Motorway "Rip-off" stations...

leosayer39

Hi all,

Archie, you said,

Westmoreland at Tebay in the Lakes does have a farmshop

The farmshops are now open on both the north and southbound services. (for a time there was only one)

[move]Leo [/move]

luke_ad2000

and they also do proper coffee with decent coffee!

BUT

why is it impossible to get a decent latte in this country after 7pm!!!!?????

System

There is a way around the expensive motorway service stations but it is dependent on where you're travelling and the time of day. But I think it's definitely worth mentioning. When we were travelling from Dover to Liverpool we stopped at Ikea (Birmingham) for a rest. Our youngest went into the softplay area for a free 30 (I think 45 mins is the max) and then we all went for something to eat in their restaurant. It cost us less than £10 for a family of five to have a sit down meal (incl. drinks). By the way, the soft drinks are unlimited. Then on the way out, we bought the kids an ice-cream/hot dog for about 30p each! Brilliant value! - Picked up a couple of energy saving lightbulbs too! LOL

payless

Yes great prices on food at Ikea, and only just off the junction.

But thats a awful bit of Motorway- next time I'll bite the bullet and use the new Toll Road

Savvy_Sue

There's an IKEA just off the M32 near Bristol, but pick your time or you'll take ages to queue your way into and out of the car park.

I was APPALLED when we recently stopped at the Membury Services on the M4 (Welcome Break) to find men's magazines - ie with scantily clad ladies on the cover - on display at the cashier points in the restaurant. They were right in the eyeline of pre-schoolers. Now who, after a stressful time driving with young kids. wants to hear 'Mummy, why hasn't that lady got any clothes on?'

I emailed the company when we got back to complain and I've been offered some vouchers, but I never want to go there again. It used to be one of our regular stops but it's gone right downhill since it was refurbished.

Fran

Having spent time in Motorway Service Stations wanting coffee and food and ending up not buying after seeing the prices, I keep a look out for those vans at the side of the road just off the motorway, sometimes just pulling off is enough to find a van or cafe. Coffee should be FREE to keep us all awake and stop accidents. All these comments should be printed off and sent to all the motorway services.....

System

Does anyone know if "5 Minutes Away" is actually available as a book?

Shawz

Sorry not seen 5 minutes away as a book at all

The best way we have found to save money on drinks while travelling is just to take a flask for tea/coffee with us.

Save's us a fortune

VickyA_2

I should have done that the other week. We'd got about 20 mins to kill before I had to drop my boyfriend off for a stag do, so we stopped at the MOTO services on the M4 (in between J11 and J12). I got so annoyed at the prices - two coffees came in just shy of £5! I refused to have a muffin, the first time in my life I may add, as they were charging £1.79 each. Then boyfriend decided that he needed a sandwich - so I sent him off to the shop, at least it was slightly cheaper. Normally I'm so good at making sarnies etc. I've learnt my lesson now!

cathy_3

Ive always pulled off the motorway and looked for a tesco or some such to have an allday breakky (which usually has been there all day) but theyre a lot cheaper than the services
and theres usually a mcdonalds or KFC if you prefer

you can also stretch your legs round the shop and get some sweets etc much cheaper than the services

why ARE they so expensive?? and why do they get away with it