A30/A303

Here are details on the services on the A30/A303, starting at Basingstoke and ending at Hayle. Also on Motorway Services Online: Services on the M3, M5, A34, A35, A38 and the former Weyhill services.

Popham

Between Basingstoke and Andover, Hampshire, SO21 3SP. [Google Maps link]

Facilities: Westbound: Little Chef, BP, Marks and Spencer Simply Food
Eastbound: Esso
Services type: Two sites staggered located between junctions, with no public connection between them.

Notes: The Little Chef here featured in a three-hour documentary on Channel 4 in January 2009, where Heston Blumenthal tried to completely refurbish the brand. For months after the documentary was aired, the site (which used to be near-empty), was packed with customers, although it took boss Ian Pegler several months before he agreed to roll it out. It is currently being trialled at two more services.

There used to be a restaurant eastbound, this was the Micheldever Little Chef.

Barton Stacey

Westbound only.
Between Basingstoke and Andover, Hampshire, SO21 3NF. [Google Maps link]

Facilities: Little Chef, Shell, Travelodge^{[book rooms]}
Services type: Single site located between junctions on the westbound side only.

Notes: none.

The Buck

Eastbound only.
Between Basingstoke and Andover, Hampshire, SP11 6NJ. [Google Maps link]

Facilities: BP
Services type: Single site located between junctions on the eastbound side only.

Notes: none.

Solstice Park

Westbound only.
Between Amesbury and Andover, Hampshire, SP4 7SQ. [Google Maps link]

Facilities: KFC, Pizza Hut, Harvester, Holiday Inn^{[book rooms]}, Fuel (Somerfield)
Services type: Single site located at a junction on the westbound side only.

Notes: Also accessible to eastbound traffic but this isn't signposted.

Countess

At Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7AS. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the A345.
Facilities: Little Chef, Burger King, Shell, Travelodge^{[book rooms]}
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: Also known as Amesbury. It's actually located on the A303 eastbound, but immediately after and with a link back to a roundabout. This is the closest motel to Stonehenge.

Willoughby Hedge

Westbound only.
Between Amesbury and Ilchester, Wiltshire, BA12 6AQ. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the B3089.
Facilities: Little Chef, Esso
Services type: Single site located at a junction on the westbound side only.

Notes: Traffic from the eastbound carriageway can access the services but this is not signposted. Instead, eastbound traffic is told to use the Pace garage and Little Chef at Chicklade, two miles to the east.

Sparkford

No HGVs.
Between Amesbury and Ilchester, Somerset, BA22 7PH. [Google Maps link]

Facilities: Shell
Services type: Single site located at the side of the road.

Notes: There used to be a restaurant here, it was a Happy Eater later becoming a Little Chef. It closed in 2008. The services come about two miles before another petrol station and former Welcome Break site at Camel Cross.

Podimore

Between Amesbury and Ilchester, Somerset, BA22 8JG. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the A37 and the A372.
Facilities: Little Chef, Burger King, Total, Travelodge^{[book rooms]}
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: none.

Townsend

Eastbound only, no HGVs.
Between Ilchester and Ilminster, Somerset, BA22 8PF. [Google Maps link]

Facilities: Jolly Diner, Shell
Services type: Single site located between junctions on the eastbound side only.

Notes: There is a 'secret exit' onto Bearley Lane.

Cartgate

Between Ilchester and Ilminster, Somerset, TA14 6RA. [Google Maps link]

Facilities: Picnic Tables, Toilets, Tourist Information
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: A Highways Agency-run picnic area.

Ilminster

At Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 9PT. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the A358 and the B3168.
Facilities: Little Chef, Burger King, Shell, Travelodge^{[book rooms]}
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: none.

Whiddon Down

Between Exeter and Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2QT. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the A386.
Facilities: Little Chef, Esso, Costa Coffee, Travelodge^{[book rooms]}
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: none.

Whitehouse

Between Exeter and Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1QJ. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the B3260.
Facilities: BP, Budgens, Restaurant
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: Located on the former route of the A30. The services were recently rebuilt and now feature parking for over 150 cars as well as a new Budgens store, which is a rare sight on the roads.

Sourton Cross

Between Okehampton and Launceston, Devon, EX20 4LY. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the A386.
Facilities: Little Chef, Shell, Travelodge^{[book rooms]}
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: One of the largest services in this region. This site also has a picnic area with toilets, HGV Parking and Woody's Transport Cafe

Bodmin Moor

Westbound only.
Between Launceston and Bodmin, Cornwall, PL15 7RR. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the B3257.
Facilities:Spar, BP
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: The services are accessible to traffic on both sides, but are only signposted westbound.

Penlan

Eastbound only.
Between Launceston and Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 4HH. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the A386.
Facilities: Restaurant (Penlan Eating House), Spar, Shell
Services type: Single site located between junctions on the eastbound side only.

Notes: none.

Victoria

Between Bodmin and Redruth, Cornwall, PL26 8AQ. [Google Maps link]

Facilities: BP, Victoria Inn & Lodge
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: Prior to the new A30 bypass of Victoria this service area consisted of BP petrol stations on both sides and Roche Little Chef. The Little Chef and westbound petrol station closed as the road was constructed. At one time this was one of the busiest 'standalone' Little Chef sites in the country.

Penhale

Between Bodmin and Redruth, Cornwall, TR9 6NA. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the B3275.
Facilities: McDonalds, Brewers Fayre (Penhale Round) Pub-Restaurant, Jet, Premier Inn^{[book rooms]}
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: The services are opposite a shopping village.

Carland Cross

Between Bodmin and Redruth, Cornwall, TR8 5AY‎. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the A39.
Facilities: Shell, LPG
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: none.

Chiverton

Between Bodmin and Redruth, Cornwall, TR4 8HS. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the A390, A3075 and the B3277.
Facilities: Starbucks, Esso, Total
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: Also home to a car dealer. The two petrol stations are in direct competition with each other. Until 2008 the Starbucks was the Chiverton Cross Little Chef & Burger King.

Hayle

Between Redruth and Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 5PN. [Google Maps link]

Also accessible to traffic on the B3001.
Facilities: Picnic Tables, McDonalds, Brewers Fayre (Loggans Moor) Pub-Restaurant, Shell, Premier Inn^{[book rooms]}, Travelodge^{[book rooms]}
Services type: Single site located at a junction.

Notes: Known locally as Loggans Moor services, originally just a Shell Garage and Little Chef. The Premier Inn, adjoining pub and McDonalds all opened around 2003/4. The Little Chef subsequently closed in 2004 due to increased competition. Travelodge then built a hotel in the former carpark of the Little Chef in 2006 and plans were made for the Little Chef to reopen to coincide with the hotel opening. However, the owners of Little Chef got in to financial difficulties and the restaurant remains closed to this day. More recently a new shopping centre has opened off the same roundabout.

---

With thanks to Eric Snowdon for the information used on this page.