Truckstop Review: Hillside Cafe

There has been a cafe on this site for around 100 years, if local accounts are accurate. Situated on the A36, which runs between Southampton and Bristol, just 3 miles from the junction with the A303. Hillside Cafe was built by the current owner’s family over 50 years ago.

Once a specialist transport cafe it has neatly matured into an all-purpose refreshment stop used by truck drivers, travelling salesmen and families alike.

There are five marked bays for long vehicles and HGVs with the ultimate ease of drive-in-drive-out access. There are more spaces at the other end of the car park, all of which is tarmac.

We say ‘long vehicles’ rather than just HGVs, as the site is also part of the ‘Brit Stops’ network for motorhomes and caravans for overnight parking.

The cafe is open from 7am until 3pm on weekdays but closed at weekends. All of the food is prepared and cooked fresh on-site by the very friendly staff, several of which have worked here for many years.

The menu is varied and extensive with enough options to satisfy every taste and time of day, from a simple sandwich to a full roast. Vegan and veggie options are clearly labelled, and as everything is cooked to order, almost all dishes can be adjusted to suit your taste. But whatever you choose, we really do recommend trying the bread pudding too!

There are plans to add EV charging facilities, and while it is early in the planning stage, there should be eight rapid charging bays on-site soon.

Seating for 40 inside with more outside if weather is good.

Breakfasts are generous and can be fully customised to your tastes

Legendary – and huge – bread pudding is baked fresh on site every day

Marked parking bays for five HGVs with more space at the other end of the car park. NB: the site is also used by motorhomes as part of the Brit Stops network.

Budgens convenience store adjacent to the Murco fuel station is open from 06:00-20:00. MURCO fuel station has AdBlue pump and can fuel HGVs but space is tight.

This review first appeared in the NOVEMBER 2023 issue of Trucking magazine. You can buy single issues online here: https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/trucking-magazine