Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
After polling thousands of drivers, consumer watchdog Which? crowned Gloucester Services as the best in the UK. Nestled between junctions 11A and 12 on the M5 motorway, these services, which I've had the pleasure of visiting, pride themselves on their fresh, locally-sourced food.
They claim to prepare their food just like you would at home, and this ethos is clearly evident throughout their kitchen and farm shop. Their website also boasts that they only stock the finest products from a range of local suppliers, including bakers, brewers, farmers, cheesemakers, coffee roasters and craftspeople.
I wasn't overly impressed with the bread and pastries left out in the open at the front of the service. The pastries appeared a bit dry and the bread looked past its best, although everything else was suitably covered.
The sheer variety of goods on offer was somewhat overwhelming, with food, fresh produce, homeware and clothing crammed into every available space, and it was bustling with customers.
The services also feature a fresh cheese counter, deli and meat counter, which all looked fantastic but could be impractical if you're not heading straight home afterwards.
I'm a big fan of a traditional butcher's shop, and had I been on my way home, I would have certainly picked up some fresh meat. They had a wide selection of items, from hand-pressed burgers to sausages and an array of sausage rolls, quiches and samosas.
The cheese counter was impressive, with a range of handmade cheeses from Gloucestershire and the South West as well as speciality cheeses from across the UK and Europe.
The gift section is endless, with a children's area, foodie section, clothing and more. It was impressive, and I could've spent a fortune, but the majority of items can be found online for cheaper.
As much as I love Gloucester Services, and have been there a few times now, there are two words which sum it up: very expensive.
It was nearly £4 for a small homemade brownie or blondie, which, in my opinion, is very expensive. Did it taste homemade? Absolutely, and it was delicious, but I'd never pay that price again.
Similarly, in the to-go range, a chicken Caesar wrap set me back nearly £8. Again, it tasted delicious, but nothing really seemed to be affordable.
At the patisserie counter, a macaron was also £3.85, which I would never pay. If you wanted a chocolate lolly, it would set you back £5.95.
Around the services, there are also small stands of various chocolates, including tea cakes, lollies and seasonal goods. A chocolate teacake, although homemade, cost £3.85.
If you're after a sit-down meal, their kitchen is where you can find an array of dishes, with everything from full English breakfasts in the morning to lasagne and pies until late.
The services also say the in-house bakers use traditional recipes and cupboard ingredients to bake cakes, scones and traybakes you find in the kitchen.
Despite being a service station where prices are typically higher, and considering their collaboration with local producers, I was quite content to pay the asking price.
Moreover, the services have a beneficial partnership with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, investing up to 3p of every £1 spent in the farmshop and kitchen back into local communities.
It was a delightful experience that provided a much-needed break on a lengthy journey to north Wales, and I would recommend it to anyone willing to spend a bit more.