I visited neighbour of famous M5 Gloucester Services and I probably won’t go back

Even if Gloucestershire isn't your home county, you've probably at least come across the renowned Gloucester Services Farmshop and Kitchen on the M5. Operated by the Westmorland Family group, this motorway facility located just beyond Junction 12 welcomes approximately four million people annually, and has repeatedly been recognised as Britain's finest motorway service station. Indeed, in a Which.co.uk poll conducted last year, Gloucester Services successfully retained this accolade for 2026, achieving an overall customer satisfaction score of 85%, with five stars across categories including cleanliness, facilities, the variety and standard of both retail outlets and food and beverage options, plus the standard and accessibility of outdoor areas, reports Gloucestershire Live[1].

That said, Gloucester Services is in fact one of two motorway rest facilities located on the M5[2] in Gloucestershire. Merely 15 miles distant, you'll discover Michaelwood Services, operated by Welcome Break, the nation's second biggest motorway service station provider. Everyone constantly enthuses about how brilliant Gloucester Services is (I'm no exception).

But if you've endured a lengthy journey and simply need to pull over and stretch your legs briefly, what's it genuinely like to pop into Michaelwood Services as an alternative? I paid both locations a visit to discover: Parking

Parking Making my way up from Bristol, Michaelwood was my first destination. I left the motorway shortly after Junction 14 (for Dursley) and arrived at a sizeable car park with capacity for over 250 vehicles - not counting the approximately 20 electric vehicle charging bays available. At Michaelwood Services, parking comes free for up to two hours, beyond which motorists face a GBP15 charge for stays lasting 2-24 hours, while HGV or coach drivers will pay GBP34 for the equivalent period (or GBP36 with a meal voucher included).

It's essentially a typical outdoor car park - and while it's remarkably spacious given the service station's modest size, there's virtually no buffer between visitors and the motorway din running parallel. Wooden bench seating sits outside the Welcome Break premises for those wanting some fresh air, though it's hardly the most tranquil or picturesque spot to pause for a breather. By contrast, at Gloucester Services, motorists can park without charge for up to three hours, with fees of GBP14 for a car, GBP23 for a caravan or motorhome, or GBP32 for an HGV, applicable for stays spanning three to 24 hours.

For anyone presuming Gloucester Services commands premium prices due to its numerous awards, this already represents a victory for the Farmshop destination. What's more, it comes as quite a surprise that even out in the car park, you'd barely know you were just a stone's throw from the motorway. The noise of passing traffic is virtually non-existent, and the M5's constant stream of vehicles remains completely out of sight, as the service station nestles snugly amidst lush, rolling countryside.

Shops

For those seeking something straightforward and fuss-free from their service station stop, Michaelwood fits the bill perfectly. The site caters for a swift bite to eat at familiar favourites including KFC, Burger King, Subway and Starbucks, alongside the ever-reliable WH Smith, and even a Little Waitrose -- which always feels like a rather upmarket treat. A Game Zone provides adult gaming and slot machines, offering a welcome distraction from the road, while those with a sweet tooth can indulge in a Krispy Kreme doughnut from the self-serve display cabinet that welcomes you as you step through the main entrance.

A ham and cheese sandwich paired with a bottle of water from Waitrose or WH Smith will set you back just over GBP6, or if you fancy a more leisurely break, you could settle in at Starbucks or beside the fast food[3] outlets -- Burger King or KFC -- and enjoy a wrap, roll or panini ranging from GBP3.95 to GBP5.80 (Starbucks prices). Even setting aside any comparisons with Gloucester Services, Michaelwood Services still feels somewhat... lacking. Once inside, it's a surprisingly compact space, which only adds to the rather limited retail offering.

Even other Welcome Break service stations provide a broader selection -- including a Pizza Express restaurant at certain locations. Meanwhile, over at Gloucester Services, while the number of shops may actually be fewer (essentially just one Farmshop alongside a canteen-style restaurant), the variety of goods available feels considerably more impressive. This isn't simply a roadside shop off the motorway -- it's a genuine celebration of everything the Cotswolds has to offer.

From local wines, ciders and cheeses, to clothing, books and gifts, Gloucester Farmshop collaborates with more than 130 producers, all within 30 miles of the site, so you can rest assured that you're purchasing top-quality produce. And frankly, it's not as expensive as many might expect. A fresh fig loaf from Hobbs House Bakery in nearby Tetbury, for instance, will only set you back GBP3.95, while a generously-sized lemon meringue cruffin (a croissant/muffin hybrid) is priced at GBP3.60.

Food prices

On the matter of food prices... it seemed only reasonable to compare a similar food offering at each service station. The aim was to purchase a bacon and sausage bap at both locations. First up: The Good Breakfast at Michaelwood Services.

The bap alone here costs GBP5.99. You can include an egg for an additional GBP1.99, or opt for a side of two hash browns for another GBP1.89. Nevertheless, I requested the bap as standard, and observed as it was made.

The roll appeared rather dry (particularly as it wasn't even buttered before the filling went in), and was packed with two sausages and one rasher of bacon before being passed to me. I was given a choice of tomato ketchup or brown sauce, and received one small sachet of ketchup when I requested it. Considering I spent GBP5.99 on it, the sandwich appeared rather underwhelming when I opened it up to apply the ketchup.

The warm grease from the sausages and bacon partially compensated for the fact the bread wasn't buttered, and while the sausage tasted fairly decent, the bacon was quite firm and rubbery. I can't help but question whether I actually would have been more content with a sausage bap or bacon bap from Starbucks inside (which also would have been less expensive, at GBP4.90).

At Gloucester Services, the comparable sausage and bacon bap, served on Hobbs House bread, is marginally pricier at GBP6.85. Regrettably, I don't get to sample it, because by the time I arrive at Gloucester Services, they've finished serving their breakfast menu and have switched to lunch (yes, that's how upmarket this establishment is).

Instead, I opted for the closest alternative, a sausage roll, which cost me GBP5.85. For a sausage roll alone, this still appears quite steep. Nevertheless, I'd suggest it's a more substantial portion than the bap I had at Michaelwood, and the pastry was crisp and rich, while the sausage filling was juicy and subtly spiced.

I also enjoyed it while seated beside a large pond behind the Farmshop, with several ducks accompanying me in an attempt to snatch a few crumbs of pastry from the meal. It proved an infinitely more agreeable lunch experience. Outdoor space

This leads me to arguably Gloucester Service's greatest attraction. I genuinely attempted, during my visits, to consider both Gloucester and Michaelwood Services as simply a practical stopping point for a brief motorway break, and compare them on that basis. Yet, once you've experienced Gloucester Services, you'll discover it's remarkably difficult to place them both in the same category.

Gloucester Services isn't merely a stopping point. It's an entire day out.

You won't appreciate it as you're leaving the motorway, but once you're behind the main building, you're essentially on a nature reserve. Take a brief path up past the pond, and you're gazing out at sweeping views across locations like the Forest of Dean and Robinswood Hill.

Numerous benches are scattered throughout, allowing visitors to soak up the peaceful surroundings - and while the motorway is just about visible from this spot, the noise barely reaches you. A herb garden flourishes here, cultivating plants such as rosemary, sage, lavender and thyme, which visitors are encouraged to touch and smell, and there are even bee houses where the industrious insects go about their work.

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Click here to join our WhatsApp community[6]. At Michaelwood, I ventured out in search of comparable countryside that felt equally sheltered from the motorway. A wander down a country lane behind the Days Inn hotel (where rooms are priced at GBP55 a night) led me to the outskirts of the village of Woodford.

A handful of properties were scattered about, including a farmhouse selling fresh duck or chicken eggs. It felt rather charming, nestled amongst fields and farmland, where the nearby motorway seemed a world away. Yet it wasn't quite comparable.

Overall Gloucester Services' outstanding reputation is well-established. It's even a worthy destination in its own right for sampling delicious locally-sourced produce, particularly if you're not pressed for time.

So how does Michaelwood Services fare as a convenient pit stop? Frankly, not particularly well. It placed 28th in the Which.co.uk survey, achieving an overall customer satisfaction score of just 48%.

I was keen to give it a fair hearing, but even when measured against more modest service stations, I'd suggest pressing on and stopping at Strensham Services if you're travelling northbound, or Gordano if you're heading south on the M5.

References

1. ^ Gloucestershire Live (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ the M5 (www.devonlive.com)
3. ^ fast food (www.devonlive.com)
4. ^ All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community' (chat.whatsapp.com)
5. ^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
6. ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)