I visited the UK's best service station — couples even go on dates here

Metro

23-05-2025

As I arrive at Gloucester Services, just off the M5 (southbound), I feel like I could be on the set of the Teletubbies.
With its living roof, planted with grasses and wildflowers, it's a world away from the usual bleak service station experience of concrete, strip lights and queuing for a wee.
And it's this eco design – plus the seriously impressive farm shop, restaurant and duck pond – that has seen this motorway stop-off crowned the UK's favourite by consumer champion Which?.
The south-west services received the highest customer score of 85%, with one reviewer claiming that it was 'head and shoulders above all the others.'
As someone who's lived in Gloucestershire their entire life, I'll admit, I haven't spent much time here. So, I headed to the UK's best service station, to see what all the fuss is about.
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I visit with Millie, my seven-year-old daughter, and I'm struck by just how little Gloucester Services looks like your typical motorway station.
With high beams and sky light windows, it feels more like a huge, converted barn hosting a wedding, rather than a spot for weary travellers to grab a coffee and stretch their legs.
Forget the usual chain coffee and fast food – there's not a McDonalds or KFC in sight. Instead, Gloucester Services gives motorists a culinary experience more akin to restaurant dining.
Even the more 'upmarket' staples of M&S and Waitrose have been shunned here and in their place is a farm shop, that wouldn't look out of place in a posh part of London.
Here, all the products have been locally sourced from more than 130 regional producers within a 30-mile radius.
There's no need to sit in miserable plastic chairs scoffing a quick snack, either. There's indoor seating next to huge windows and a pretty terrace for alfresco dining overlooking a duck pond.
Motorist Ed Clarke, 41, from Bristol, told me: 'It feels a bit like being in a restaurant at a ski resort rather than next to the M5. It's amazingly well-catered for and so light and airy.'
Travelling with restless kids can be a nightmare, but rather than trying to keep them away from the usual arcade games and plush toys, there's split-level indoor play areas, made entirely out of wood, naturally.
Millie loves playing on the wooden bridges and slide, carefully positioned to allow me to keep an eye on here while enjoying my food.
Families are well catered for with areas for parent and child parking, bottle warming stations and baby food available to buy.
There's free parking for three hours and 24 electric car chargers, as well was accessible toilets, open 24 hours, and shower facilities.
Furry friends are also not forgotten with water bowls at every entrance and a designated, traffic free dog walk path, taking in the local surroundings.
While exploring this outdoor area I also noticed a couple of people making the most of the free WiFi and working away on their laptops. I make a note to try it for myself the next time we welcome a heatwave to this neck of the woods.
Inside the giant food hall, lies the farm shop. Fresh fruit and vegetables, a bakery, butcher's, deli and cheese counters and even a fishmonger – the supply of produce is the stuff of foodie dreams. I can see why so many local friends and family I've spoken to make time to visit.
There's even an Italian-style gelato stand run by local dairy farm, Wholly Gelato.
Carol, a fellow visitor from London who I chat to in the toilets, tells me that she and her husband are massive foodies and made a beeline for the farm shop.
'We've taken a 30-mile detour just to stop here for a bite to eat, and to stock up on some Gloucestershire goods to take back home,' she says.
We arrived around 5pm, just in time for an early dinner. I opted for a delicious Macaroni Cheese (£7.25) served with a generous portion of homemade chunky chips and a side of garden peas, which meant that Millie's plate of sausage and chips came to just £1.50, thanks to the 'kids eat free' deal offered to all parents.
Other freshly prepared menu items include beer battered cod, homemade steak pies, and a delicious smelling sweet potato and chickpea curry.
As a treat for the drive home, Millie picked up a Strawberry Macaron (£3.85) from The Patisserie Box – a local Cheltenham-based supplier – that was beautifully decorated with an edible chocolate daisy.
My meal was delicious – a far cry from the soggy pizzas on plastic trays I've eaten at other services in the country. This was more like the fare you'd get at a country pub. I'll be going back for another portion of those chips.
Chatting outside the school gates earlier this week, a friend of mine told me that before she and her husband had children, they often used to visit Gloucester Services for afternoon dates during their lunch hour at work.
After finally seeing it in all its glory (albeit 10 years after its opening) I can finally understand why. More Trending
Next time I'm in need of a scotch egg, locally grown fruit and veg, or even just a calm place to WFH, I'll be heading straight up the M5.
Which? asked more than 4,000 members for their views on UK services, rating categories such as prices in food/retail outlets, shops, food and drink selection, facilities, cleanliness, convenience and accessibility and outside space
Gloucester services, part of the Westmorland Family group, received five stars in almost every category with a customer score of 85 per cent.
They were closely followed by Tebay M6 services in Cumbria, another Westmorland offering, while Cairn Lodge on the M74 in Lanarkshire came third. It was only due to high prices where they lost stars.
Rugby's Moto Services also fared well, with four stars across almost every category. One customer said: 'Rugby is new and clean and on a nice day is perfect to break up your journey'.
At the other end of the scale, Moto's Bridgwater Services on the M5 came last. It scored 23 per cent and scored one star in all categories. Reviewers said facilities were cramped, overpriced facilities and the toilets 'smelt of stale urine'.
Other entries at the bottom of the table were Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire, Lancaster and Hilton Park in Staffordshire.
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