A new Channel 5 show has unveiled the nation’s favourite motorway service station, with contributor Rich Cross sharing his own verdict
Kimberly Nhundu Under 35s Screen Time reporter
21:42, 24 May 2026Updated 21:45, 24 May 2026
Rich Cross has spent thousands visiting every service station(Image: Channel 5)
A man who has toured every motorway service station across Britain has identified one that made a lasting impression.
On Sunday evening (May 24), Channel 5 broadcast its new programme Britain’s Best Service Station presented by JLS member JB Gill.
The pop star embarked on a journey to explore the “weird and wonderful world of UK service stations,” speaking with specialists throughout his travels.
At one of his destinations, JB met with so-called ‘Services King’ Rich Cross, who has invested more than £10,000 visiting every motorway rest area nationwide.
When pressed to select his preferred service station, Rich declined to pick one. “I couldn’t possibly have a favourite. They all have their own quirks and their own interesting features,” he said, reports the Mirror.
Rich said Rotherham Services stands out as one of the best service stations in the country(Image: Channel 5)
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the recently-launched Rotherham Services ranks amongst his top choices.
Rich elaborated: “This site stands out for me because it is just a completely different design to what we’ve seen before. The interior has depicted a typical Yorkshire High Street with mock shop-fronts.”
He continued to outline his passion for rest stops, stating: “They [service stations] certainly are an exciting experience for everybody, not just kids.
“They offer something completely unique and completely different, kind of mini shopping centre on the side of a motorway.”
Rich’s distinctive pastime began during childhood. As the son of a truck driver, he treasures recollections of spending Inset days and school holidays travelling along motorways with his dad.
Rich has been interested in service stations since he was a child(Image: Channel 5)
Although Rich was unable to select a personal favourite, Channel 5 ultimately revealed the nation’s top five service stations, as determined by a Which? survey.
Prior to the broadcast, however, viewers had already made their preferences known on social media. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one user declared: “It’s Tebay and that’s it.”
Another concurred: “Tebay is obviously going to win, but really it should be Markham Vale or Skelton Lake,” while a third simply stated: Tebay. End of.”
It appears viewers were not entirely on the mark, as the survey placed Tebay Services in second position, with Gloucester Services ultimately claiming the coveted top spot.
Britain’s Best Service Station is available to stream on Channel 5