A 28-year-old man has dedicated over a decade to visiting every motorway service station in the UK, earning the title 'Service Station King'. Rich Cross has travelled to all 97 stations in his two-door Smart car and shares crucial advice for drivers.
Red Flags at Service Stations
Cross warns drivers to watch for potholes and unclean facilities. 'If the toilets are a mess, that's a big red flag,' he says. 'The condition of the road through the site is a big thing for me, especially for lorry drivers who are the most regular customers.'
Best and Worst Service Stations
His top-rated stations include Gloucester, Tebay, Beaconsfield, Rugby and Cairn Lodge. The worst ones share common issues like poor road surfaces and dirty toilets. Cross highlights that 'the more brands you have in the building, the better' and considers EV charging points essential.
Online vs. Offline Sites
Cross explains two types of entrances: 'online' sites are directly on the motorway via a slip road, while 'offline' sites require leaving the motorway. 'Online sites are preferred because you don't have to faff around as much,' he states.
The Little-Known Rule
Most drivers are unaware of parking time limits. Cross reveals: '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, but some are in and out in five minutes.'
Quirky Stations
Some stations feature bridges where you can sit above the motorway and eat, like Charnock Richard (M6), Keele (M6) and Leicester Forest East (M1). Newer sites incorporate walking paths and green spaces.
Why Top Stations Excel
Gloucester, Tebay and Cairn Lodge are run by the same company and feature a farm-shop style with locally sourced produce. Rugby is one of the newest, well-landscaped stations. Beaconsfield offers 15 different brands and is the first stop on the M40 from London.
Cross also notes Lancaster Services on the M6 as iconic, with its Pennine Tower that once housed a restaurant with views of Lancashire, now closed.
