'UK's best motorway services' has 56 EV chargers and 13 food and drink outlets
As the festive season approaches, the debate over which service station is the best pit stop for drivers is sure to heat up. With many Brits planning to hit the road to visit loved ones or embark on winter escapes across the nation, the question of where to take a break is more pertinent than ever.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents advises motorists to take a 15-minute breather every two hours when driving. Whether it's a quick pause to recharge, stretch your legs or grab a bite, regular breaks are crucial to ensure safe travels.
With this in mind, it's always a bonus to have a decent place to rest. Northgate Vehicle Hire has conducted a study considering factors such as the number of electric charging points, parking costs and green spaces.
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Its research crowned Exeter as the UK's top service station. Catering to all types of travellers, from long-distance drivers to those needing a quick refreshment stop, the service station boasts 56 electric vehicle charging points, 13 food and drink outlets, and offers free parking for two hours.
Coming in second place is Newport Pagnell Southbound, situated on the M1 between junctions 14 and 15. Offering ample green space for stretching your legs or letting your pets roam, the service station also provides a variety of food and drink options for refuelling.
Fleet Services, located on the M3 and a favourite stop-off for those en route to LEGOLAND Windsor, has been ranked third. It boasts 26 rapid charging points and 16 food and drink outlets, and in a unique partnership with charity Electric Umbrella, it also features a bright yellow piano for visitors to enjoy a musical interlude during their journey.
Wetherby Services and Cambridge Services are hot on its heels, ranking fourth and fifth respectively in the race for the UK's top service stations.
Spencer Davi, sales and marketing director at Northgate Vehicle Hire, said: "When you drive for a job, a pleasant service station to stop at can make a real difference. Our customers spend a lot of time on the road, so we understand the value of stopping somewhere clean, comfortable and well-equipped to take a proper break. The stations topping our list really do stand out for making life easier for people who drive for a living."
1: Exeter
Motorway: M5
Overall score: 71.67
2: Newport Pagnell Southbound
Motorway: M1
Overall score: 66.90
3: Fleet
Motorway: M3
Overall score: 64.58
4: Wetherby
Motorway: A1 (M)
Overall score: 60.25
5: Cambridge
Motorway: A14
Overall score: 59.32
6: Cobham
Motorway: M25
Overall score: 59.15
7: South Mimms
Motorway: M25
Overall score: 57.32
8: Ferrybridge
Motorway: M62
Overall score: 56.98
9: Reading Westbound
Motorway: M4
Overall score: 56.85
10: Scotch Corner
Motorway: A1 (M)
Overall score: 55.48
Methodology
Northgate explained that data on Motorway Services Online (MSO) ratings, the number of food and drink outlets and parking costs were sourced from Motorway Services Online. Information regarding green spaces was obtained either from MSO or the service station's own website. Hotel ratings were gathered via Google Maps, and data on electric vehicle charging was taken from Zapmap.
Dual service stations were ranked together where their collective scores were identical and they shared the same hotel. The full analysis of the data can be found here.