The best South West service stations for an enjoyable pit stop

Heading out on a road trip this half term? You might be going to visit family out of the region or maybe you have planned a UK staycation. We’ve got you covered with our guide to the best South West service stations to ensure your journey runs smoothly and your break is an enjoyable one.

Cornwall

Cornwall Services – A30

If you’re going to be driving through the beautiful South West county of Cornwall, you’ll likely be hoping there’s a decent service station to stop at along the way. Well, you’re in luck! Cornwall Services is one of the very best in the country. Located on the A30 near Bodmin and just a 22 minute drive from our Mercedes-Benz of Truro showroom, Cornwall Services is able to offer far more than a full tank of fuel and a forgettable sandwich. Families will certainly be pleased to hear about the indoor soft play area– perfect for allowing the kids to blow off some steam before resuming your journey. Cornwall Services can also offer some fantastic spots to grab a delicious bite to eat such as Subway, McDonalds, Costa, and more plus the local Cornish Pasty is available as soon as you walk through the doors. You can even engage in a little shopping, with a Saltrock outlet store on hand for the very best surfing apparel. And for those that require them, there’s an electric car charging point on site for your convenience.

Devon

Exeter Moto Service Area - M5

Located just off the M5 and perfectly positioned for both northbound and southbound travellers, Exeter Moto Service Area is a convenient and well-equipped stop for drivers passing through the South West. Situated only a short distance from Mercedes-Benz of Exeter., the site provides a welcome break from the journey, offering everything motorists need to recharge and refresh. The modern services hosts a strong selection of well-known brands, delivering quality food and drink options to suit all tastes. Whether you’re after a quick coffee, a larger meal, or a light bite on the go, there’s plenty to choose from. There is also retail outlets stocked with travel essentials and snacks for last-minute purchases. For electric vehicle users, Exeter Services was cited as the largest motorway service area ultra-rapid charging hub in the UK. This allow drivers to power up their vehicles with ease before continuing their journey.

Extra’s Cullompton Service Area – M5

Located adjacent to the M5’s northbound carriageway, and also easily accessible to southbound traffic, Devon’s Cullompton Service Area, 13 miles north-east of Exeter, is a great pit stop destination for drivers, offering everything a traveller needs. Their extensive Amenity Building is replete with popular brands, with first-rate dining options like Warrens Bakery, Costa, and McDonald’s, as well as excellent retail outlets like Top Gift, Quicksilver, and WHSmith, allowing you to grab those essential items, gifts, or refreshments for the journey ahead. An increasingly important feature for drivers up and down the country is the ability to charge up their electric vehicle. Luckily, Cullompton Service Area also excels in this regard, offering multiple charging points from Ecotricity. Extra-run service stations are always renowned for their quality and their Cullompton location is no different.

Somerset

Roadchef Taunton Deane Services – M5

Roadchef's Taunton Deane Services on the M5, between Junctions 25 and 26, is a superbly laid out services, designed with precision to accommodate its often heavy footfall. Just 13 minutes from the Mercedes-Benz of Taunton showroom, friendly staff on hand to complement the excellent brands and amenities available to drivers, stopping off here during your next South West road trip is sure to be a pleasant experience. Often remarked on as being a good location for a rest and refill before continuing a long journey, Taunton Deane Services is able to present outlets and food options such as Chozen Noodle, Fresh Food Café, The Cornish Bakery, McDonalds, and Ecotricity. With staff working hard to ensure their service station looks its best, you can relax in the knowledge that an enjoyable and calming stop is waiting for you in the Taunton area.

The rest of the South West

Gloucester Services – M5

Gloucester Services isn’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill service station. Situated on the M5, Gloucester Services is praised far and wide as one of the country’s best, often applauded for bringing a different vibe to the world of motorway pit stops. With its spacious restaurants where you can relax in comfort and fantastic on-the-go options, you’ll be blown away by the quality of food available. Gloucester Services doesn’t deal in franchises, instead deciding to present local producers, with the food available coming from the service’s own cafes and farm shops that sell an appetising selection of meats, ciders, fruit juice, and artisan bread. Boasting a butchers, deli, patisserie, and fishmonger, it’s also the perfect place to grab some dinner ingredients on the way home. With children’s portions, organic baby food, and even a duck pond to enjoy, this family-run services well and truly sets itself apart.

Long road trips are always an adventure, but whether you are driving to a Mercedes-Benz South West dealership in Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton, or Truro, or heading on a half term adventure, you’ll find fantastic services along the way.