The best motorway service stations in the UK
See the best motorway service stations in the UK to break up your next road trip
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Which UK service station is best?
When you’re on the road, especially with a car full of passengers, there’s no more welcome sight than an upcoming service station.
There are plenty of motorway service stations up and down the UK that offer catering, electric car charging, entertainment and downtime options.
Take a look at our top picks of the UK’s motorway service stations, so you know the best stops to rest and fuel up on your adventures.
Best motorway service station for food: Beaconsfield Services
Number of catering options: 16
Google rating: 4.2 out of 5 (based on 20,600 reviews)
Beaconsfield Services takes the crown for the most food options, with 16 tasty offerings.
Fast food and snacks hit differently when you’re on the road, and Beaconsfield has everything from restaurants to classic takeout options.
Treat yourself to fast-food favourites such as KFC and McDonald’s, or go all out with a Nando’s or Pizza Express. Chef’s kiss.
The only other service stations that come close to Beaconsfield’s offerings are Fleet Services (15 options) and Strensham and Gordano (each with 14 options).
If you’re a true foodie, make sure you stop on the M40 at J2 to see Beaconsfield in all its glory.
Best motorway service station for dogs: Swansea West
Dog options: Grass area plus access to Penllergaer Forest, puppuccino at Costa
Google rating: 3.7 out of 5 (based on 1,600 reviews)
Travelling is hard work for our furry pals as well – they deserve a break and a snack, too! For a real treat, take them to Swansea West Services.
Accessible from the M4 at J47 (also accessible to traffic on the A48 and the A483), this service station offers a grassy area next to the Travelodge hotel where you can let your dog stretch its legs.
That’s not the best of it... Swansea West Services is adjacent to Penllergaer Forest, providing easy access to a large woodland area that equates to the size of 96.5 football pitches!
Perhaps surprisingly, more than one-third of British pet-owners say they won’t travel without their pets.
While this fact does warm our hearts, it’s important to remember that you must stop and give your dog a break every two to four hours.
In fact, try to avoid taking them on road trips that exceed seven hours.
When you’ve finished your forest adventure, refuel by visiting the station’s Costa for a hot drink (a puppuccino for the pup, of course) and a sweet treat.
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Best for entertainment: Tebay Services
Downtime options: Duck pond, children’s play area, farm shop, outdoor dining terrace, barbecue
Google rating: 4.4 out of 5 (based on 18,200 reviews)
While the idea of a road trip is exciting, they can quickly become a pretty boring endeavour and there are only so many games of I-Spy you can play.
If you need a proper break with a bit more to offer than a McDonalds (although we love a Maccies stop..) then Tebay services is the one.
Arguably the UK’s most famous services, Tebay is a family-owned site in the scenic part of the M6.
You’ll find beautiful views, a farm shop, a duck pond, and even a barbecue shed.
Sitting for too long in the car can be a major cause of fatigue; take the opportunity to stimulate your mind and body by visiting a service station that promises more than just a big car park and a bit of grub.
Best for the kids: Gloucester Services
Children’s perks: Children’s play area, dining terrace, pond, changing places, grass area, organic food
Google rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 19,200 reviews)
Few struggles of parent life can be as intense as a long road trip with little ones. It’s fun at first, but then the boredom and “Are we there yet?” questions begin...
You should hope you pass Gloucester Services on the M5 between J11A and J12, because it’s the perfect spot to let your children burn off some steam before the next part of your journey.
For burning off energy, there’s a children’s play area, a large area to walk around, and even a pond for duck watching. There are also plenty of spots to enjoy a hearty meal.
By the time they’ve had some food and tired themselves out running around and having fun, they may even fall asleep for the rest of the car trip.
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Best for electric cars: Gretna Services
EV charging types: Six
Google rating: 4 out of 5 stars (based on 6,500 reviews)
Don’t be scared to take your electric car on the motorway – while they are most efficient at speeds around 50-60mph, the wide charging network in the UK makes it easy to get a boost.
A great place to stop and charge up is Gretna Services on the A74(M) between J21 and J22.
You’ll have a choice of six electric charging options, including Tesla Supercharger and Applegreen.
Charging your car will give you a chance to refuel as well. Choose from one of six catering options, including Burger King and Starbucks.
As the nation moves towards total electric vehicle domination, more service stations are adapting their offerings to meet demands.
So, while Gretna isn’t the only service station with an impressive six charging points, it is the highest-rated one.
Other service stations putting EV drivers first with six options include South Mimms, Abington, Hartshead Moor and Chester.
Service stations in the UK
There are 105 service stations across the UK currently, so there are plenty of places to stop off and give yourself and your car a boost.
It’s important for our health and safety to take a break on long trips, and an impressive service spot makes this even more enjoyable.