Gate services
A2 westbound between the M2 and Canterbury
Signposted from the road.
ME13 9LN
map and directions
Single site located between junctions on one side of the road.
The Gate Inn is an old facility which has managed to survive the modernisation of the A2. It has a partner on the other side, Harbledown.
Facilities
Outdoor Space: Woodland walk next to car park; public footpath connection Forecourt: Esso, Londis, Greggs, Costa Express, f'real Milkshakes, F'wip Frozen Desserts, Rollover, Tango Ice Blast, Free Cash Machine
Parking Prices
Short stay customer parking is available. No HGV or overnight parking is available.
This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.
Contact Details
đ˘ Address:
Gate Service Station
Gate Hill
Dunkirk
Faversham
Kent
ME13 9LN
- đ Official MFG/Gate website
- đ what3words: ///flap.skillet.leotard
- more map options
Trivia and History
The Gate pub was a historic facility provided on the old Watling Street, which appeared to be named after a toll gate. This was expanded to become the Gate Inn, which survived the A2 being upgraded with a short bypass in the 1970s. It has been a Grade II listed building since 1979.
At this stage there were proposals to build petrol stations on either side of the road. Only the westbound side was approved, and built by Esso. It initially had access in both directions via two turning lanes across the new dual carriageway.
In February 1984 the Gate Inn was taken over to become the Gate branch of Little ChefHistory, turning Gate into a full service area. A Travelodge was built in around 1995.
The Little Chef closed on 22 August 2012 as part of the chain's cutbacks. It was purchased by the former branch manager who turned it into Sheila's Kitchen, reopening the restaurant on 16 May 2013 with the kitchen retaining the look of an old pub whilst serving as a modern diner. Sheila's Kitchen closed its doors for the final time on 24 April 2019, with the owner moving on to focus on other business ventures.
Past the restaurant is the Esso petrol station which was rebuilt in 2006 as part of Esso's On the Run programme introducing a Costa cafĂŠ to the site. This was taken over by MRH in 2015 who introduced Hursts and Greggs brands to the site. MFG later replaced Hursts with a Londis store in 2020.
Redevelopment Plans
The original Travelodge car park, which sat on the south side of the forecourt, had been abandoned for many years. MFG were granted planning permission in November 2020 to build a coffee shop drive-thru on this land, but they have since acquired the former Gate Inn building and commenced work in early 2024 on converting the derelict building into a Costa Drive Thru, with eight new electric vehicle charging points forming a charging hub in the existing car park.
In an unexpected twist, Travelodge closed their hotel in April 2023. MFG have since acquired the building, meaning they now own the entire site, and also commenced work in early 2024 to demolish the hotel, replacing it with a McDonald's Drive Thru.
The Costa Drive Thru is set to open on 13 April 2024, with the EV chargers following shortly after. The McDonald's Drive Thru is set to open in early 2025.
Alternatives
| Previous: | Next: | |
| Medway (M2, 18 miles) | Services on the A2 | Harbledown (eastbound, ž mile) Jubilee (19 miles) |