Road trip season is well upon us with thousands of Brits likely to hit the road in the next few weeks. But even the best road trip can be ruined by visiting inadequate and grubby motorway services. Luckily for those heading southwest, they’ll find the exact opposite. That’s because one service station in Gloucestershire has just been named the best in the country.
According to a new survey by consumer group Which?, Gloucester Services on the M5 has come out on top, scoring 85% overall and receiving five-star ratings in almost every category. The survey asked 4,000 people to rate 90 service stations based on eight key criteria, including food and drink quality, cleanliness, facilities, convenience and outside space.
Gloucester stood out from the rest thanks to its impressive range of locally sourced produce, stylish facilities, and a unique farm shop that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end village.
Inside, travellers will find a cheese counter, patisserie, deli and even a fish counter, all displaying products from more than 130 local and regional producers.
One visitor told Which?: “Gloucester is a pleasure, has great staff, nice food, a farm shop, a garden with a lakeside walk and dog walking. They deserve every success.”
Another praised the peaceful setting and said the services were “head and shoulders above all the others”.
Run by the Westmorland Family and opened in 2014, Gloucester Services was set up in partnership with the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, a charity that receives £500,000 a year from the site to invest in local communities.
Unlike typical service stations filled with fast-food chains, Gloucester puts the focus on fresh, handmade food.
Meals are prepared from scratch in their kitchen using real ingredients, while the shop also sells handmade sausages, British charcuterie, raw-milk cheeses, and seasonal patisserie items.
The site has dedicated walking areas, outdoor seating with views of the Cotswolds, 24 EV charging points, and even a lake.
It’s also fully accessible, with Changing Places facilities, free showers, and toilets open round-the-clock.
Parking is free for the first three hours, with longer stays available for a fee that includes a voucher to use in the shop or kitchen.
And while dogs are no longer allowed inside the main dining areas, they’re still welcome in foyer zones, with water bowls and dedicated dog walks provided.
