A couple of decades ago I used to drive about 50,000 miles a year around the UK motorways. Back then all the service stations comprised a cafe, a shop, the toilets and in the case of the Welcome Break chain a Little Chef restaurant. Having watched the first two episodes of this series, it seems like they've all been converted into shopping mall style food courts, full of outlets for McDonalds, KFC, Costa, etc...
I haven't been in the UK in many, many years. I seem to remember the service stations being much like you describe. I'm amazed how they look now, but I'm thoroughly enjoying this series.
Inspired by your series, my son and I wondered up to the Severn Bridge viewing point at (Aust) Severn View services, which was nice. The telescopes don’t work anymore unfortunately, so we used our eyes instead.
I remember my dad being obsessed with using the secret entrance to the M25 via the eastbound Clacket Lane services in his silver Citroen BX estate. Eventually they installed a barrier, a Citroen BX with that kid of navigability is just not meant to be. Well played, motorway services.
Apparently Fisher laments many of his murals are gone. Painted over or destroyed by renovations, but theres a picture on the urban prehistorians site, titled "The Paint job" showing him painting the Gretna green mural.
Rownhams Service Station has a special place in my Heart as I went there on the Coach heading to PGL Osmington Bay for a Residential Trip when I was in Year 7 and that for me was the only Highlight of the Residential Trip visiting the lovely little Rownhams Services
My favourite service area is killington lake southbound on the m6. It's set in the southern lake district. My father pulled in to the services on our family holiday trip to swanage near Bournemouth.
You can't think of services without remembering those holiday trips! It's a good one is Killington Lake. We visited in episode 10 - ua-cam.com/video/mryrWRAc8jg/v-deo.html Thanks for watching! :)
Clacket Lane, what a services. It was always our stop on the way to the War & Peace Festival. At many times you would see many other military vehicles in the car park, during that week.
I have done work for Motorway Services Online for two years now and can I say you guys are very dedicated to do this journey, it takes 6 - 12 hours from the highest services in Scotland and the lowest one. I do occasional random trips to services but Folkestone is the hardest to visit for me because I have no reason to go down there!
When I was younger, around 4/5. Fleet services always represented “nearly home” to me, as the bridge was a landmark I would recognise. The bridge panes of glass use to have the McDonald’s M on every other pane back in those days, and the mc Donald’s on the south bound side had a huge play area.
Back in 2008/9, I used to work out of BCA Blackbushe as a trade plate driver. Our first stop every morning was the McDonald’s at Fleet Services. It was almost a given that I would be desperate for a Thunder Splat by the time I reached Winchester Services.
I have a photograph of some hilarious* graffiti that I found in a toilet cubicle from the Gents at Cobham Services dating back to July 2017. It says: Things I Hate 1 - Graffiti 2- Irony 3- Lists 4- Irony 5- Repetition *I found it to be hilarious
Before Clackett's and the M25 that section was built up a hefty part of the old Westerham branch line from Dunton Green, Crayford Conversions did all their car haircutting stuff in Westerham too.
Stopped at Cobham services for lunch two years ago en route home to Maidenhead from Gatwick Airport after a weeks holiday in the south of France, an amazing service area
I used to live in Rownhams as a teenager and quite often we’d either walk or drive (which definitely wasn’t allowed) down the access road to the services from Rownhams Lane. Oddly though, I never knew about the subway 😂
Another Great Video, my personal Favourite Service Station is Annandale Lockerbie Services on the M74, it has a great Lake location and some times you even see frogs or Tadpoles, excited to see that one on my Next trip down south
I hadn't spotted the Roman stuff at Clacket Lane before. I do remember getting stuck there once when something played up on my dad's car. (I had a car by this time but we were making a journey from a campsite somewhere in the southeast over to Calais for the day). As for fire, there was a disastrous fire at South Mimms in 1998 - the reduced facilities there caused me some trouble.
Very enjoyable - not been to fleet since the fire so interesting to see it! Is Cobham the only service station on one side that has access from both directions (that’s not on an actual junction?) it’s my “local” service station and I went in there once and was immediately recognised for being in someone’s UA-cam video 😆🤦♂️
We did consider it but didn't want to be "reviewing" every services, it would get boring very quickly. I can confirm that it wont matter which services you go to, the toilets are terrible.
Another quick fact about fleet services, it was the first services to have a McDonald’s serving it even though McDonald’s were dead against appearing in service station in the first place Also did you know the M27 was meant to have another services, it was due to be located between junctions 9(Whiteley) and junction 10(Fareham) basically plans were put in place for a services and initial ground clearing happened, plans were drawn up, and slip roads for the services were even built westbound but suddenly the plans were withdrawn and it didn’t go ahead(I think money and planning issues) that is why the junction slip road for junction 9 westbound was so long intitally because they simply converted the slip road that was planned for the services into the junction, the long slip rd has since changed again though and converted into the recent smart motorway works
Thanks for that. I always wondered what those ghost slip roads were for on the M27. The East bound entry slip always gave the cops a nice hiding place as you came down the hill going towards Pompey (remember to check your mirrors as you pass). I once saw a 'mini cruise' of 5 cars come flying past me there down the hill, and then get intercepted by the cops lying in wait up that entry slip :)
It looks as though most (not all) of David Fishers art works have either been lost due to re-painting or destroyed by renovations. Look up The Urban prehistorian : The paint job more more information
Thanks, I shall look that up. You are correct, David Fishers art has gone. However... Elaine Jones is now the service station artist it seems, we've seen three pieces of her work :)
you should've given all the service stations a score based on exterior, interior, stores and uniqueness possibly also sleeping accommodations but that's gonna be harder to work into a video
It's sad that David Fisher pasted away in 2013 and that you did not find any of his artwork and I hope that someone let's you know and my favourite service station has to be Newport Pagnell
A couple of decades ago I used to drive about 50,000 miles a year around the UK motorways. Back then all the service stations comprised a cafe, a shop, the toilets and in the case of the Welcome Break chain a Little Chef restaurant. Having watched the first two episodes of this series, it seems like they've all been converted into shopping mall style food courts, full of outlets for McDonalds, KFC, Costa, etc...
I haven't been in the UK in many, many years. I seem to remember the service stations being much like you describe. I'm amazed how they look now, but I'm thoroughly enjoying this series.
Inspired by your series, my son and I wondered up to the Severn Bridge viewing point at (Aust) Severn View services, which was nice. The telescopes don’t work anymore unfortunately, so we used our eyes instead.
There is a Scott Mills placard now.
I remember my dad being obsessed with using the secret entrance to the M25 via the eastbound Clacket Lane services in his silver Citroen BX estate. Eventually they installed a barrier, a Citroen BX with that kid of navigability is just not meant to be. Well played, motorway services.
We aren't supposed to allow motorway traffic on the back roads so there's a barrier
Clacket Lane Westbound, my favourite ! The Roman stuff is still there that makes me so happy !
Apparently Fisher laments many of his murals are gone. Painted over or destroyed by renovations, but theres a picture on the urban prehistorians site, titled "The Paint job" showing him painting the Gretna green mural.
Rownhams Service Station has a special place in my Heart as I went there on the Coach heading to PGL Osmington Bay for a Residential Trip when I was in Year 7 and that for me was the only Highlight of the Residential Trip visiting the lovely little Rownhams Services
literally so happy that they are putting in more chargers at cobham 🎉🎉
My favourite service area is killington lake southbound on the m6. It's set in the southern lake district. My father pulled in to the services on our family holiday trip to swanage near Bournemouth.
You can't think of services without remembering those holiday trips! It's a good one is Killington Lake. We visited in episode 10 - ua-cam.com/video/mryrWRAc8jg/v-deo.html Thanks for watching! :)
David Fishers works have been covered over. My father helped fit them. The last remaining one was in Membury services.
Clacket Lane, what a services. It was always our stop on the way to the War & Peace Festival. At many times you would see many other military vehicles in the car park, during that week.
I have done work for Motorway Services Online for two years now and can I say you guys are very dedicated to do this journey, it takes 6 - 12 hours from the highest services in Scotland and the lowest one. I do occasional random trips to services but Folkestone is the hardest to visit for me because I have no reason to go down there!
Motorway service center tat. Keep up the good work.
When I was younger, around 4/5. Fleet services always represented “nearly home” to me, as the bridge was a landmark I would recognise.
The bridge panes of glass use to have the McDonald’s M on every other pane back in those days, and the mc Donald’s on the south bound side had a huge play area.
Cobham services is located on the westbound side of the M25 with access from the eastbound via underpass.
Yaaaaassss to Scott Mills bridge. Legend
It's great to see people being productive with their spare time... ;-) Hilarious video, many thanks!
Back in 2008/9, I used to work out of BCA Blackbushe as a trade plate driver. Our first stop every morning was the McDonald’s at Fleet Services. It was almost a given that I would be desperate for a Thunder Splat by the time I reached Winchester Services.
Congratulations on an excellent channel. Lads - you are doing God's work. I am hooked 👍
I have a photograph of some hilarious* graffiti that I found in a toilet cubicle from the Gents at Cobham Services dating back to July 2017.
It says:
Things I Hate
1 - Graffiti
2- Irony
3- Lists
4- Irony
5- Repetition
*I found it to be hilarious
Before Clackett's and the M25 that section was built up a hefty part of the old Westerham branch line from Dunton Green, Crayford Conversions did all their car haircutting stuff in Westerham too.
Stopped at Cobham services for lunch two years ago en route home to Maidenhead from Gatwick Airport after a weeks holiday in the south of France, an amazing service area
It's probably the largest too! Thanks for tuning in :D
I used to live in Rownhams as a teenager and quite often we’d either walk or drive (which definitely wasn’t allowed) down the access road to the services from Rownhams Lane. Oddly though, I never knew about the subway 😂
Ah Fleet Services - North Bound - so many times we've stopped there on the way back from Devon
Whatever happened to Aidan? I fear he's become the Andrew Ridgeley to Jon's George Michael.
Another Great Video, my personal Favourite Service Station is Annandale Lockerbie Services on the M74, it has a great Lake location and some times you even see frogs or Tadpoles, excited to see that one on my Next trip down south
We'll be sure to check it out, we're staying in Lockerbie for filming of our Scotland episode :) A few weeks away yet though .
I hadn't spotted the Roman stuff at Clacket Lane before. I do remember getting stuck there once when something played up on my dad's car. (I had a car by this time but we were making a journey from a campsite somewhere in the southeast over to Calais for the day).
As for fire, there was a disastrous fire at South Mimms in 1998 - the reduced facilities there caused me some trouble.
I've visited a few of these on my travels as a football fan.
5:58 beware spoilers for the following motorway service stations.
The Scott mills bridge. I didn't know about that. 🙂
I will try and find out what happened to the artwork from Pease pottage services. My other half works there!
I believe they've all long since been painted over as part of refurbishments.
Welcome Break A1 Services at Fernwood near Newark-on-Trent has opened up today. It will be the NEWEST.
Located just off the Balderton turnoff.
Its weird seeing the old whsmith at clackett
You missed out that Winchester services is now owned by MOTO but up to 2010 it was owned by roadchef
It's supposed to have no door. That's an MX-5 Superleggera, very rare.
It's certainly the first time I've seen one ! :D
Could you do a video on motorway services that have closed down? I only know of Wansford
An interesting fact about Winchester Service station - our ex next door neighbour was the 1st manager of thus facility.
When you said "interesting" I think you actually meant "incredibly dull"
That's a Bed of Abarths at 7:14.
I saw the deadest looking chips at Winchester Services in the mid 2000's. It's definitely one of the duller halts.
Would you consider an "all the Travelodge" series?
Very enjoyable - not been to fleet since the fire so interesting to see it!
Is Cobham the only service station on one side that has access from both directions (that’s not on an actual junction?) it’s my “local” service station and I went in there once and was immediately recognised for being in someone’s UA-cam video 😆🤦♂️
I love the boogie-woogie music at 09:20. Anyone know which artist and the title of the tune?
A good series but could have done with some fleshing out with history and say info about state of what’s there and state of rest rooms etc
We did consider it but didn't want to be "reviewing" every services, it would get boring very quickly. I can confirm that it wont matter which services you go to, the toilets are terrible.
Another quick fact about fleet services, it was the first services to have a McDonald’s serving it even though McDonald’s were dead against appearing in service station in the first place
Also did you know the M27 was meant to have another services, it was due to be located between junctions 9(Whiteley) and junction 10(Fareham) basically plans were put in place for a services and initial ground clearing happened, plans were drawn up, and slip roads for the services were even built westbound but suddenly the plans were withdrawn and it didn’t go ahead(I think money and planning issues) that is why the junction slip road for junction 9 westbound was so long intitally because they simply converted the slip road that was planned for the services into the junction, the long slip rd has since changed again though and converted into the recent smart motorway works
Thanks for that. I always wondered what those ghost slip roads were for on the M27. The East bound entry slip always gave the cops a nice hiding place as you came down the hill going towards Pompey (remember to check your mirrors as you pass). I once saw a 'mini cruise' of 5 cars come flying past me there down the hill, and then get intercepted by the cops lying in wait up that entry slip :)
It looks as though most (not all) of David Fishers art works have either been lost due to re-painting or destroyed by renovations. Look up The Urban prehistorian : The paint job more more information
Thanks, I shall look that up. You are correct, David Fishers art has gone. However... Elaine Jones is now the service station artist it seems, we've seen three pieces of her work :)
I believe the collective noun for Fiats is a _rust._
F.I.A.T (Fix It Again Tomorrow)
Could show us the motorway junction signs in freeze frame?
Thanks for visiting every motorway services in the Country so we don't have to 👍😁
you should've given all the service stations a score based on exterior, interior, stores and uniqueness
possibly also sleeping accommodations but that's gonna be harder to work into a video
I’ve actually been to peas pottage services I like it
I used to really like Fleet services, but the rebuilt is hideous and now I just carry on down to Solstice Services on the A303. So there.
try to find twitter page
The bridge could have been called "The Wayne Bridge Bridge", or just "The Wayne Bridge"??
Service stations are quintessential British!
Absolutely! Everyone has a memory (good or bad) from the service station!
Had no idea that our KFC is so popular in the UK! Seems to have a better rep there than here...
It's sad that David Fisher pasted away in 2013 and that you did not find any of his artwork and I hope that someone let's you know and my favourite service station has to be Newport Pagnell
Yeah it is indeed a shame... and sadly no artwork to be found. However... at certain services, you might find paintings by Elaine Jones.
Yer a daft pair, but very funny. A "Fiasco of Fiats" Love it!" And I spent meant many a happy hour at Fleet Services when I lived down that way.
Would have been horse and cart in those days huh? ;)
@@AutoShenanigans Cheeky s**!!! It was actually a Rover 3500S V8 P6 I'll have you know!
'cept those were Abarths ;-)
Scott mills.. lol...
surely the collective term should be a Breakdown of Fiats?
Are those slot machines at a motorway services? Seems like a weird thing to put in to me...
A way to relax during a long drive. Seems pretty normal to me
Truck drivers spend long periods of time resting or waiting for new pickups, some of them like to gamble
It's a breakdown of Fiats
How cm you don't take a coupla birds with ya ¿?
“Darling! Why not come with me for a good time sexy fortnight tour of motorway services.😛🥰😍”
It works every time.
Here’s a great idea fuel
Is if me but that driver doesn't look happy doing it I bet its a boring trip lol.