On a trip to a very soggy Three Counties Showground yesterday for a flea market, we stopped at the relatively new service area between junction 12 and 11A on the M5 north.
We first called in on the way to the sleepover when it had just opened, and I meant to take some pics then.
It is a new concept for motorway services, more of a farm shop which sources its products locally. It is also virtually hidden with the buildings camouflaged with grass roofs.
Ok, the prices are 'farm shop' but I know where I would rather go to relax on a journey.
At the moment it is only on the northbound, but they are building one on the southbound due to open next year.
TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14343 Join date : 2009-09-27
I remember watching that on the local news when it opened. Apparently the prices are "higher" because, being a service station, they gave to stay open all hours and so have higher overheads.
Stopped at something similar on route to Cornwall. Aptly named 'The gateway to Cornwall' it opened in July. It's actually the only large service station in the county and did have local food producers and outlets alongside the high street usuals. It was a very welcome sight for me as the fuel gauge was showing empty!
