Rich Cross, known as the 'Service Station King', has spent over a decade visiting all 97 official UK service stations. He has now revealed the biggest red flags to look out for and his top picks.
Service Station Red Flags
Rich explains that busy sites are a major warning sign. 'If you're getting poor customer service because it's too busy, you're less likely to return. People want to be able to pop in and out quickly if they need to. If the toilets are a mess, that's a big red flag.' He also highlights the condition of the road through the site, noting that potholes are a significant problem, especially for lorry drivers who are the most regular customers.
Standout Service Stations
While selecting a single favourite from the 97 is impossible, Rich maintains a collection of stations that have genuinely impressed him. 'The iconic one is Lancaster Services on the M6. It's got the Pennine Tower that towers above the site. Back in the day it used to have a restaurant at the top with views of Lancashire but unfortunately that's closed now.' He also mentions Charnock Richard, Keele, and Leicester Forest East, which have bridges where you can sit above the motorway and eat your food. Newer sites like Leeds Skelton Lake and Rotherham are trying to blend into the environment, with one featuring a large country park behind it with a 2k walk.
The Perfect Service Station
Rich describes the ideal service station as having a variety of offers to cater for different customers. 'The more brands you have in the building the better, it gives people options.' Clean toilet and shower facilities are crucial, as are plenty of EV chargers. Ease of access is also important, with online sites directly on the motorway preferred over offroad sites that require extra driving.
The UK's Best Service Stations
Gloucester, Tebay, Beaconsfield, Rugby, and Cairn Lodge are frequently cited as the UK's finest. Rich offers his honest verdict: 'Gloucester, Tebay and Cairn Lodge are all run by the same company, so they have the same style. They have a farm shop style with locally sourced produce made freshly on the day. They are all very landscaped with plenty of green space.' Rugby, opened in 2021, is fantastically landscaped with plenty of EV charging and well laid out despite being a junction site. Beaconsfield used to have the UK's only Wetherspoons and offers about 15 different brands, along with significant investment in EV charging.
