MOTORWAY service stations that will be familiar to people in Worcestershire have featured in a new Channel 5 show fronted by JLS star JB.
The singer went on the hunt for the “nation’s favourite pit-stop” in the one-off documentary, taking in some of the best venues in the UK.
He found out why the services on the M5 in Gloucestershire are the country’s most popular according to research by Which?
Jo Rhodes, a consumer expert at the publication, said: “Some people are so enthusiastic about service stations that they are actually planning their journeys around them to enable them to stop there.”
The Beat Again singer was on a mission to find the best places which are “more than just a loo break” in the Channel 5 show.
As a Kent resident, his personal favourite is Cobham Services on the M25.
M5 service station in Worcestershire named best in UK
WINNER: Gloucestershire M5 services have a ‘farm shop feel’ according to JLS star JB (Image: Britain’s Best Service Station on 5)
JB also caught up with Rich Cross, who is known as the ‘Services King’ as he devotes his life to searching for the best pit-stops.
The 28-year-old has visited all 97 official motorway service stations in the country multiple times.
In Worcestershire, he has visited Strensham, which is one of the pit-stops featured on his website.
M5 Strensham Services: Roadchef opens new Co-op store
Rich writes: “A place of two halves: Strensham allows you to choose whether you’d like your stop to have the vibe of the ’90s (northbound), or the vibe of the ’00s (southbound).
“Whichever you choose, it’s a busy place all year round.”
Top 5 services according to Which?
1/ Gloucestershire M5
2/ Tebay M6 Cumbria
3/ Rugby M6
4/ Cairn Lodge A74 (M) Scotland
5/ Leeds Skelton Lake M1
As he touched on the Which? verdict, JB said: “Gloucester Services on the M5 blends the feel of a farm shop with the function of a motorway stop.
“Run by the same people as Tebay, they have over 130 local producers, 40 EV chargers and three hours of free parking. It’s got eco-cred, countryside charm, and a fan base to match.
“No wonder it’s topping the charts.”
Britain’s Best Service Station is available to stream now on 5.
What do you think of the motorway services around Worcestershire and the country? Which are the best and worst? Let us know in the comments.