A new study by Northgate Vehicle Hire has identified Exeter as the UK's best motorway service station, based on factors including electric vehicle charging points, food outlets, parking costs, green spaces, and hotel ratings. The research comes as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommends a 15-minute break every two hours of driving, especially during the busy Christmas travel period.
Exeter Services topped the list with 56 electric vehicle charging points, 13 food and drink outlets, and two hours of free parking. Newport Pagnell Southbound on the M1 ranked second, praised for its green spaces and variety of eateries. Fleet Services on the M3 came third, featuring 26 rapid chargers, 16 food outlets, and a piano partnership with charity Electric Umbrella.
Wetherby Services and Cambridge Services completed the top five. Spencer Davi, sales and marketing director at Northgate Vehicle Hire, said: “When you drive for a job, a pleasant service station to stop at can make a real difference. The stations topping our list really do stand out for making life easier for people who drive for a living.”
The study drew data from Motorway Services Online for ratings, food outlets, and parking costs; Google Maps for hotel ratings; and Zapmap for charging points. Dual service stations were ranked together if they shared the same hotel and total scores. Full methodology is available online.
