I Discovered a Hidden Gem in the UK: Service Stations Where Couples Go On Dates!

As I arrive at Gloucester Services, just off the M5 (Southbound), it feels as though I might be on the set of the Teletubbies.

With its living roof, planted with grasses and wildflowers It's a far cry from the typical dreary service station atmosphere with its concrete floors, fluorescent lighting, and waiting in line for services. wee .

And it’s this eco design – plus the seriously impressive farm cafe, eatery, and duck pond — this motorway service area has been named Britain’s favorite by consumer advocate Which?.

The south-west services received the highest customer score of 85%, with one reviewer claiming that it was ‘head and shoulders above all the others.’

As someone who’s lived in Gloucestershire their entire life, I’ll admit, I haven’t spent much time here. So, I headed to the UK’s best service station, to see what all the fuss is about.

Subscribe to The Getaway mailing list

Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here .

Comment now Is there a particular service station you love—or one you absolutely wouldn’t go back to? Share your thoughts. Comment Now

First impressions

When I visit with Millie, my seven-year-old daughter, I am taken aback by how different Gloucester Services appears compared to a usual motorway service area.

Featuring bright headlights and skylight windows, it resembles more of a spacious transformed barn holding a wedding ceremony than an ideal place for tired travelers to stop for a cup of coffee and rest their legs.

Ditch the typical chain coffee shops and fast-food joints—there’s neither a McDonald’s nor a KFC here. In their place, Gloucester Services offers drivers a dining experience similar to what you’d find at a restaurant.

Despite being considered upscale brands like M&S and Waitrose have not found favor here. Instead, there’s a farm shop that would fit right in with an affluent area of London.

At this place, all items come directly from over 130 local suppliers located within a 30-mile range around here.

You don’t have to sit on uncomfortable plastic chairs eating a hurried bite. Instead, enjoy indoor seating beside large windows or relax at an attractive outdoor area perfect for al fresco meals with a view of a duck pond.

Motorist Ed Clarke, aged 41 and from Bristol, shared his thoughts with me: "This place reminds me of dining at a restaurant in a ski resort instead of beside the M5 highway. It’s incredibly well-equipped and very spacious."

Facilities

Traveling with energetic children can be quite challenging, yet instead of avoiding typical video game zones and soft toys, consider places that offer tiered indoor playgrounds crafted solely from wood, as nature intended.

Millie enjoys frolicking on the wooden bridges and slides, thoughtfully placed so I can easily watch over her while savoring my meal.

Families are well catered for with areas for parent and child parking, bottle warming stations and baby food available to buy.

There’s free parking for three hours and 24 electric car chargers, as well was accessible toilets, open 24 hours, and shower facilities.

Furry friends are also not forgotten with water bowls at every entrance and a designated, traffic free dog walk path, taking in the local surroundings.

While exploring this outdoor area I also noticed a couple of people making the most of the free WiFi and working away on their laptops. I make a note to try it for myself the next time we welcome a heatwave to this neck of the woods.

Farm shop

Within the vast food court, you'll find the farm store. It offers fresh fruits and veggies, a bakery section, a butchery counter, a delicatessen, and cheese stalls, along with a fish market—its range of products caters perfectly to those who have an affinity for good cuisine. This explains why numerous local acquaintances and relatives I've talked to ensure they carve out time to stop by.

There’s also an Italian-style gelato stall operated by the local dairy farm, Wholly Gelato.

Carol, another tourist I chatted with in the restroom, mentioned to me that she and her spouse are big fans of good food and headed straight for the farm shop.

'We've gone out of our way for a 30-mile detour simply to have a meal here and purchase some Gloucestershire products to bring back home,' she explains.

Food and drink

We got there around 5 pm, perfect timing for an early dinner. I chose a tasty Macaroni Cheese (£7.25), accompanied by a large serving of homemade thick-cut fries and a helping of garden peas. Thanks to their 'kids eat free' offer for parents, Millie’s meal consisting of sausages and chips only cost £1.50.

Other newly made menu options feature beer-battered cod, handcrafted steak pies, and a tantalizingly aromatic sweet potato and chickpea curry.

To enjoy during her drive back home, Millie bought a Strawberry Macaron (£3.85) from The Patisserie Box — a local supplier based in Cheltenham — which featured an elegantly placed edible chocolate daisy on top.

The food was delightful—vastly different from the limp pizzas served on flimsy plastic platters that I've had at similar events elsewhere in this nation. It reminded me of what you might find at an upscale rural tavern. I’m planning to return just for seconds of those fries.

Final verdict

Chatting outside the school gates earlier this week, a friend of mine told me that before she and her husband had children, they often used to visit Gloucester Services for afternoon dates during their lunch hour at work.

After finally seeing it in all its glory (albeit 10 years after its opening) I can finally understand why.

Next time I’m in need of a scotch egg, locally grown fruit and veg, or even just a calm place to WFH, I’ll be heading straight up the M5.

The best and worst UK service stations

Which? sought input from over 4,000 members regarding their opinions on UK services. They evaluated various categories including pricing at food and retail establishments, shop availability, variety of food and drinks, facility quality, cleanliness standards, ease of access, and outdoor spaces.

Gloucester services Part of the Westmorland Family group earned five stars in nearly all categories, with an impressive customer rating of 85 percent.

They were quickly trailed by Tebay M6 services in Cumbria, yet another offering from Westmorland, whilst Cairn Lodge On the M74 in Lanarkshire, they secured the third position. They only lost stars because of high costs.

Rugby’s Moto Services It also performed admirably, earning four stars in nearly all categories. A reviewer commented, “The Rugby station is modern and spotless, and on a pleasant day, it’s ideal for breaking up your trip.”

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Moto’s Bridgwater Services On the M5 arrived at the end. It received a score of 23 percent and earned only one star across all categories. Critics mentioned that the amenities were constricted, excessively priced, and the restrooms "had an odor reminiscent of old urine."

The other items listed below the table were Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire, Lancaster and Hilton Park in Staffordshire.

Would you like to share a tale?

Get in touch by emailing LifestyleTeam@.co.uk .

For even more unmissable travel news, features and inspiration in your inbox each week, sign up to 's The Getaway newsletter.