Watford Gap northbound on the M1 in Northamptonshire has been ranked the UK's worst motorway service in a nationwide survey of 37,000 people by watchdog Transport Focus. The southbound side finished 119th out of 123 pit stops. Watford Gap north still received a satisfaction rating of 86%, down from 95% last year.
Survey Results and Online Reviews
Tripadvisor gives both Watford Gap services an average score of 2.6 out of five. Reviews in the past week alone slammed its "vile" and "disgusting" toilets, while another said: "This isn't just tired - it's sleepy and needs wakening up."
Watford Gap opened in 1959 at the same time as the M1, the UK's first major motorway. It was also a late night haunt for 1960s pop stars including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Owner Roadchef admitted the services was showing its age when, three years ago, it announced plans for its demolition and replacement with a new travel hub. Transport Focus says that since the survey was carried out, some food outlets at Watford Gap northbound have been refurbished.
Top Ranked Services
Top of the list, and 86 miles up the M1 from Watford Gap, is Welcome Break Rotherham, which only opened in January last year at a cost of £40million, and created around 230 jobs. The main amenity building, measuring 32,000 sq ft, includes food venue and shops, a gaming area, toilets, seating and a children's play area on the ground floor. An upper mezzanine floor includes further seating and a business lounge/remote working hub. Among the outlets are a Starbucks, Pret, Burger King, Chopstix, The Good Breakfast, KFC, Waitrose, and WHSmith. It also features electric vehicle charging, an outdoor exercise area, alongside dedicated facilities for HGV drivers, including a gym.
Tripadvisor gives it a score of 4.3 out of five, with reviews praising its "amazing" children's play area, and "helpful and happy staff". Second placed was Moto's Rugby services, followed by the firm's Sawtry, at junction A1 (M) in Huntingdon, Cambs.
Roadchef Investment and Accessibility Progress
Roadchef has also announced more than £300million of investment across its business over the next five years. The company also runs Bothwell services on the M74 in Scotland, which was second bottom in the survey, and next worst Taunton Deane going south on the M5 in Somerset.
In a statement, Roadchef said: "We take feedback from our customers very seriously and are committed to acting on the findings of the Transport Focus survey to continue improving the overall customer experience at Watford Gap. The 75-year lease extension secured this year at Watford Gap Northbound and Southbound services enables long-term, transformational investment in EV, service facilities and the overall customer experience."
Louise Collins, director at Transport Focus, said: "Motorway services have improved significantly over the years, and road users are seeing the benefit. There is still more to do, including on car parking, wayfinding and facilities for HGV drivers, and our survey will help us track progress in these areas in the years ahead."
Three-quarters of disabled visitors said the services catered well for their impairment, an increase of 13% since 2022 but still one of the lowest scores for a category in the survey. Ms Collins said: "We've also seen real progress on accessibility. It shows what can be achieved when the industry recognises an issue and works together to tackle it."
HGV drivers reported a 90% rate of satisfaction and so were less satisfied with facilities than the general public. Only 54% viewed HGV parking availability positively, 51% said the number of showers was sufficient and 42% were happy with the value of the parking package. Value for money was another metric rated lower, with no services scoring higher than 74% for the value of their food and drink. Overall satisfaction with the value of EV charging was 58%.
