Best service stations

We've crunched the numbers and crowned the UK's best service stations to take a break.

Cobham– The crème de la crème of service stations

Cobham on the M25 is the top dog in our rankings, and it’s easy to see why. This service station ticks all the boxes. The food court offers a variety of choices, from Leon to Nando's to Pizza Express, satisfying even the pickiest of eaters. Coffee lovers can pick between Starbucks and Pret for that essential caffeine hit. With shops like WHSmith and M&S, you can grab a snack or a book for the road. Parking? No problem. Cobham offers 980 spaces, so you won't be hunting for a space for long. But it’s not just about quantity—Cobham also scores high on quality with top-notch facilities. No wonder it’s number one!

While Cobham leads the pack, the other nine service stations aren’t far behind. Beaconsfield and Fleet have standout food and coffee options. Hopwood Park shines with top EV facilities. Birchanger Green, South Mimms, and Cambridge balance shopping and parking, making them convenient stops. Wetherby and Exeter are solid choices for northern and southern routes. Each of these stations delivers a tip-top experience, no matter where you're headed.

With 35%* of drivers choosing stops based on food, you need a pit stop that delivers when your stomach starts rumbling.

Cobham takes the top spot with 13 different food options, ensuring no one leaves hungry. You'll find favourites like KFC, Chopstix, and even independent retailers. Whether you’re after a quick bite or a sit-down meal, Cobham has something to satisfy every appetite.

Just behind Cobham, Beaconsfield offers 12 food choices that are sure to please. From Greggs to Wetherspoons, you’ll find a wide range of options that cater to all tastes.

Baldock and Cambridge each offer eight food outlets. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty meal or a quick snack, both stations have you covered with popular chains like Pizza Express and McDonald’s.

Our top 10 are dependable places to grab a bite and stretch your legs.

We've brewed up a list of the stations that rank best for their coffee options. With people spending about £8.20* on hot drinks during their journey, it seems pricey. But, for those needing a coffee break, it's worth every penny.

Fleet on the M3 tops our list with 3 coffee outlets, including Pret, Starbucks, and even a drive-thru Starbucks option. If you want a quick grab-and-go or prefer a relaxed coffee experience, Fleet has you covered.

Other service stations (as shown in the table) also score highly, as they offer two solid coffee outlets each. So, wherever you're travelling, it's likely you'll never be too far from your next caffeine fix.

When you're on a road trip, it’s not just about reaching the destination—it’s about enjoying the journey. And what better way to do that than with a little retail therapy? These are the stops worth pulling over for.

Cornwall service station

Cornwall service station on the A30 has 5 retail shops and stands out for the variety that it offers. Start at the Co-op to grab those must-have road trip snacks. Then wander over to Saltrock for surf-inspired clothing that will have you feeling like you’ve already hit the beach.

Brits favourite service station shop

Let’s be honest, nothing says ‘comfort on the go’ like a visit to Marks and Spencer (M&S). Whether it’s for a Percy Pig fix or a quality sandwich, M&S is the service station superstar. Almost half (47%) of people say that M&S is their preferred shop when visiting service stations*. 8 of the top 10 service stations for shops have an M&S. Here's where to find one on your next road trip:

• Baldock
• Beaconsfield
• Birch
• Cambridge
• Blyth
• Cobham
• Peterborough

Parking shouldn’t be a pain. These are the top service stations where finding a parking space is easy-peasy.

Cobham takes the top spot with a whopping 980 spaces. On the busy M25, this station ensures you can park up without the hassle. Beaconsfield secures the second spot with 585 parking spaces. It’s not just great for food and shopping—it’s also got plenty of spaces. Skelton Lake comes in third with 550 spaces, so you won't be circling the car park for long.

What you need to know about parking

Most top service stations offer free parking for the first two hours. After that, expect to pay—like Cobham, which charges £15 for 24 hours so plan your stops to avoid surprises.

Whether you’re recharging yourself or your car, these are the stations with the best EV charging facilities.

Hopwood Park takes the crown with an impressive 73 charging points. Exeter isn’t far behind with 70, and Grantham North rounds out the top three with 56. These stations are leading the charge (pun intended!), making it easy to power up and get on the road again.

Beyond the top 3, the other stations in our top 10 also offer good EV charging options. Giving you plenty of points to plug in whenever you need.

We all have that one service station we can’t help but look forward to. But which service stations do UK drivers love the most? We turned to the people who know best—you! Based on customer ratings, these are the service stations that have earned a special place in travellers hearts.

Tebay isn’t any old service station—it’s the number 1 customer favourite. This station offers more than just the basics. Drivers rave about the farm shop packed with locally sourced goodies. You’re in for a treat that’s miles ahead of the rest.

Taking the 2nd spot as a customer favourite is Gloucester. This station is the perfect blend of convenience and charm. Need a quick stop? Sure. But if you’ve got a few minutes, take in the countryside views.

Beaconsfield is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, ranking as the 3rd customer favourite and 2nd overall in our top 10 list. With a wide variety of food and shops, it’s the go-to for those who want a little bit of everything. No wonder it’s a favourite—this place knows how to keep everyone happy.

Parking shouldn’t be a pain. These are the top service stations where finding a parking space is easy-peasy.

Cobham takes the top spot with a whopping 980 spaces. On the busy M25, this station ensures you can park up without the hassle. Beaconsfield secures the second spot with 585 parking spaces. It’s not just great for food and shopping—it’s also got plenty of spaces. Skelton Lake comes in third with 550 spaces, so you won't be circling the car park for long.

What you need to know about parking

Most top service stations offer free parking for the first two hours. After that, expect to pay—like Cobham, which charges £15 for 24 hours so plan your stops to avoid surprises.

Whether you’re recharging yourself or your car, these are the stations with the best EV charging facilities.

Hopwood Park takes the crown with an impressive 73 charging points. Exeter isn’t far behind with 70, and Grantham North rounds out the top three with 56. These stations are leading the charge (pun intended!), making it easy to power up and get on the road again.

Beyond the top 3, the other stations in our top 10 also offer good EV charging options. Giving you plenty of points to plug in whenever you need.

We all have that one service station we can’t help but look forward to. But which service stations do UK drivers love the most? We turned to the people who know best—you! Based on customer ratings, these are the service stations that have earned a special place in travellers hearts.

Tebay isn’t any old service station—it’s the number 1 customer favourite. This station offers more than just the basics. Drivers rave about the farm shop packed with locally sourced goodies. You’re in for a treat that’s miles ahead of the rest.

Taking the 2nd spot as a customer favourite is Gloucester. This station is the perfect blend of convenience and charm. Need a quick stop? Sure. But if you’ve got a few minutes, take in the countryside views.

Beaconsfield is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, ranking as the 3rd customer favourite and 2nd overall in our top 10 list. With a wide variety of food and shops, it’s the go-to for those who want a little bit of everything. No wonder it’s a favourite—this place knows how to keep everyone happy.