Let’s face it, most motorway service stations are dull, uninspiring places with endless variations of identical fast-food chains, overpriced meal deals, and outdated, tired buildings. They hardly make for a comfortable and fun rest stop after a long journey. However, one service station proves it doesn’t have to be this way! Let us introduce Tebay Services.
You’ll find Tebay Services located on the M6 in Cumbria between junctions 38 and 39. As you turn off the motorway, you will quickly realise you aren’t driving into any old run-of-the-mill service station. It is like you’ve entered a quaint farm shop located in the picturesque countryside. Comedian Frank Skinner once perfectly described it with the line ‘if there is a road to heaven, Tebay would be the service station on that road’.
Independent, Farmer-run Services
Tebay’s northbound services opened in 1972 by John and Barbara Dunning after the M6 was built through their farm in the late 1960s. It was the UK’s first, and remains one of the only independent, farmer-run services. After the success of the northbound site, the southbound site followed in 1992.
The family prides itself on offering a motorway services experience that provides high-quality and locally produced food, drink, and lifestyle products. So they can offer this, they work with a community of more than 70 producers, all located within a 30-mile radius of Tebay. These producers, some of whom have been there since the beginning, include the most talented local pie makers, brewers, coffee roasters, bakers, potters, soap makers, and much more.
What You Will Find Inside
Butchers’ Counter
At the counter you’ll find passionate and trained butchers selling native-breed lamb, beef, and Herdwick mutton from the family’s farm. You will be able to purchase sausage, burgers, free-range poultry, seasonal wild game, and much more. The butchers practise whole-animal butchery, an endangered craft that encourages ethical and sustainable consumption.
Cheese Counter
The counter offers a wide range of award-winning and handmade cheese from around the UK and across Europe. They work closely with local and regional makers of raw-milk and farmhouse cheese that are unique to their environments and seasons. From the counter, you can choose from all the favourites, including vintage cheddars, smoked stilton, goat’s cheese, and organic brie.
Deli Counter
The deli counter offers a spread to end all spreads. Their skilled local producers bring you a wealth of handmade pastries, Scotch eggs, pies, and other savouries. You’ll also find the best of British charcuterie and the finest olives, whether to eat now or take home for your next picnic.
Lifestyle Shop
After you’ve had your share of delicious food and drink, you’ll want to browse the incredible lifestyle section. The shop is full of products designed by talented creators. They offer homewares, toys for the little ones, clothing, and wellbeing products. Alongside this, you will also find handmade home fragrances and natural skincare made exclusively for Tebay.
Kitchen and Restaurant
The kitchen and restaurant are an absolute foodie heaven. All food is made from scratch to give it that authentic home-cooked feel. As with the food counters, all meals are prepared using real, locally sourced ingredients from trusted, respected producers.
The lamb and native-breed beef are raised on the family farm. The bread is produced by The Artisan Bakery near Kendal. The coffee is roasted at Carvetii Coffee Roasters in the northern Lake District. Wild & Fruitful produce the seasonal fruit compotes. The Cumberland sausages are the butchers’ own recipe and are made with Cumbrian Pork. These are just some of the examples of locally produced products made with passion and expertise.
Catering for all the Family
Have the kids with you? Don’t worry, they don’t have to miss out! The majority of the hot dishes come in children’s portions.The best thing is, for children under 10, they cost just £1.50 when bought with an adult meal. They also sell Ella’s Kitchen baby food so no one goes hungry.
In the Northbound site, there is a woodland picnic area where families can eat and relax in a safe environment. In addition, there is also a picnic seating area by the duck pond, where you can see visiting wild mallards and the resident runner ducks. While you walk around the site, you might also be able to spot roe deer, red squirrels, and birds using the nest boxes.
So you can really relax and enjoy your time there; parking is free for three hours. If you want to stop overnight (including those in caravans, motorhomes, and HGVs), parking is available for £28 per night. This does include a £10 voucher for the kitchen.
If you want a break from the monotony of the same bleak service stations you get up and down our country’s motorways, then you have to pay a visit to Tebay Services. You’ll find a paradise of local produce made by talented individuals who care about what you eat, drink, and display in your homes.
P.S. Oh, we’d probably best mention that you can also get petrol there.
Read More: 16 Of The Best Farm Shops In Yorkshire To Visit
Feature Image Credit: Tebay Services
