I’ve experienced exactly the same and was dumbfounded. Do you think people are trying to get more for their toll money by extending the time spent on the toll motorway?M19 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 22:37 We had a day trip to Wales during the week and decided to take the M6Toll. As usual it was very quiet and decided to stop at Norton Caines for a comfort break.
The place was rammed. It seems no one was on the motorway because they were all at the service area. I couldn’t understand how such a quiet stretch of motorway could have a service area so busy.
Consumer Tip - Secret Services
Moderator: Site Management Team
Re: Consumer Tip - Secret Services
Re: Consumer Tip - Secret Services
I think it's because people assume it will be quiet.2 Sheds wrote: ↑Sat Sep 18, 2021 08:47I’ve experienced exactly the same and was dumbfounded. Do you think people are trying to get more for their toll money by extending the time spent on the toll motorway?M19 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 22:37 We had a day trip to Wales during the week and decided to take the M6Toll. As usual it was very quiet and decided to stop at Norton Caines for a comfort break.
The place was rammed. It seems no one was on the motorway because they were all at the service area. I couldn’t understand how such a quiet stretch of motorway could have a service area so busy.
Make poetry history.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Help with maps using the new online calibrator.
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Help with maps using the new online calibrator.
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki.
- Alderpoint
- Member
- Posts: 1686
- Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2015 14:25
- Location: Leamington Spa
Re: Consumer Tip - Secret Services
Coming back from West Wales last week via the Severn Bridge, we initially intended to stop at the northbound Gloucester Services for a decent coffee and sandwich.
But we sailed past there up to Tewkesbury where the wife suggested heading from the Brewers Fayre on the way into town, but I was not keen so found reason to keep to the outside line, missing the junction.
A few miles further north, I suddenly remembered a place just near Junction 7, so we ended up having a very civilised (but slighly late) lunch in the Swan at Whittington.
But we sailed past there up to Tewkesbury where the wife suggested heading from the Brewers Fayre on the way into town, but I was not keen so found reason to keep to the outside line, missing the junction.
A few miles further north, I suddenly remembered a place just near Junction 7, so we ended up having a very civilised (but slighly late) lunch in the Swan at Whittington.
Let it snow.
Re: Consumer Tip - Secret Services
Heading up to Aberdeen...
Forfar where the A94 intersects the A90...
Its a good place to pull off.... Right there McD KFC Greggs Petrol Station and Starbucks all within a stones throw of each other.
maybe not so secret but it is a good place for a stop.
Forfar where the A94 intersects the A90...
Its a good place to pull off.... Right there McD KFC Greggs Petrol Station and Starbucks all within a stones throw of each other.
maybe not so secret but it is a good place for a stop.
Re: Consumer Tip - Secret Services
or a better class of customerBig L wrote: ↑Sat Sep 18, 2021 17:12I think it's because people assume it will be quiet.2 Sheds wrote: ↑Sat Sep 18, 2021 08:47I’ve experienced exactly the same and was dumbfounded. Do you think people are trying to get more for their toll money by extending the time spent on the toll motorway?M19 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 22:37 We had a day trip to Wales during the week and decided to take the M6Toll. As usual it was very quiet and decided to stop at Norton Caines for a comfort break.
The place was rammed. It seems no one was on the motorway because they were all at the service area. I couldn’t understand how such a quiet stretch of motorway could have a service area so busy.
“The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie" - Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn
Johnny Mo
Johnny Mo
Re: Consumer Tip - Secret Services
One I've used is Grantham Services -- Of the slip road turn right into a garden centre with a nice café upstairs
“The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie" - Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn
Johnny Mo
Johnny Mo
Re: Consumer Tip - Secret Services
I've noticed the same thing and do wonder why. I think the expectation it will be quiet doesn't help, but I suppose that while there are fewer people on the road, an unusually large proportion of them will be doing the sort of long journey where a service station stop is required. Geographically, it's more likely to be in the middle of a lot of journeys too.M19 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 17, 2021 22:37 We had a day trip to Wales during the week and decided to take the M6Toll. As usual it was very quiet and decided to stop at Norton Caines for a comfort break.
The place was rammed. It seems no one was on the motorway because they were all at the service area. I couldn’t understand how such a quiet stretch of motorway could have a service area so busy.
I think there's another factor though, which is the psychological feeling of 'hard won' miles and making progress. If you're in heavy or queueing traffic, stopping at a service station can somehow feel like you're making it worse or giving up. I suppose you are elongating the frustrating experience of congestion - the "let's just get through this and we can stop afterwards" effect - but obviously, unless the situation is significantly deteriorating, when you choose to stop should have no particular effect on your journey time. The M6 toll is almost always free flowing so would never affected by this, whereas congestion is common on all the surrounding roads.
So maybe the best place to stop is just before or after the M6T in bumper to bumper traffic?!
- haymansafc
- Member
- Posts: 4808
- Joined: Sun Mar 19, 2006 16:52
- Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
Re: Consumer Tip - Secret Services
Speaking of garden centres, another one worth considering as a 'service station' would be Houghton Hall - which is located just over a mile off M6 junction 44, along the A689. You can see it clearly from the motorway when heading north. When heading south, it's something you need to 'know' that's there.
I've used this a couple of times over the likes of Gretna Green - both the service station and the place (Todhills has never appealed to me, even when it was still the A74), on my way back from Scotland.
I've used this a couple of times over the likes of Gretna Green - both the service station and the place (Todhills has never appealed to me, even when it was still the A74), on my way back from Scotland.
The journey is never over until the arrival.
Re: Consumer Tip - Secret Services
For those who need a break off the M11 at Harlow but don't fancy a McDonalds, there's the Harlow Garden Centre.
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.7414484 ... a=!3m1!1e3
https://www.google.com/maps/@51.7414484 ... a=!3m1!1e3