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Content:
Northampton
MSO Home - Services List - Northampton
RoadChef services, M1 at J15a
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Road: M1 (also accessible to traffic on the A43)
Junction: J15a
Operator: RoadChef
Location: Northamptonshire NN4 9QS
Telephone: 01604 831888
Signed from the motorway? Yes
Previous operators: none
Previous names: Rothersthorpe
Services type: Two sites located within a junction, connected by a one mile public road.
Official website: Visit RoadChef's official website
Modern RoadChef services at the M1/A43 junction, although it's been designed so that you can enter and leave the services without passing through the main junction.
Choose a section: Main Page | Location, Map & Directions
Facilities:
Key: northbound only | southbound only
General: Pay Phones, BT Openzone, Business Lounge
Food/Drink: Costa Coffee, RestBite, Wimpy
Shopping: WH Smith, Fonebitz
Fuel: BP (pump types unknown)
Motel: none
Photos:
Click on a photo to view the full size. If you have one to add, contact me. It's never too late to get your name in the limelight.
 | The front of the services. Photo taken whilst travelling southbound in 2007 by Humphrey Bolton. It's used under this Creative Commons |
 | The services from the side, showing just how modern they look. Photo taken whilst travelling northbound in 2007 by Steve Fareham. It's used under this Creative Commons |
 | This bridge would have been used by the old services, but it's now closed to the public and hasn't been removed as doing so would disrupt the motorway. Photo taken whilst travelling northbound in 2007 by Steve Fareham. It's used under this Creative Commons |
Trivia:
Northampton was opened many years ago under the name Rothersthorpe, one of three sites to be built by Blue Boar. It's the first and only site to break the gap between Watford Gap and Newport Pagnell, the two original services.
When RoadChef took over they demolished each building in turn and replaced it with a more modern design. Originally the services were an online design, in other words they were located between junctions. However, there was a lot of rat-running as traffic used the services so that they could access the A43, and this was such a problem that a new junction was actually constructed around the services to make such movements legal. The A43 has since been upgraded and it is now a high quality dual carriageway (HQDC), forming a north-south link between the M1 and M40 motorways, so it's a good job that the junction was built.
The northbound services also have a works unit on the exit.
Survey results:
In 2006, Holiday Which? rated the services at 3/5.
Parking Prices:
Vehicle: | For up to 2 hours: | For 2 hours to 24 hours: |
| Cars: | FREE | unknown |
| HGVs & Carvans: | FREE | unknown |
| Coaches: | FREE | unknown |
The above prices are intended to be a guide only. Tickets must be renewed after 24 hours, and can be obtained from the 'Pay & Display' meters located in each car park. | ||
Alternatives:
- Watford Gap RoadChef services on the M1, 10 miles to the north.
- Newport Pagnell Welcome Break services on the M1, 13 miles to the south.
- Cherwell Valley Moto/Costa & M&S services on the A43, 22 miles to the west.
Northampton - It's the best Service of UK.
Main Page | Location, Map & Directions
With thanks to David Miller for the postcode.