An East Lancashire motorway services has once again been voted one of the best in Britain.

Blackburn with Darwen services on the M65 has been voted the 12th best service station in Britain, meaning it is one of the most desired in the country for a pit-stop.

The Extra-operated services sits behind Beaconsfield services in Buckinghamshire, which was named as the best place to stop on the motorway, Gordano services near Bristol in second, and Fleet services in Hampshire, which came in third.

In recent years, motorway services have gone from a convenient pit stop for a toilet break to a genuinely desirable place to stop and have some time out.

Used car buying service ChooseMyCar.com has put together a list of the UK’s best, with Beaconsfield Motorway Services, located off the M40, coming out on top as the number ones stop in Britain.

In October, Blackburn with Darwen services was voted the third best motorway services in the country, after a survey by watchdog Transport Focus of 119 service stations, completed by 31,000 visitors.

Blackburn with Darwen boasts fuel stations and eight electric vehicle charging points, plus more than 250 parking spaces and toilets, changing facilities and showers.

To eat, visitors can choose from McDonalds, Chopstix, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Nandos, Pizza Express, Leon and Greggs, plus there is also a picnic area, dog walking area and a Travelodge for weary travellers who need an overnight rest.

The UK’s services were ranked using a criteria of various attractive elements, such as availability of electric vehicle charging points, price of fuel, variety of restaurants, and whether dog walking is available.

Beaconsfield has an astonishing array of restaurants and coffee shops, with 16 in total, and two hours of free parking.

Hot on Beaconsfield’s heels is Gordano Service Station, off the M5. Gordano Services has fewer restaurants, but the eco-friendly stop has a 37 electric vehicle charging points, a big win for the future.

In third position is Fleet Services, off the M3. Fleet features a generous 13 restaurants and coffee shops, and an impressive 28 charging points, plus outdoor seating areas among pine trees for al fresco dining.

Rivington services was awarded 10th place, with Blackburn with Darwen sitting 12th.

The full list is:

  1. Beaconsfield, Bucks (M40)
  2. Gordano, Bristol (M5)
  3. Fleet, Hampshire (M3)
  4. Wetherby, West Yorkshire (A1(M))
  5. Stafford North, Staffordshire (M6)
  6. Norton Canes, Staffordshire (M6 Toll)
  7. Rugby, Warwickshire (M6)
  8. Chieveley, Berkshire (M4)
  9. Donington, Leicestershire (M1)
  10. Rivington, Greater Manchester/Lancashire border (M61)
  11. Swansea West, Wales (M4)
  12. Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire (M65)

 

Founder of ChooseMyCar.com, Nick Zapolski, said: “With summer coming up, many of us will be hitting the motorways to get to our holidays across the UK.

“Motorway services have become a godsend on long road trips, with many now offering far more than the traditional toilets and fuel stations.

"A modern service station will offer electric vehicle charging points, a huge variety of refreshment options - and even somewhere for our pooches to relieve themselves too.

“It’s reassuring to know we can have a break on long trips - especially if you’re travelling with kids and pets - and even more reassuring to know that so many of our motorway services have just fantastic facilities.

“Hopefully our list highlights some of the best - so you can plan where to stop when you take your trips this summer.”