Thurrock Services

Opened: 1990 Original owner: Granada Current Owner: Moto One site, located in unusual location accessible by both M25 and A13 between two roundabouts Trivia: When first opened, the main building was not complete so a temporary restaurant and shop was provided in a very large portacabin. First (and possibly still the only) site that has Accomodation within the main complex. Built on slope, so you enter at the top across a “dry moat”. Once inside you can use the shops on that floor or decend the stairs to the toilets Current: This site currently has a 5 Star Loo of the year Award 2003 along with 33 others in the road transport category. (find best loos overall) Thanks: Thanks to Simon...

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South Mimms Services

Opened: 1986 Original owner: Trusthouse Forte Current Owner: Welcome Break Single site services located on M25/A1(M) junction Then: Trivia: The first services on the M25. Originally typically 80’s high pointy roof construction, with large area in middle for dining. Features in the Video for “3 Lions”, also featuring Robbie Williams. Destroyed by Fire in 1999. Temporary services errected in carpark, whilst remains of old building destroyed and a new replacement built by Welcome Break. The new building is similar in style to the Welcome Break at Hopwood Park on the M42. Both buildings look more like an airport terminal than a service area (apart from the lack of planes, that is) BP already owned part of the site that...

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Cobham Services

  Opening: ???? Located between Junction 9 and 10 (closer to 10)     Trivia: Still only a proposal, but alternative sites seem to have been ruled out. Multimap link to site  Located between junction 9 and 10, but very close to junction 10. If successful, will be built on the site New Barn Farm, in Cobham. The financial backer is Total-Fina-Elf. From this it sounds like a Roadchef site, but can’t be sure. Total was getting concerned about the cost of the inquiry as this has been going back and forth since 1995. Other proposals for MSA’s on the M25 have been rejected by the Secretary of State. Proposals have also been received for nearby services on the...

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Clacket Lane Services

Opened: 1993 Original owner: RoadChef Current Owner: RoadChef Located between Junction 5 and 6   Trivia: Made to resemble like a ranch. Lies on the edge of the North Downs. One of the largest services areas in Europe – and apparently the busiest MSA in europe. The original application named the services “Titsey Wood” after the forest which surrounds this site. First proposed around 1972. Originally It was hoped that the site would have been built at the Sevenoaks M25/26 junction which was to be a roundabout, but the junction was re-designed leaving no room for a MSA. There was a lot of opposition to building Clacket Lane on scenic grounds, and Surrey council argued that it was not...

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