For anyone who's driven around on UK motorways (that's highways for the rest of the world) and stopped by the service stations, you'll know that there is absolutely nothing to shout about service stations in UK. They'er only good for a free toilet stop, and getting an expensive coffee to keep you awake. Last weekend, on the way back home from the Team UK Hive meetup , I stopped by a service station that was an absolute breath of fresh air compared to all the other service stations I've visited. So nice that I spent three whole hours here and only left because that's the time limit on free parking.
Service stations on UK motorways are operated by a handful of companies and the eateries and shops inside are dominated by high street chains. They are not places you want to spend more than 20 minutes there. Gloucester Services is different. It's operated by a family run business in conjunction with a local community charity. The building itself is built on farmland, and is located amongst some of the prettiest natural area in the region. In order to preserve the surounding landscape and not to erect an ugly concrete eyesore, they dug into the land so the landscape wraps around the service station and car park. Then they added a 4000 square meter green roof and planted vegetation that is similar to the surrounding natural environment. This ensures the service station blends in with the area and does not stand out too much should hikers visit the nearby elevated areas. Big thumbs up to integrate a modern facility with the local ecology.
Once you step inside the space is so airy and natural, very different from the other concrete based functional service stations. The main dining area is straight ahead from the entrance and extends all the way to the back where there is a pond and more outdoor green space. What I love most was the wooden ceiling beams running through the center of the building from front to back and the big opening in the center that lets the natural light flush inside.
To the left is the Quick Kitchen for people who don't want to sit down for a meal and just want to grab quick coffee or bite.
This wall talks about the ethos behind the service station and how they work with and support the local community. It always nice to learn more about a place you go to.
The highlight of the service station for me is the Farmshop. All the produce inside are sourced from local suppliers, including many smaller artisan business. Selling their products here give them an opportunity to reach more customers than just their normal farmer market or small local village shops.
I'm a massive sucker for good artisan bread, and cakes etc. They have a great variety here, as many as, if not more than other normal farm shops. The patisserie counter looked so mouth watering and I was so tempted to get a few pieces of cake, but I was worried they wouldn't last the journey home.
Knowing who grew the produce you're eating and where it came from is always nice. Not that it makes any difference to the actual taste, but it's the thought that there is life behind the produce, if you know what I mean.
Likewise for the meat and poultry from the butcher. Most of them came from local farmers, apart from the couple at the bottom of the list. Maybe there are no poultry suppliers locally.
Anyway, hubby was over the moon when he saw the butcher counter here because he found a particular breed of pork that we love. Gloucestershire old spots is a breed of pig, thought to be the oldest pedigree spotted pig breed in the world. They're reared outdoors, have high fatty content and a delicious succulent flavour. Not that many places sell them, and you certainly won't find them in your high street supermarket.
Hubby is rarely so enthusiastic when we go shopping unless it's something he likes to eat, and this definitely is the top of his list. He didn't even ask me if I wanted to buy any, and had a good chat with the butcher who gave him some tips on who best to roast it. Needless to say, we had a lovely roast pork dinner the next day and I didn't have to lift a finger. Too bad I forgot to take a photo of it as we were very eager to dig in!!!
We must have spent over an hour in the farm shop as it was lovely to browse through all the fresh produce. And that left me just enough time to grab a beautifully cooked Sunday roast dinner before it was time to leave. Luckily, the service station is about an hours away from me, and there are plenty of beautiful countryside for walks etc. I have a feeling I will be back pretty soon, and maybe I'll pick up some of these delicious looking chocolate next time.
