15-08-2022
Motorway Service Stations have been providing solace to long distance travellers for decades, but here in 2021, they offer much more than just a quick fuel stop and a coffee in a paper cup.
Service stations are now designed and have been expanded to be a place of entertainment and enjoyment on a long journey, with most offering at least washrooms, food courts and WiFi.
If you’re making a long journey, you may want to plan your trip around a service station, to ensure you get enough rest and have time to enjoy a refreshment before continuing on your journey.
The AA’s Charitable Trust carried out research back in 2018 to see how being tired can affect your driving and concentration. They found that a staggering 1 in 8 drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel and men being three times as likely to say they have fallen asleep at the wheel.
Skelton Lake Services, located just 2 miles outside Leeds City Centre, only recently opening in 2020, costing more than £64m. This service station has a focus on relaxation, with a wildlife centre, lake and a living roof, alongside outdoor seating areas and a children’s play park.
Location: Leeds Skelton Lake Services M1 J45, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS9 0AS.
Food and Beverages: Sourced Market, Starbucks, Burger King, KFC, Nando’s, Pizza Express, Harry Ramsden, LEON, Pasty Shop, Chopstix Noodles, Mi Casa Burritos, Urban Express, Upper Crust
Shops: Quicksilver, Spar
Facilities: Washroom, showers, accessible WC facilities, outdoor play area
Parking: 3 hours free of charge
Electric Charging Points: Yes
Located on the M1 motorway, Leicester Forest East is one of the busiest motorway service stations in the area. There’s plenty to do to give your legs a stretch after driving on the busy M1.
Location: Leicester Forest East, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE3 3GB
Food and Beverages: Burger King, KFC, Chopstix Noodle Bar, Harry Ramsden, Subway, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks, The Deli, The Good Breakfast
Shops: Waitrose, WHSmith
Facilities: Gaming area, showers, baby changing facilities
Parking: 2 hours free of charge
Electric Charging Points: Yes
Cobham Services is the largest service station in the UK. Located South West of London and conveniently on the M25 motorway, Cobham Service Station is the ideal services to stop off at if you want to relax, as there’s a landscaped area and a large lakeside terrace.
Inside, there’s a spacious food court, washroom facilities and Regus Business Centre with a range of meeting rooms and workstations.
Location: Cobham Motorway Service Area M25, KT11 3DB
Food and Beverages: Greggs, KFC, McDonalds, M&S Simply Food, Chozen Noodle & Sushi, Starbucks West Cornwall Past Co, Costa Express, Krispy Kreme, El Mexicana, Pizza Express, Nando’s
Shops: WHSmith, Top Gift
Facilities: Children’s Play Area, Toilets, Changing areas, Showers, Laundrette
Parking: 2 hours free of charge
Electric Charging Points: Yes
Cornwall Services is located in the heart of Cornwall, central to all of the attractions in the county. It is situated at the Victoria Interchange Junction of the A30 at Roche near Bodmin.
Location: Cornwall Services, Victoria, Roche, St Austell, PL26 8UF
Food and Beverages: Subway, McDonalds, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Cornish Pizza Kitchen, Rowe’s Cornish Bakers,
Shops: Co-op, WHSmith, Mango Surf, Saltrock
Facilities: Indoor soft play area, toilets, free WiFi, shower facilities, self-service laundrette, baby station, gaming area
Parking: 4 hours free of charge (coaches, commercial vehicles, HGV’s and campervans 2 hours free of charge)
Electric Charging Points: Yes