Spin_bowler
MB Enthusiast
I know that some on here drive the length and breadth of the land for a living. For others, like me, driving isn’t the day job but forms a significant part of my working week. I look after accounts all over the UK for a small company so can be at all four points of the compass in the course of a week.
The most depressing thing about the driving I find is the scourge that is the Motorway Service Area. Be it a Moto, Roadchef or whatever they are all spectacularly crap, overpriced and underwhelming. There is the celebrated exception of Tebay on the North section of the M6 but that is very much the one that proves the rule in my opinion.
I thought that, using the collective might of the forum it would be a good idea to share local knowledge and inform others of sensible alternatives to a particular motorway services that they could consider when out and about.
The rules of engagement are simple, the alternative location should be within a Junction or two of the suggested service station and provide at least some of the services that a driver might be seeking at that services. I’m not suggesting it need be more glamourous, it could, for example just be cheaper, but if there are any hidden gems of pubs serving decent food or nice B&B’s instead of Motorway Travelodges then that would be a bonus
I’ll kick off with a couple that I use regularly.
Instead of South Mimms on the M25 (J23).
Take J22 (St Albans) and use the Colney Fields retail Park. It is actually less time off the motorway than the proper services at J23 has a Sainsbury’s petrol station which has toilets and a reasonable shop and most importantly supermarket priced petrol. The retail park has at least four alternative eating options in the Sainsbury’s and M&S and 30 minute parking spaces by the doors which generally have some free. There’s also a McDonalds on the main roundabout if burgers are your thing.
Instead of Reading on the M4 (J11)
Take J12 (Theale) and take the A4 towards Reading and there is a retail park almost immediately with a petrol station, McDonalds and Sainsbury’s on it.
Sorry for the long post and I’m sure someone will be along to say that there is a Big Chief I-Spy book on the subject or similar but I’d be up for any tips that made my journey’s more enjoyable. Has anyone else got any gems?
The most depressing thing about the driving I find is the scourge that is the Motorway Service Area. Be it a Moto, Roadchef or whatever they are all spectacularly crap, overpriced and underwhelming. There is the celebrated exception of Tebay on the North section of the M6 but that is very much the one that proves the rule in my opinion.
I thought that, using the collective might of the forum it would be a good idea to share local knowledge and inform others of sensible alternatives to a particular motorway services that they could consider when out and about.
The rules of engagement are simple, the alternative location should be within a Junction or two of the suggested service station and provide at least some of the services that a driver might be seeking at that services. I’m not suggesting it need be more glamourous, it could, for example just be cheaper, but if there are any hidden gems of pubs serving decent food or nice B&B’s instead of Motorway Travelodges then that would be a bonus
I’ll kick off with a couple that I use regularly.
Instead of South Mimms on the M25 (J23).
Take J22 (St Albans) and use the Colney Fields retail Park. It is actually less time off the motorway than the proper services at J23 has a Sainsbury’s petrol station which has toilets and a reasonable shop and most importantly supermarket priced petrol. The retail park has at least four alternative eating options in the Sainsbury’s and M&S and 30 minute parking spaces by the doors which generally have some free. There’s also a McDonalds on the main roundabout if burgers are your thing.
Instead of Reading on the M4 (J11)
Take J12 (Theale) and take the A4 towards Reading and there is a retail park almost immediately with a petrol station, McDonalds and Sainsbury’s on it.
Sorry for the long post and I’m sure someone will be along to say that there is a Big Chief I-Spy book on the subject or similar but I’d be up for any tips that made my journey’s more enjoyable. Has anyone else got any gems?
lol
