubcard to redeem the offer. THE RANGE: Kids under 16 get one free meal per adult main purchased at The Range cafes. Options include sandwiches, a cooked breakfast and fish and chips. All kids' meals come with a piece of fruit and a drink. "If you're in the countryside, use the beach, use the woods. Something like Geocaching - where you hunt for geocaches - can make a walk really fun without having to spend money. Jet, Set, Go "Train companies offer good deals too. National Rail does a Two For One, where you can get a London activity, like a River Thames boat cruise, included in the price of your ticket. "And on Southeastern Rail kids can travel for £1. "There are lots of these offers out there but companies don't actively advertise them so people aren't aware." Natalie also says that holidays don't have to be unattainable for people struggling with money - as there are plenty of ways to cut back on costs. She said: "One piece of simple advice I give people is to pick somewhere that offers a 'per party' price rather than a 'per person' price. Then it doesn't matter if you have lots of kids. "Also try to pick a destination that offers free things to do - included in your accommodation cost. "So, there are lots of places where you can do water sports for free - or which include passes to local theme parks etc. "We went to a resort in the Netherlands once which offered free access to attractions nearby - and had a safari park onsite. "So that gave us things to do without having to spend while we were out there. "So I'd say looking at those things and almost planning out your itinerary in advance can save you a fortune once you're out there." When it comes to travel, Natalie has some top tips for finding cheap flights - but also encourages families to consider driving if they're holidaying in Europe. She said: "When it comes to flights, Skyscanner is your best friend. If we have a specific destination in mind, then we'll be flexible with dates - and maybe plan the whole trip around which day the flight is cheapest. "If we don't mind where we go, we'll search for the cheapest flights to 'everywhere', and plan around that. "Otherwise though, we tend to drive as much as possible - because of how cheap ferries are. "We've driven to France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and more - and the driving becomes part of the fun. "Recently we did a trip driving around Germany, Austria, and Italy, and spent around four days in each spot we stopped at - camping at local camp sites. "We planned activities for each place and it meant every moment was great. "One day, we were walking up mountains in Austria and the next we were at the canals in Venice, Italy. "And I just think sometimes you can spend a whole day trying to get a flight - when you consider driving to the airport, going through security, waiting to board, getting the flight, then getting your hire car on the other side. "So it's something to consider." Saving Up Natalie says that she and her family also look for ways they can cut back on spending throughout the year - so they can put money aside for their holidays. This includes batch cooking to save on groceries, always taking flasks out to avoid buying coffee, and even having dad Jason learn to cut son Finn's hair so they don't have any barber fees. Natalie said: "We batch cook a lot and always meal prep so we know what we need and what we're using for the week. "I also take a flask everywhere so I don't buy coffee - and just switch small things like cycling instead of taking the bus for any journeys I can. "We've learnt to do what we can for ourselves. We clean our own windows and Jason used a YouTube video to learn how to cut our son's hair. "I just think it's all about making small changes. Obviously, money is extremely tight for a lot of people. We've been there so we know. "But I do think just trying to save where you can - it can make life more affordable. "If you don't buy a coffee or lunch out - then you could save £5 a day. £5 a day adds up to £1,825 a year. "That's a great budget for a family holiday."
The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
Families are racing to B&Q to snap up a £29 buy that's ideal for stress-free caravan holidays & beach days out
THRIFTY families are legging it to the nearest B&Q to bag a £29 buy for stress-free caravan holidays. The glorious summer season has finally arrived, which means sunny beach holidays or staying in a caravan for lots of family fun. 3 3 3 Now cash-savvy shoppers have spotted a bargain find that will make caravan stays and beach days a breeze - and it's under £30. According to one person, Cheryl Louise, the mega discount retailer B&Q is selling a foldable trolley for just £29. The trolley, which weighs just a little over a stone, is perfect for storing all of your beach days essentials, towels, snacks, water - and more. Some thrifty customers have also stated that the foldable trolley is sturdy enough to carry their little ones around - of a maximum of 12.5 stone weight limit. The affordable B&Q bargain boasts an impressive 120l capacity, a strong steel frame, as well as anti-skid tyres. What's more, it can also be folded back together in just three seconds faff-free. So whether you're off to the beach, a camping site, want to organise a picnic or plan the ultimate caravan holiday for your family this summer, this B&Q bargain is sure to be a life-saver. 'We were gifted one and it's great' The post has clearly impressed many, as it's already racked up close to 215 likes in less than 24 hours. More than 300 social media users flooded to comments where they tagged their friends and family, with many raving about the summer must-have. Scotland's number one secret beach revealed One person said: ''We could do with this for caravan days at the beach.'' A mum chimed in: ''Thank you for sharing! This will be perfect for Disneyland Paris for when my two get tired and it's the cheapest I've ever seen them!'' A third only had rave reviews to share, writing: ''We was gifted one today and it's great!'' Why caravan holidays are so underrated CARAVAN park holidays are a British staple. And with the cost of living crisis wreaking havoc on Britain's purses, more of us are turning to them for an affordable break. Josie O'Brien, Senior Digital Writer on Fabulous, weighs in on why she thinks caravan holidays are seriously underrated... WHEN I was a child, my mum used to collect the £9.50 holiday vouchers in The Sun. She'd use them to book a couple of nights away at a caravan park during the school holidays. As an adult, I fully appreciate the convenience of a humble caravan holiday. No faffing about with passports, no luggage limits and no bog-standard hotel breakfast of stale toast and grey eggs. I still love caravan holidays as an adult. In a world of doing everything for the 'gram, a caravan park brings you back to basics. There's no obligation to get dressed up, no stress to fit a million picturesque excursions in one week and I don't find myself flustered in tourist hot spots like abroad. I love going to coastal caravan parks and strolling along the beach parade. My highlight is always fresh mussels, ice-creams and classic pubs to grab an afternoon tipple in. And then, of course, there's the cost. Staying in a caravan is definitely way cheaper than my international trips. With no expensive hotel bills and the ability to cook my own meals, I'm spending hundreds less than I would abroad. I've had some of my best and most relaxing holidays in caravans. Maybe I'll buy my own one day. ''What a cracking price,'' someone else couldn't believe the offer. More B&Q bargains to look for If you've decided to race to the local B&Q this week, there are also plenty of other buys to look for, such as this incredible £5 plant that will keep flowering until the first frost. The much-loved retailer is also selling a ''lovely'' fire pit with BBQ grill that costs just £25 and will be perfect for garden parties.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Inside 200-year-old abandoned tunnel network discovered under UK village after being ‘LOST' for decades
A 'LOST' tunnel from nearly 200 years ago has been discovered under a UK village. The tunnel has been out of use since the 1960s, but it was recently uncovered in a "fantastic" discovery. 3 3 3 Port Dinorwic Tunnel in North Wales was uncovered by Disused Railway Tunnels UK after a failed attempt last year. The tunnel, built in 1824, was once an integral part of the slate trade. Part of the wider Padarn Railway, the almost 100 yard tunnel connected the quarries at Llanberis to Port Dinowic. Further developments were made in 1843 when a rope-worked incline and a 92 yard tunnel between Port Dinorwic and Penscoins were built. This addition served to transport slate from the quarries to the waterside before it was carried around the UK via boats and trains. It also served as a kind of commuter route for workers before a more formalised service was introduced. The tunnel ceased use in 1861 and was blocked off before being infilled and becoming overgrown. In a trip to the area last year, Vince from Disused Railway Tunnels UK was unable to locate the tunnel. He told North Wales Live: "I couldn't see any evidence of the portal, even the shaft wasn't visible so possibly the tunnel may well be totally lost." The difficulty in finding the tunnel was caused by it having been bricked up until recently which left it "very well hidden from view." Inside 'gateway to underworld' underneath 1,800-year-old city which holds 'toxic' secret that scientists 'can't explain' Vince later returned to the village after the owners of a commercial property at the tunnel's entrance at Port Dinorwic contacted him. Speaking about the successful find, he said: "A massive thank you to Robert for the invitation to visit Port Dinorwic Tunnel and also to Iwan for showing us the way on the day and displaying patience while we mooched about in the tunnel. "What a fantastic day. Vince was shown around by Iwan Rees-Jones who said: "It's a privilege to work in what used to be the vital link for Welsh slate. Vince took photographs of the discovery which was appreciated by locals whose family history is intertwined with the tunnel. Locals either have direct or ancestral links to the tunnel and its trains including the Amalthaea, a steam locomotive that ran on the railway. One resident said: "My husband's great grandfather was one of Amalthaea's drivers. "We have his grandfather's old train tokens also, which he used to get to and from work as a slate splitter and dresser in Dinorwig. "What a stunning set of photographs, a real treat." Another local reminisced on earlier memories with friends when they would follow the disused narrow gauge lines in the 1960s. He said: "There were many tunnels leading into the mines but we never ventued into them.
