All The Motorway Service Stations Episode 6 - Kicked Out For Filming!

[@derekmarshall6332]

The abandoned building at Trowell services on the southbound side, was a Police depot. I used to maintain the computers in there, hence the blue door, which was a Nottinghamshire Police standard.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Insider info... nice. Thanks for watching!

[@davecooper3238]

That is how I remember the building.

[@iansayer783]

There's an abandoned police station in Trowel, but the building in the photos isn't it. It was a lorry driver's cafe, and later a hub for one of the coach holiday company

[@123Lesgeorg]

Most Service Stations up to the 80's had a police depot on one side or the other, when we had a proper Police service.

[@Johnketes54]

We had similar building for traffic wardens in the 60s and 70s

[@CoxallK]

If anyone had have said to me a year ago I'd watch over 15 minutes of video (and not skip one bit) about service stations up the M1, I would have told them to have a lie down for a year. A year later ....

[@chrisg1234fly]

me too!!!

[@robinking6201]

And me

[@Johnketes54]

I watch some more than once

[@jenniferroberts1974]

Pleasure meeting you that day. Great videos… informative and entertaining. Keep them coming 🙂

[@AutoShenanigans]

I genuinely thought you were coming over to kick us out :D thanks for not. Likewise, pleasure to meet you, we shall no doubt see you again on another one of our many road trips :) Thanks for watching!

[@MummaBear]

Public. Means public. However there are some buildings that have copyrights on them.

[@Sarge084]

I've been over that bridge at Northampton Services. I paid £17 to park my truck overnight because after a few days tramping I needed a shower. So, you can imagine my indignation when I went to get the key to the shower only to be told it wasn't available because of building work. I made my displeasure known to a manager who said he would arrange for me to cross the bridge to the northbound service area. That's not the end of the story, I went to use the shower only to find their was no hot water. You can imagine how pissed off, and frozen, I was!

[@mrglide7078]

Pretty much sums up the UK these days. Sadly

[@iansayer783]

Watford Gap gets it's name from a gap in the hills near the village of Watford. The Gap allowed the Grand Union canal to pass through hills without locks. It was joined later by the West Coast main line, then the A5 trunk road and the M1. They're all still there, within a few hundred yards of each other

[@davelewthwaite]

At the risk of being 'that guy' the A5 (aka Watling Street) was the first by nearly 2000 years... :p

[@5uper5kill3rz]

My mums twin sister lives in Yorkshire and we live in Oxfordshire, so I’ve been up the M1 countless times. I used to hate stopping at Watford Gap services as a kid, it just seemed completely grim and run down compared to some of the others. Leicester Forest East is my favourite, loads of choice and the bridge is really cool, we stopped there on Christmas day morning a couple years ago and had Harry Ramsdens Breakfast on the way up to see the family… was very quiet indeed and not a single other white family/person there, (as it was Christmas day).

[@mrglide7078]

@@5uper5kill3rz I confirm that Watford Gap is still grim. At least at night where the southbound carpark seems to be in complete darkness and has been for a while. How hard can it be to get a sparky contractor in to change the light bulbs in the light masts 🤷‍♂

[@MattBrunton1965]

The Grand Union Canal is separated from the northbound lorry Park just by a hedge.

[@warringtonminge4167]

@@5uper5kill3rz Leicester Forest East was always my favourite MSA right from back in the days when it was MotoRoss. The restaurants on the bridge were the USP and it was always a cut above (classier) than the Granadas etc. but the extravagant prices were no more extortionate than at its competitors.

[@roderickmain9697]

When I was small, we lived near Oxford and when heading to Scotland to see grandparents, we would come over to Towcester and head up the A5. I cam remember looking across the fields and seeing the M1 being extended up to Crick. Gosh I'm old.

[@kenstevens5065]

Trowell services I remember it well, named Mecca Village by locals after the original operator, it even boasted a waitress service restaurant in the early days, very posh with table cloths and knives and forks, no ale though. A cafeteria open 24/7 where you could take that young lady you met that night in Nottingham for an all night coffee when the pubs or the couple of clubs the City boasted in the 60's had closed or the Indian or Chinese restaurant had chucked you out. "Don't take me home duck at this time of night she'd say, Me Mam will kill me, I'll tell her I stopped at our Doreen's when I get home in the morning."

[@malcolmyoung7866]

As far as 'Spotter Status' goes...this channel is up there with the best...I drive trucks...this is basically where I live and work for 5 days a week...

[@andy70d35]

Well done Watford Gap, now you know which service station to go to and in Woodall's case avoid. Spend your money else where guys.

[@nickyboam3406]

I use that stretch of the M1 every day & Woodall appears to be run by the worst jobsworth's ever. Although theres less to choose from at Tibshelf a few miles south I pull in there instead. Much is made of Northern hospitality but Woodall management team don't seem to have inherited it.

[@666maiden5]

Woodalls is terrible never use it avoid avoid avoid management there are unreal

[@arthurvasey]

You left off Strensham!

[@redboyjan]

Avoid all of em

[@simonabbott7323]

I'd have been tempted to include the footage of the Jobsworth(s) who objected to your filming. They usually threaten you with loads of non-existent "laws": you need my permission to film me, you are breaching GDPR, this is private premises, etc.... Sometimes these idiots call the police (often using 999). They should be prosecuted for wasting police time.

[@VegasMilgauss]

I’d appreciate it if you could keep your thoughts to yourself.

[@McRocket]

4:00 - 👍 I watched these by having 3 sites open at once: this video, the Wikipedia list/map of all service stations and Google Maps. This, not being a Brit, allows me to see where they all are and how they look from above/within the area they serve. ☮

[@nervo6321]

As a trucker some of these you avoid some you use regularly...my personal favourites, Watford Gap and Tibshelf. I personally avoid Northampton services due to the hideous lorry parking.

[@waynekent7068]

Ohhhh. I think that last one might get an email from head office. "Leave Auto Shenanigans alone!"

[@AutoShenanigans]

Welcome Break head office couldn't have been any more unhelpful about the situation, in the end they just ignored my messages and emails, perhaps in the hope I'd go away. What's amazing is that companies like RoadChef and Moto responded in the complete opposite way and couldn't have been more accommodating so the lesson is, welcome break are d!cks and the others are alright.

[@Vtarngpb]

Sounds like it’s managed by a couple punts!

[@kirkmooneyham]

Watching these almost a year later. Found it quite odd that the last service station manager kicked you out for filming. Something terrible or secret about a service station? Can't imagine what.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Yep, it's probably a better call than the M1!

[@Johnketes54]

Hitlers and Karen's in abundance in supermarkets i should know i had to put up with the "Brown nosers" for 28 years

[@Acehigh-Jenkins]

Maybe the mangers leading a double life and can’t have their spouse and affair partner finding out about each other and all the little half sibling crotch goblins!

[@DAFPvnk]

6:00 northampton services bridge is very much used by staff though. I know as the McDonald's on either side will often share stock with each other if they are running low on any items.

[@danburfot334]

Surprised you haven't sneakily used the hidden roads that often connect north and south services. They are for staff to be able to commute easily, rather than having to drove down to the next exit and back up again.

[@JackMellor498]

I regularly stop at Woodall if I drive up North for weekends away, and unless I’m an idiot and just can’t find where it comes out, you can’t use the bridge any more, for whatever reason.

[@mid-walesrover681]

The smallest Marks & Spencer is not to be found in Donington services. Instead visit the Grainger Market in Newcastle upon Tyne to find the sole surviving Marks & Spencer 'Penny Bazaar' market stall, opened in 1895.

[@MikeyManchester]

M&S Foods are different to stores/stalls selling none foods

[@sameyers2670]

We used to have scheduled breaks on some of the coaches at Woodall services pre Covid.

[@GavinColbourne]

I remember when I was a teenager going from Norfolk to Wiltshire and always stopping at Oxford Service Station

[@isladurrant2015]

Delightful and educational as motorway service stations are:... any chance of tips to avoid them? I.e. off motorway eateries and fuel... I always imagine a cosy pub with good coffee and tea, maybe a garden, maybe a fish and/or duck pond ... cream teas and a massage? Actually a greasy spoon with chequered table cloths would be more than acceptable x

[@ulazygit]

Lived at sandiacre (j25) for a few years back in the early noughties… also worked at donington business park (just being built) 2010-2012 … regular trips to Leeds (wife’s home before we moved in together) and Milton Keynes/London (family) … Watford Gap was always a ‘milestone’ and just south of the former Rugby Radio Station (Hillmorton) where until early 2000’s the radio pips were broadcast from … known as MSF and was derived from three atomic clocks!

[@BMordecai]

Great memories of me and my mates when we were younger walking along the bridleways and crossing fields to get to Woodhall Services for a late night Maccies!

[@francispritchard2867]

A fact about the Tibshelf Services - they had to postpone the opening on the South Side as the HGVs got stuck on the sharp curve on the slip road and it had to be rebuilt.

[@WeAreThePeople1690]

For future reference regarding filming and people who have a problem with it. Its totally legal as long as it doesn't say you can't. And you can't be asked to leave for doing so. Its a public place, or publicly accessible private grounds. And they will all have cctv as well. Just point to their cameras and ask how its any different. I get challenged the odd time by the little busybodies when I am videocalling the weans or wife, they think that they have some magical power to tell us what to do, and we must obey.

[@peterhogben3304]

Couldn't have put it better myself.

[@peterhogben3304]

Always a bummer when asked to get out for filming random shit, that some people might not be interested in.

[@DrRusty5]

I think we will all subconsciously avoid Woodhall Services from now on, what miserable management.

[@TheManFrayBentos]

Private land, the owner can invite you to leave or stop filming. Nothing to do with being publically-accessible or not. As a photographer, I've looked into this many times, and been pissed off more than once, but it's their place, their rules.

[@hedydd2]

@@TheManFrayBentos Yes I’m afraid so. Not sure why some management types are so against it when thousands see it with their own eyes daily but it might have something to do with ‘power-trips’. They may just like being arses.

[@davidmalin5491]

Here’s a tip if you stop at a service station with a Greggs go there. Tea and coffee in the main service ares usually is £2.40 or more in Greggs it is half that. I have stopped in all these services and whilst Tibshelf is the nicest it is also the most expensive by far.

[@stevefrost64]

I'm sure someone has already pointed out the London Gateway was originally called Scratch Wood Services.

[@pierrewave7235]

I remember when London Gateway Services was Scratchwood Services. P.S. If you are southbound on The M.1. and are thinking of stopping there, watch out for 'dead man's curve' at the end of the sliproad.

[@surfblue63]

Had to look it up as I had never heard of London Gateway. Then found it is the old (no sniggering at the back now) Scratchwood Services.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Another great video, shame the last one did not like you filming but well done to Watford Gap for letting you speak to them. I will most likely be stopping at Weatherby at the weekend when I head to Leeds.

[@AutoShenanigans]

We just did Wetherby yesterday in preparation for next weeks episode. It's a real shame they didn't like us filming but it's private land so they can chuck us out if they want. The most annoying thing is so far, Welcome Break have ignored my emails and requests for permission. Ah well, Just hide the camera better next time :D

[@Duncan2kai7]

The abandoned building on the south side of Trowell services used to be used as a staff accommodation training block. I fondly remember visiting it many times when working with the then operator Granada. Sorry to see it's no longer in use it was lovely inside.

[@West.Ham1964]

We used to do the Hammers travel club up the M1 to away games (booze wasn't allowed) and we'd stop at Watford Gap for an hour and there was a nearby little pub just up a side road beside the canal that we'd sprint to and neck as many beers before running back. It always was my favourite service station even though I never saw it.

[@mike61219]

Thank you so much for your very informative and unique channel. I used to travel the M1, so much whenst my parents were alive, and many fond memories of all the service stations, whilst I was heading to Derbyshire.

[@marionbanks-wilkinson8368]

I worked at Rothersthope services in 1987 and walked backwards and forwards across the bridge when I was assigned to the coffee shop on the one side rather than the main restaurant on the east side. When built there was a fake train area in the seating area for families.

[@KCTalksEV]

This is like Secrets of the Underground but for motorway services, of which thanks to EV ownership I am getting very familiar with. Love it!

[@sleepyrider]

I believe Watford Gap was originally Blue Boar services. This started out as a transport cafe on the adjacent A5, when they opened the M1 they gave them the franchise as their custom was about to dry up. That site is now a lorry yard.

[@kenstevens5065]

Watford Gap, yes it was Blue Boar and it looked a dump but in fairness I never stopped there, much mocked by Jimmy Young and Terry Wogan on their radio shows years ago when people actually listened to BBC radio. Escaped sandwiches on the carriageway were often mentioned.

[@nigelwinterbottom5329]

Whilst at Rothersthorpe (Northampton) you missed the opportunity to investigate the two left over slip roads adjoining Banbury Lane which I assume served the original "Blue Boar" service station. Both have become a bit overgrown now but can still be accessed from Banbury Lane. Stout footwear is essential however.

[@chillybrit2334]

Toddington Services footbridge over the M1 scared the crap out of me. Had to go from the Northbound to Southbound service area with a large backpack full of tools and carrying a large box to do some work. Twas a very windy and sideways rain day. The height of the walls (with rail on top) each side felt disconcertingly low as I was pushed from side to side by the wind, traffic whizzing by at silly speed just below. A design of its time I suppose.

[@eddiemaylor2716]

I remember Tibshelf opening, and have used it regularly for many years since. I have had two breakdowns at Leicester Forrest so not such good memories of there.

[@simaesthesia]

Loved the use of Erik Satie Gymnopédie No.1 for the background music - I love playing it on my piano. Actually having a catch up on this playlist. Quality, John! Si.

[@RichieRouge206]

I absolutely loved the Ground Force theme! Brilliant! What a cool video - thank you for your effort and great work!

[@donsmith2833]

Seeing the WH Smith shops makes me a bit nostalgic, they were sold off in Canada and renamed or closed.

[@johnd6487]

I always look at the bridge at Trowell with curiosity, it seems to suggest that the place was a lot bigger and better appointed than it is now, although there is some sort of coziness about it does make me want to stop there whenever I drive past

[@brucedanton3669]

Thank you for this-well done of course too!!

[@sameyers2670]

I regularly go past all these services as I drive long distance coaches up and down the M1

[@fordy6351]

Thank you Auto Shenanigans for a very relaxing (yet quick) drive along the M1! I have not personally covered that stretch in 16 minutes but enjoyed learning about the various service areas. Very good effort by Tibshelf, and sad to see ‘grumpy Woodall’ not playing along. Wont use that one again, but know most of them very well. Anyway, nice one! and keep up the excellent work, hat or no hat very good effort!!😵‍💫

[@AhsokaTanoTheWhite]

Yeah, screw Woodall services from now on.

[@chillybrit2334]

I always wondered what Lemmy Kilmister was up to after he was most certainly not Killed By Death. Here we see him rejuvenated and chilling incognito as silent chauffeur guy. Of course if he spoke, he'd be instantly recognised and have to not be Killed By Death all over again.

[@David_Owsnett]

I used to play chicken on the bridges with my mates and my brother.. it was such a lot of fun.

[@kyte4201]

Great and informative channel. I certainly know all the service stations from the M25 and up to the Chesterfield exit,(29 I think) before heading to the High Peak. I remember well the Blue Boar, but the last time I travelled the M1 was when my parents were alive. The drive was always arduous, but I loved it around Christmas time.

[@ryanparker4996]

Fully convinced that you and Jago Hazzard are the same person, Dr Jekyll amd Mr Hyde style. When Jago sees a motorway, his alter ego is triggered, he becomes the Auto Shenanigans man

[@MrGreatplum]

As we all now know, jago Hazzard is in fact Harry Beck!

[@edwilko8819]

i ised to work at Newport pagnell services for 5 years, that is not an abandoned building its actually now the maintenance shead has been for 20years or so, the bunglow was next to the old hotel where the new fence is as developers are on phase 5 of red house park. used to jave the biggest plot of land of any uk services and was only stopped by the private fishing lakes of little linford used to have my lunch next to it. the transport building is now the police station, rest rooms amd indoor car wash for what was highways and traffic force. the bridge windows were only partly lowwer plastic coated frosting when i worked there, then they did the top half about 4 years ago as they dont want people hagging about looking out and the glass is bearly held in place and bridge is extremely weak (cant get head off to pay for a new one and talk of closing it)

[@ASteele8450]

I always visit Leicester Forest East service’s on my way to Nottingham, probably one of the only best ones on the M1 I have come across :)

[@AutoShenanigans]

It's not bad at all. I'm a Roadchef fan... Watford Gap for me :D

[@dennisbull8764]

me and my cat enjyed that, great to see the trip take it toll on you as the miles added up as it is for us all.

[@Shads5]

I remember London Gateway Services when it was named Scratchwood when I lived nearby in North London

[@TrainNutter]

2:20 All i remember from little chef. Was having a stale burger bun, the only time i ever went

[@MrGreatplum]

Great to see that you are welcomed at Watford gap (which if I’m travelling up the M1 I will always stop at…) but that last service station is obviously a den of pillocks….

[@JD-wn3cc]

I remember a fairly high standard sit down, waiter service in Leicester forest in the 80s. Very different days. Also, I believe its being living on borrowed time for a while now as when budgets allow, there's plans to expand the roads in that area given its proximity to a significant junction and it being busy, and because of the bridge being right up to the existing lanes, it needs to be removed to make the motorway wider

[@alexanderelliott3013]

Saw pit lane is used by the emergency services to cross the carriage way

[@tacka73]

15:18 got scared about being too north only 2 more official service stations on M1 and you would have completed it 😂

[@nigelcox1451]

This was a little gem. Over the years, I've stopped at all of these, except Donnington. Will need to travel the M1 next week sometime, so Donnington services it is then.

[@orbtastic]

I once went into the toilets in Leicester forest and someone had taken a MASSIVE shit, then literally picked it up and wiped it all over the cubicle walls, door and toilet. Then left it in a messy pile on top of the toilet lid. I will admit I felt a bit sick then spent the rest of the M1 journey wondering what sort of animal does that and why.

[@ymishaus2266]

That was me and I did it just for you, be grateful.

[@Setch4579]

One evening we were going south on the M1 and stopped at Trowell services. We stopped in the car park for a while, attention caught by many groups of pied wagtails flying in and noisily settling to roost in a few trees right by the entrance. Might be a bit light by the front door, but toasty warm I guess! This was a few years ago, but I hope their descendents are roosting there to this day.

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

A couple of years ago, I was picking my eldest up from uni and on the way, stopped off at Watford Gap for a quick break. In walking towards the toilets, it seems like a naked man was walking in as well. Thinking little of it, on the way back out, out of the corner of my eye I saw the same thing again as a guy in a luminous green mankini walked through the crowded services back towards the car park, leaving little to the imagination. Was the weirdest journey ever!

[@davecooper3238]

I am old enough to remember the M1 opening. There was a big thing at the time about there always being a bridge between north & south service areas. Can’t remember why it was & when the authorities dropped the requirement.

[@cmartin_ok]

Ah - I am sure that when I was a kid and we went on family holidays etc, there was always a bridge across the motorway at every services. Looks like my memory isn't playing tricks then, and as you say, I wonder when this was changed and why

[@webcmg]

I wonder if there is now only a requirement for a footbridge to the other side when there is no road access to the other side (e.g. like Northampton). I think the bridges were originally there because there were often different services on the northbound and southbound side (e.g hotel and different fast food restaurants on Northbound at Newport Pagnell).

[@davecooper3238]

@@webcmg I have been thinking back. I am pretty sure that foot bridges were there because in 1961 they were still seen as ‘destinations’ people would drive in from opposite directions & meet across the bridge. Another thing was that so they could not be accused of having a monopoly they sold the major brands of fuel. Each brand has had it’s own set of pumps. I can only speak for Watford Gap. In 1961 and for a few years after. No hotels. But they did have a workshop to deal with breakdowns. They had a monopoly. No body else inc AA & RAC allowed to repair vehicles. Both sides at Watford Gap had two cafés. One with upholstery on chairs. That was aimed at the general public. The second with plastic seating and transport menus aimed at the commercial drivers. As café racers we used the HGV facilities. Two main reasons. The coffee etc cost less & our waxed cotton clothing would have soiled the seating in the other café. Some HGV drivers were occasionally a bit sniffy about us being in there.

[@kenstevens5065]

Dave, you remember hardly anyone travelled at night when the Motorways opened and loads of truckers often followed the old trunk roads and it was years before all the old transport cafes closed. You could get proper home, inexpensive and non greasy spoon cooking in most of them and some good crack if you fancied a natter. Much better than today gawping into mobile phones. It was amazing how many of the new car driving generation of sales reps used them as well in the 1960's.

[@davecooper3238]

@@kenstevens5065 Early 60s evenings were spent riding between transport cafés. We did not actually race but we did hurry up a bit.

[@JD-wn3cc]

Mate, skipped a bit there on Donnington. All the hotel rooms looking into the main court, the seating area and pond out the back.

[@madhatter61]

Markfield, you can't get more abandoned than Markfield services.

[@robbutterill1426]

im assuming the only reason the rothersthorpe bridge remains is simply whoever runs the services (roadchef etc.) owns the land and bridge but cannot afford/doesnt want to pay the costs to close the motorway entirely both sides for at least 24/48hrs and a demo team to take it down. if the bridge structure itself is solid, no point taking it down until it becomes dangerous

[@themightyimp08]

This auto played after one of your previous videos and I thought that it was a bit dull as it seemed to be very heavy on the services coverage.. then I realised that was the entire point of the video.

[@gsmith1019]

Donington/Donington Park. Wonder if the 'Park' was dropped to avoid confusion with Donington Park the motoracing circuit?

[@Vtarngpb]

🎶”The ketchup-covered jewel of Northamptonshire!”🎶

[@johnsimun6533]

I have not looked up older videos but 2:23 is that the first end that was built/opened for public use? Or was the other end first?

[@smogmonster1876]

Always known the thing about Watford Gap being the supposed boundary between north and south and I’ve actually been to Watford Gap (Northbound) on my way home from from a protest rally in London. The coach driver stopped at Watford Gap but I didn’t think there was actually a sign. Shame I didn’t see it. I was there in 2019. Don’t know when (if ever) I’ll be past there again. However if I am I’ll certainly look for the sign.

[@sixcylinders6346]

One of the reasons that you were maybe asked to stop filming was to do with those clowns that call themselves auditors. They go around looking for and causing confrontation with anybody of authority, then when they get the attention that they’re obviously seeking, they claim that they are standing up for peoples rights. This looks like a classic example of what they do spoiling things for normal people (such as yourself) wanting to make a genuinely informative video. Keep up the good work 👍

[@AutoShenanigans]

I can't say I'm keen on the "auditors"

[@Lewbo93]

LFE is one of my favourites... but I'm biased as I can walk there and sit and watch the M1 with my dinner lmao

[@itznoah8796]

Little Chef operated until 2017, Toddington was the last on the Motorway.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Quite right, should have been more clear

[@1988dgs]

Amazed (not in a good way) how many service stations (separate sites ones) have the one on your side first, then a few miles up the road, the one on the other side… problem being you see the signs on your side and don’t think you need them, so don’t, for the next few miles think about it then deeply regret it when you see the one on the other side, the one you can’t get to…

[@suzyqualcast6269]

Sausage, chips n beans used to be our tea stop on a sixties motor from Iver to Wallasey with m'parents. Looked fwd to that alone.

[@ClassicTrialsChannel]

We would drive up to trowell services from long eaton once a week(midnight ish) back in the early 80s to play on the arcade machines. as it was open 24/7. it had a service road to the otherside so we could get home. which you wasn't meant to use and the cops would nick you if caught .

[@andreaspence8459]

Great video's just one thing, please get that seat belt fixed on your car! it is an MOT fail.

[@tonys1636]

How I miss the proper sit down, table service restaurants that they used to have, ranging from the normally priced to a few really posh siver service ones, that's why truckers had their own cafés. A lot were operated by Forte's, that may have influenced the styling of some. An hour or more break for breakfast, luncheon or dinner was welcome. Now all we get is fast food chains, adding to our stressful, unhealthy lifestyle today and our increasing obesity.

[@neilevans8940]

It pees me off that you can no longer get a Full English at most service areas... I want a traditional meal on a china plate with a proper knife and fork, not some franchised American bullshit out of a bucket... and don't start me on being expected to clear the table when I've done eating... What is the world coming to... 🙄

[@tonys1636]

@@neilevans8940 !00% agree. Coach drivers had free food as well, didn't matter if you were running empty either, just show the licence No. badge. I wasn't even in a coach once but still had the uniform on, just running the GF back to Swansea from London after work. We both looked a bit windswept though, had the Alpine's roof down!

[@neilevans8940]

@@tonys1636 I worked in the coach trade on the spanners for most of the 80s and was having the driving tuition until I fell out with the gaffer's missus and left, so learnt a few of the dodges... 😉

[@brucedanton3669]

You are so right on that alas really-and it is such a shame really too. Fast food chains may seem alright in a way, but all they are doing somehow as you say is making us sort of feel ill and obesity with it too. Thank you of course anyway!!

[@PhilReynoldsLondonGeek]

Scratchwood/London Gateway was a frequent stop on trips to France prior to the M25 opening. It was also local to me at one time, standing near Mill Hill in the borough of Barnet. I once caught the zip of my fleece in the bonnet of a Daewoo Lanos here - the service centre had failed to close it correctly a few days previously and the bonnet was rising when I joined the M1 at junction 2. Someone initially failed to listen to me and thought I was trying to push the car when in fact I needed someone to pull the bonnet release. The banners at Newport Pagnell can just about be seen from the motorway but not really much. I know every service area on the M1 quite well. Woodall has to be my favourite. I think Newport Pagnell is a little annoying due to the difficult stairs for the bridge, Leicester Forest East one (of two) really annoying lift. Donington is notable for its distance to drive to/from the motorway, as you mentioned. It is a frequent stop for me. Trowell was originally run by Mecca Leisure and was said to have a great restaurant. It also appeared in series 2 of "Auf Wiedersehen Pet" - Wayne stops there on his way to Wolverhampton (actually

[@TheMrMarkW]

Ah, yes. Woodall Services, also known as 'Welcome Break-In' - the service station with the worst crime figures of any services due to the fact there's a quick exit to the A618 & local roads rather than being forced onto the motorway and as such, the local scrotes turn up regularly to break into vehicles in the car parks - I had my car broken into there and the police apparently are there most days due to smash & grabs being done to get contents of people's boots such as Laptops etc. Their head of security is utterly useless and the CCTV apparently doesn't work (apart from the ANPR bit which does, so they can charge any motorists who park longer than a couple of hours, but it doesn't cover that little slip road to the A618)

[@Trecar-vl9ev]

Used Woodall Services last year when driving back south overnight. Unable to buy a coffee as the shop was open but unstaffed. Waited 10 minutes for someone to appear but gave up in the end. Was not impressed with the service one bit and if that is symptomatic of the quality to be expected not surprised they objected to you filming. We always give Woodall a miss now.

[@motorwaysuk9878]

The Leicester forest east petrol has changed from shell to welcome break fuel

[@highpath4776]

Scrachwood is not unique, but must be the largest, hotel/tourist coach interchange site where a number of local feeders meet up with the 2 3 4 and longer tours + london day trip tours

[@DeannaEarley]

“Opened around 1969 [pause]” Nice ;p

[@stuartmenziesfarrant]

Why have the service station footbridges fallen out of favour, I think it's an excellent addition for customers/traveller's!

[@dannygroom3327]

Euston station smallest m+s (small one not the not quite as small one)

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Interesting you resisted the temptation to play the Watford Gap, watford gap, plate of grease song. I guess though as Roadchef were so nice and unlike welcome break, friendly. Its wouldn't be fair to do so.

[@MrTurtlebar]

Really interesting series. Thanks. One of the unusual things about Trowel Services is it has a road bridge just behind it which links it to a service road called Waterloo Lane which leads to Trowel. Not sure why it has this but as mentioned in other comments when it opened it had a ‘destination restaurant’ with waitress service so maybe a way to access both sides of the services without needing to use the M1? Is this the only services with a pedestrian footbridge and road bridge?

[@kevinringrose7526]

The B5385 crosses the M1 just north of Watford Gap, from which there are a pair of cheeky access roads to the services on either carriageway... Now, if you're fairly rebellious like myself, and don't mind running the odd 'No Entry' sign these access roads do make for a handy unofficial J16a... Handy, that is, for example... If you fall asleep and somehow miss J16 or J18...Or fancy chancing your arm taking the back way into Daventry... Or if you feel the need to merrily skip between the A5 and the M1.... Or if you find yourself needing to get to or from some backwater hillbilly village in the middle of the nowhere known more commonly as Northamptonshire.

[@garethaethwy]

Good lord, Jon has hair! I thought that hat was a permanent fixture...

[@elnido4184]

To what I remember back in the 80s I belive strangely seeing motorway forecourts selling different fuel ⛽️ 1 pump for shell, another for Esso and another for BP.

[@bustersw1760]

London Gateway ? What happened to Scratchwood services.

[@SteveMonk1956]

I used to love stopping at Watford Gap Services, there used to be a Wimpy bar there. Another great British food outlet gone.

[@robbutterill1426]

what about wooley edge or leeds skelton? or did you do the “original” m1 road from london to sheffield without the 90’s Leeds extension?

[@damiendye6623]

M1 was to leeds before the 90s

[@sarkybugger5009]

I was wondering what happened to Woolley Edge. I used be up and down the M1 to Wakefield almost weekly, but not for 15 years

[@RBXTrains]

Obviously not been in the M&S in Birmingham New Street station!

[@williamwallacedebruce9221]

I'm the same, if I cant find a piece of paper, I wright on my arm as well

[@loveisall5520]

Such a different method of freeway relief compared to ours in the US. Here, anyone with a little money can open their own roadside businesses along our Interstates. They certainly vary from rather nice (though nothing like yours) to really nasty and filthy.

[@EricThomasHunterSweetland]

Watford Gap, Watford Gap, where the food is rubbish and the coffee's crap...... The Watford Gap Song :-)