Your UK motorway service station count

[Matt.GC]

So, anyone been to Poplar 2000/Lymm services recently? I think I last stopped there on the way home from Blackpool many years ago and it was awesome, used to be a favourite of mine when I was in the North West.

Designed as a 'truck stop', it had a free standing CrapDonald's drive through and a little outdoor shopping precinct that had some clean bogs, a couple of shops, a Greggs, a barbers, and a pub! Pub was awesome and served a good quality slap-up meal. But just seen some online that it's now just a pretty bog standard and boringly familiar Moto set-up, with a Costa and Cornish Pasty Co etc typical lineup.

 

[Bowser]

I can't say i've ever kept count but my work involves a lot of travelling around the country so i'd imagine i've been to at least 50 and probably way more.

Fleet Services is a favourite in the south of the generic options, mostly because it has a Pizza Express and the fountains outside. Beaconsfield is decent just for the food options (Nandos is a nice change).

There are a few more unique ones in the north that seem a bit more farm based. Can't remember the name unfortunately but there's one with a big pond and seating out the back.

Sadly the majority are pretty grim. Gone are the days of a sit down breakfast at the Little Chef!

 

[rob666]

That would be Tebay.

I can remember the upstairs at Forton!
We have a lovely blown up photo of it taken by my deceased father in law.
And we ate on the bridge cafe on Charnock Richard...with the Its A Knockout Final at Arena North (to be Camelot) next door.
It was used as the stage set for the film International Velvet with Liz Taylor.
Sad sad thoosie minutae.

Edit...
Oh dear.
That famous line...
"Not as good as it used to be"...reserved usually for Viz.
Tebay has suffered with its popularity, and is now getting repeated low reviews.
Another one bites the dust.

Pleased to say we will be overnighting at the services near Heathrow next month.
Can't wait...

 

[rob666]

Heston is my new addition, M4 westbound, above Heathrow,
Never share a motel room with two other thoosies.
Easy access to local kebabshops etc via footpath, nice pub a mile walk away.
All usual services next to travelodge.
New services always amuse me, and I have the need to explore.
Very good, loaded horse chestnut by the entrance.
I picked the low hanging fruit from the tree with a sleeve, much to the amusement of a nice american lady, who asked what I was up to.
I explained at length, all the strings and stuff, baking, holes, string, vinegar etc, and presented her with shelled and unshelled examples for her kids.
Clean and decent mixed facilities, with a greggs.
Bonus.
8/10

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Never share a motel room with two other thoosies.

I think we need the details of why you concluded this...

 

[rob666]

I think we need the details of why you concluded this...

Because two are possibly a little chunky, and may possibly snore, so spend the whole night kicking the other or poking them in the ribs from the next bed.
Two get woken every hour by the third drunken old thoosie going to the loo in the night.
I remember courtesy nightlights in other travelodges, instead we had three random switches near the door, and they seemed to move around in the night, and swapping themselves around.
The last poor thoosie didn't snore, but was kept awake by the other two all night.
Next time, single rooms please.
The conker tree was ace though Nutty.