Opened: 1972
Original owner: Taverna (Esso)
Later owned by: Granada (mid 1980's?)
Current Owner: Moto


Then:

Trivia:
Birch Services on the M62 are designed in a similar way (both have a distinctive roof structure from the outside)

Orginally had a huge bank of Vending machines including microwaves to self-serve food

Has a secret exit. It is possible to switch between the northbound and southbound sites by using nearby Bramley Lane. Users of the lodge need to do this to access the building, which is on the northbound only. The exit is controlled by a automatic bollard + intercom to prevent regular access

The southbound site had a lodge built in 2001


Current:
(Year: 2011) I usually stop off on the southbound services (the first on the M1 for me after turning off from the M62). Its was always small service station although recently enlarged, but the small size does offer it a intimacy (if you can have intimacy in a MSA!) and a spectacular view north. Recently converted to typical Quick Service Multiple Vendor type cafeteria. I found the service outstanding, and great attention to detail (the duty manager out and about checking everything from the restaurant to the toilets!)

Thanks:
Nigel Moore for information about the exit + hotel
Andrew M C Brodie - Lodge information

Received votes so far and a sample of comments:
People who prefer this MSA 9
People happy to visit 5
People who avoid this MSA 4
Selection of comments received
  • This may be an urban myth but allegedly the bridge structure really was meant to be a bridge... - 2005-11-30
  • The best service area on the motorway network. terrific foos store - 2007-09-16
This is a very old site, and we used to have a voting/comment system here, but for now it is turned off, sorry. Please also note the comments above are very old too and won't necessarily reflect the current state of the site and reflect the opinion of a visitor to the website, not the view of the website operator.

This page is not associated with any company running any Motorway service areas. It is semi-archived and some parts are out of date. Terms and notices. If you have any information you would like to contribute or correct, please email: contact@msatrivia.co.uk