M23 Pease Pottage Services
Opened: Unknown (late 1980’s? or Early 90’s) Original owner: Welcome Break Subsequent owner: Granada Current Owner: Moto Location: M23 J11 Trivia: Possibly the smallest motorway services!. Operates from a single site off a roundabout and down the road from the Motorway. Has just 6 urinals (one of which is a junior urinal) just to prove how small this site is. Despite its size, has everything you would expect from a typical Moto, including Shop, Burger King, Restaurant, Arcade, Cash machine, and Petrol (which is slightly cheaper than other MSA’s). Located next to the motorway, but accessed via the B2114 (but still officially an MSA) (see) Pease Pottage has not got any local shops (except a florist) so this site...
Full ReviewM3 Fleet Services
Opened: 1973 Original owner: Forte Current Owner: Welcome Break Location: Between 4a and 5 Petrol: Shell Then: Lewis Cox remembers: “Your site brings back some memories when I child of M3 Fleet Services. As part of a regular long journey, Fleet would always be the stop for toilets and sandwiches. I have many many memories, including the adventure playground amoungst the pine trees on one side, on one visit I was devastated to see it was no longer there and the place was a building site I believe for the travel lodge.” “The place has changed an awful lot. It once had a video shop and many wierd restaurants before the Fast Food hysteria set in. The toilets used...
Full ReviewM2 Farthing Corner (Medway) Services
Opened: 1 November 1963 Original owner: Top Rank Latter owner: Pavillion Current Owner: Moto (formerly Granada) Name Change : Medway (since 1992) Then: The Rotunda is now no longer in use but still present. As you can see, the front entrance has also been extended and is now clad to give a more modern look. Trees and advertising boards now obstruct the view of the opposite side. The bridge restaurant. Waitress service. Trivia: Thus far the first MSA i’ve seen with fresh cut flowers in the mens toilets (on display, not sale). Has a bridge restaurant- you can enjoy your lunch watching the road (but there is seating elsewhere if you want to get away from it!) The only...
Full ReviewThurrock Services
Opened: 1990 Original owner: Granada Current Owner: Moto One site, located in unusual location accessible by both M25 and A13 between two roundabouts Trivia: When first opened, the main building was not complete so a temporary restaurant and shop was provided in a very large portacabin. First (and possibly still the only) site that has Accomodation within the main complex. Built on slope, so you enter at the top across a “dry moat”. Once inside you can use the shops on that floor or decend the stairs to the toilets Current: This site currently has a 5 Star Loo of the year Award 2003 along with 33 others in the road transport category. (find best loos overall) Thanks: Thanks to Simon...
Full ReviewSouth Mimms Services
Opened: 1986 Original owner: Trusthouse Forte Current Owner: Welcome Break Single site services located on M25/A1(M) junction Then: Trivia: The first services on the M25. Originally typically 80’s high pointy roof construction, with large area in middle for dining. Features in the Video for “3 Lions”, also featuring Robbie Williams. Destroyed by Fire in 1999. Temporary services errected in carpark, whilst remains of old building destroyed and a new replacement built by Welcome Break. The new building is similar in style to the Welcome Break at Hopwood Park on the M42. Both buildings look more like an airport terminal than a service area (apart from the lack of planes, that is) BP already owned part of the site that...
Full Review