Any good services on M6/M5?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm driving back down to Dorset for the Christmas holidays this wkend, woohoo!
However the times of the ferry mean I'll be in Holyhead at around midnight meaning a through the night cruise down to Dorset. Obviously it'll probably be a good idea to plan some stops on route to keep me awake...
Any of you motorway network regulars know any 'half decent' 24 hour services on either the M6 or the M5 where you can actually get out the car and have a coffee or something, made the mistake last year of stopping at a garage with only a night-hatch which wasn't ideal!
Thanks in advance
I'm driving back down to Dorset for the Christmas holidays this wkend, woohoo!
However the times of the ferry mean I'll be in Holyhead at around midnight meaning a through the night cruise down to Dorset. Obviously it'll probably be a good idea to plan some stops on route to keep me awake...
Any of you motorway network regulars know any 'half decent' 24 hour services on either the M6 or the M5 where you can actually get out the car and have a coffee or something, made the mistake last year of stopping at a garage with only a night-hatch which wasn't ideal!
Thanks in advance
Edited by -crookedtail- on Monday 15th December 12:38
te as one another - would it be best to take some cans of red bull and some crisps in the car and carry on going?I know some good services on the M6 but they're north of where you'll be, for sake of completeness though gotta mention Tebay services
Hi mate.
Im not sure on whether these are 24hr services or not but the best heading southbound on the M5 are:
Micheal Wood
Sedgemoor
The ones at Bristol just after the bridge (Cant remember the name)
After that the services seem to go down hill. Bridgewater would be your best bet but even during the day its quite poor.
Hope that helps
Im not sure on whether these are 24hr services or not but the best heading southbound on the M5 are:
Micheal Wood
Sedgemoor
The ones at Bristol just after the bridge (Cant remember the name)
After that the services seem to go down hill. Bridgewater would be your best bet but even during the day its quite poor.
Hope that helps
The Hollies on the A5 at Cannock - turn off the M6 at junction 12 just before the toll road and take the 1st exit. It is about a mile down on your left.
It looks like it could fall down any minute but they do a fantastic breakfast. The graffiti in the bogs is usually good for a chuckle.
It looks like it could fall down any minute but they do a fantastic breakfast. The graffiti in the bogs is usually good for a chuckle.
Stopped there many times on the way to and from nicks around the country.Ok, as a regular M5 user, here's my guide to the ok, the bad, and the truly terrible services....
Starting at the top, Frankley (Birmingham) services. I don't stop here often, the food is average, prices normal for a service station, facilities so-so. Keep going to Strensham if you can.
Strensham (nr. Tewkesbury) is fairly good - usually clean, if busy. Never had any food which is particularly bad, although I find it a little expensive, even by service station standards. Probably the one to aim for on the first 50 miles.
Michael Wood Services (around half way between Gloucester and Bristol) isn't particularly memorable - distinctly average.
Gordano Services (South Bristol) is probably the one I use the most, purely because it's half way between my regular destinations. However, the Burger King and KFC are distinctly hit-and-miss as to whether you actually get what you order. Usually clean though.
Sedgemoor Services (South of Weston Super Mud) - much the same as Gordano.
Bridgwater - not directly on the motorway, so I don't use this one unless absolutely desperate.
Taunton Deane - Fair but not brilliant - don't go late evening if you need a bite to eat - always found there to be very little choice and what there is is expensive.
Cullompton - Not too bad, but unless you're getting off the M5 before Exeter, you might as well do the extra few miles and go to Exeter Services.
Exeter - Probably the best of the bunch, even if it's not directly off the motorway. Full facilities, usually clean, food price fairly average, and usually fairly decent.
HTH
Starting at the top, Frankley (Birmingham) services. I don't stop here often, the food is average, prices normal for a service station, facilities so-so. Keep going to Strensham if you can.
Strensham (nr. Tewkesbury) is fairly good - usually clean, if busy. Never had any food which is particularly bad, although I find it a little expensive, even by service station standards. Probably the one to aim for on the first 50 miles.
Michael Wood Services (around half way between Gloucester and Bristol) isn't particularly memorable - distinctly average.
Gordano Services (South Bristol) is probably the one I use the most, purely because it's half way between my regular destinations. However, the Burger King and KFC are distinctly hit-and-miss as to whether you actually get what you order. Usually clean though.
Sedgemoor Services (South of Weston Super Mud) - much the same as Gordano.
Bridgwater - not directly on the motorway, so I don't use this one unless absolutely desperate.
Taunton Deane - Fair but not brilliant - don't go late evening if you need a bite to eat - always found there to be very little choice and what there is is expensive.
Cullompton - Not too bad, but unless you're getting off the M5 before Exeter, you might as well do the extra few miles and go to Exeter Services.
Exeter - Probably the best of the bunch, even if it's not directly off the motorway. Full facilities, usually clean, food price fairly average, and usually fairly decent.
HTH
Edited by GTO Scott on Monday 15th December 18:56
GTO Scott said:
Ok, as a regular M5 user, here's my guide to the ok, the bad, and the truly terrible services....
Starting at the top, Frankley (Birmingham) services. I don't stop here often, the food is average, prices normal for a service station, facilities so-so. Keep going to Strensham if you can.
Strensham (nr. Tewkesbury) is fairly good - usually clean, if busy. Never had any food which is particularly bad, although I find it a little expensive, even by service station standards. Probably the one to aim for on the first 50 miles.
Michael Wood Services (around half way between Gloucester and Bristol) isn't particularly memorable - distinctly average.
Gordano Services (South Bristol) is probably the one I use the most, purely because it's half way between my regular destinations. However, the Burger King and KFC are distinctly hit-and-miss as to whether you actually get what you order. Usually clean though.
Sedgemoor Services (South of Weston Super Mud) - much the same as Gordano.
Bridgwater - not directly on the motorway, so I don't use this one unless absolutely desperate.
Taunton Deane - Fair but not brilliant - don't go late evening if you need a bite to eat - always found there to be very little choice and what there is is expensive.
Cullompton - Not too bad, but unless you're getting off the M5 before Exeter, you might as well do the extra few miles and go to Exeter Services.
Exeter - Probably the best of the bunch, even if it's not directly off the motorway. Full facilities, usually clean, food price fairly average, and usually fairly decent.
HTH
glad you posted it, they're all crap. better looking at 5minutes away.com i think. plenty of places just off the motorway that aren't ripp offStarting at the top, Frankley (Birmingham) services. I don't stop here often, the food is average, prices normal for a service station, facilities so-so. Keep going to Strensham if you can.
Strensham (nr. Tewkesbury) is fairly good - usually clean, if busy. Never had any food which is particularly bad, although I find it a little expensive, even by service station standards. Probably the one to aim for on the first 50 miles.
Michael Wood Services (around half way between Gloucester and Bristol) isn't particularly memorable - distinctly average.
Gordano Services (South Bristol) is probably the one I use the most, purely because it's half way between my regular destinations. However, the Burger King and KFC are distinctly hit-and-miss as to whether you actually get what you order. Usually clean though.
Sedgemoor Services (South of Weston Super Mud) - much the same as Gordano.
Bridgwater - not directly on the motorway, so I don't use this one unless absolutely desperate.
Taunton Deane - Fair but not brilliant - don't go late evening if you need a bite to eat - always found there to be very little choice and what there is is expensive.
Cullompton - Not too bad, but unless you're getting off the M5 before Exeter, you might as well do the extra few miles and go to Exeter Services.
Exeter - Probably the best of the bunch, even if it's not directly off the motorway. Full facilities, usually clean, food price fairly average, and usually fairly decent.
HTH
Edited by GTO Scott on Monday 15th December 18:56
Famous Graham said:
There's one near Lancaster with a air traffic control tower type thing. That's replenished me on occasion whilst travelling north at ungodly hours.
that would be Forton, also known as Lancaster services now. Bit too far north for the OP.Hilton Park on the M6 is to be avoided at all costs.
Southbound, Stafford services probably best of the bunch on that bit of the journey. If you are SURE you can't make it up to Tebay, that is.
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff