Visitor to Gloucester’s award-winning service station shares ‘rather pricey’ bill

The M5 spot has been named the best service station in the UK

Sophie Harris Senior Lifestyle Reporter and Sophie Grubb Content Editor 17:41, 14 Dec 2025

A visitor has shared her two-word verdict on Gloucester's award-winning M5 service station - and it doesn't quite reflect its shining reputation.

Gloucester Services was once again named the UK's top motorway pit stop this year after a comprehensive consumer survey from watchdog Which?[1]

Situated between junctions 11A and 12 of the busy motorway, it pitches itself as a family-run operation with nature-friendly buildings and an offering that champions local producers over the big fast food chains seen in most other service stations.

It is home to a farm shop, restaurant selling homemade meals, play area and a surprisingly green setting despite its location along one of the country's busiest motorways, with a pond providing a focal point.

While many motorists rave about the service station and even make it a destination stop rather than one for convenience, the Mirror's senior lifestyle reporter Sophie Harris[2] had mixed feedback following several visits, although she did ultimately conclude that she would recommend it to others.

Starting with disappointing first impressions on the farm shop, she wrote in her review[3]: "Not everything was to my taste. The bread and pastries displayed openly at the front of the service station were a letdown, appearing dry and past their prime, though the rest of the food seemed well-protected.

"The sheer variety of goods on offer can be somewhat overwhelming, with an array of food, fresh produce, homeware, and clothing crammed into every corner of the bustling space."

However she commended the cheese counter as a "sight to behold" alongside the "proper" butcher's counter and deli, stocked with tempting sausage rolls, quiches, samosas and more.

Although she enjoyed a "delicious" brownie, it was the price tag that left her questioning the service station's status as the best in the country.

Sophie explained: "As much as I adore Gloucester Services, having visited several times, there's no escaping the fact that it's rather pricey.

"In my opinion, there's just two words to sum up my experience at Gloucester Services on the M5: very expensive."

Her bill for just two items came to almost GBP12:

• 'Small' homemade brownie or blondie: GBP4
• Chicken Caesar wrap from the to-go range: Almost GBP8

Other prices she observed during her visit included:

• Macaron at the patisserie counter: GBP3.85
• Chocolate lolly: GBP5.95
• Homemade chocolate teacake: GBP3.85

However she did highlight their ethos of celebrating local artisan produce rather than mass-produced items, which often comes at a justifiably higher cost for the quality, as well as the partnership with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust meaning up to 3p in every GBP1 spent is invested back into local communities.

Sophie added: "Considering it's a service station where prices are typically higher, and the fact that they collaborate with local producers, I was more than willing to pay some of the prices.

"It also provided a delightful experience and a chance to stretch my legs during a lengthy journey to North Wales.

I'd recommend it to anyone, as long as you're prepared to splash out a bit."

References

1. ^ after a comprehensive consumer survey from watchdog Which? (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ the Mirror's senior lifestyle reporter Sophie Harris (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ her review (www.mirror.co.uk)