England's best - and worst - motorway service stations revealed

Reading Services Westbound on the M4 was named as England’s best motorway stop (Google Maps)

For many a weary traveller, motorway services are an oasis of respite on a nightmare journey that should have taken two hours but has endured for six.

For others, they are a necessary evil; an emergency toilet break and a quick sausage roll before heading out once more.

But travel watchdog Transport Focus has has criss-crossed England to test 112 of them to rank the best – and the worst.

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Researchers questioned 8,700 customers on key factors including staffing, food and the all-important lavatories.

Heston services on the M4 Eastbound was identified as the place to avoid (Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

Drivers were also asked what impact visiting the motorway services had on their mood on arrival and then leaving the services.

The M4’s Reading Services Westbound was England’s best stop-off – with a customer satisfaction score of 100%. Bottom of the pile came Heston Services Eastbound on the M4, with a rating of 62%.

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The top 10 services are:

1. Reading Services Westbound (Moto) – M4

2. Rivington Services Northbound (EuroGarages) – M61

3. Corley Services Northbound (Welcome Break) – M6

4. Gloucester Services Southbound (Westmorland) – M5

5. Gloucester Services Northbound (Westmorland)

6. Knutsford Services Southbound (Moto) – M6

7. Norton Canes Services (Roadchef) – M6 Toll

8. Tebay Services Northbound (Westmorland) – M6

9. Tebay Services Southbound (Westmorland) – M6

10. Cobham Services (Extra) – M25

Gloucester services, southbound on the M5, was also highly rated by motorists (Charlie Bryan / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus, said: “Our research shows that up and down the country, motorway services are providing customers with a good experience and are playing a positive role in helping them rest and recharge before continuing to drive.

“They tell us they feel less stressed and are more awake after a good break.”

The worst rated services are:

103. Bridgwater Services Moto M5
104. Clacket Lane Services Eastbound Roadchef M25
105. Membury Services Eastbound Welcome Break M4
106. Winchester Services Southbound Moto M3
107. Washington Services Northbound Moto A1 (M)
108. Toddington Services Southbound – M1 in Bedfordshire
109. Rownhams Services Northbound – M27 in Southampton, Hampshire
110. Rownhams Services Southbound – M27 in Southampton, Hampshire
111. Stafford Services Southbound – M6 in Staffordshire
112. Heston Services Eastbound – M4 in Hounslow, Middlesex

More than 8,000 motorway service customers had their say (Transport Focus)

Reviewers on Google reviews said Heston was “dirty, old and tired”, while another said the toilets were “pretty rank”.

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On the whole, however, the Transport Focus survey showed that 90% of customers were satisfied with their visit to a service stop, and 64% thought the food or drink available to eat was value for money.

More than nine out 10 thought the staff were friendly and a similar percentage thought the loos were clean.