After polling thousands of drivers, Which? crowned Gloucester Services as the UK’s top motorway stop. Nestled between junctions 11A and 12 on the M5, this service station, which I’ve had the pleasure of visiting, boasts two sites and prides itself on its freshly prepared food and collaboration with 130 local producers within a 30-mile radius. The ethos at Gloucester Services is to prepare food as one would at home, and I must say, this philosophy shines through in their kitchen and farm shop.
Their website proudly proclaims that they only stock the finest products from a range of artisans, including bakers, brewers, growers, farmers, cake makers, cheese makers, coffee roasters and craftspeople. However, I wasn’t overly keen on the bread and pastries displayed openly at the front of the service. The pastries appeared a bit stale, and the bread had seen better days, though the rest of the food seemed well-protected. The experience was somewhat overwhelming, with an array of food, fresh produce, homeware and clothing crammed into every nook and cranny.
The services also house a fresh cheese counter, deli and meat counter, which, while impressive, could be impractical if you’re not heading straight home afterwards.
I’m a fan of a good butcher’s shop, and had I been en route home, I would have certainly grabbed some fresh meat. They had everything from hand-pressed burgers to sausages and a generous selection of sausage rolls, quiches and samosas.
The cheese counter was a sight to behold, boasting an array of handmade cheeses from Gloucestershire and the South West, alongside speciality cheeses from across the UK and Europe.
The gift section seemed endless, featuring a children’s area, a foodie corner, clothing, and more. It was quite the spectacle, and while I could have easily splurged, most items can be found online at a lower price.
Despite my fondness for Gloucester Services, having visited several times, there are two words that encapsulate the experience: very expensive.
A small homemade brownie or blondie costs nearly £4, which, in my view, is steep. Was it delectable and homemade? Absolutely, but I wouldn’t shell out that amount again.
Similarly, a chicken Caesar wrap from the takeaway range set me back almost £8. While it was tasty, nothing seemed reasonably priced.
At the patisserie counter, a macaron was also priced at £3.85, an amount I wouldn’t part with. A chocolate lolly would set you back £5.95.
Scattered around the services were small stands selling various chocolates, including tea cakes, lollies and seasonal treats. A homemade chocolate teacake came with a hefty price tag of £3.85.
If you fancy a sit-down meal, their kitchen offers a variety of dishes, serving everything from full English breakfasts in the morning to lasagne and pies late into the night.
The services also boast in-house bakers who use traditional recipes and pantry ingredients to create the cakes, scones, and traybakes available in the kitchen.
However, considering that it’s a service station where prices are naturally higher, and the fact that they source their products locally, I was quite content to pay the asking price.
Moreover, the services have a commendable partnership with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, investing up to 3p of every £1 spent in the farmshop and kitchen back into local communities.
The visit also provided a delightful break and a chance to stretch my legs during a lengthy journey to North Wales. I’d heartily recommend it to anyone, as long as you’re prepared to splash out a bit.
Source link
