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Rownhams

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RoadChef services, M27 between J3 and J4

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Road: M27 (not far from the M3 and the M271)
Junction: Between J3 and J4
Operator: RoadChef
Location: Hampshire SO16 8AP
Telephone: 02380 734480
Signed from the motorway? Yes
Previous operators: none
Previous names: none
Services type: Two sites located between junctions, connected by pedestrian subway.

Official website: Visit RoadChef's official website

The only 'proper' services on the entire south coast route, Rownhams feels fairly rural but it's located on a very busy stretch of motorway. Not only does it cater for west-east traffic, but it also carries north-south traffic heading between Southampton on the M271 at J3 and London and The Midlands on the M3 at J4. Despite this, the services are usually fairly quiet and not all that pretty. They form an unofficial gateway to the New Forest.

Choose a section: Main Page | Location, Map & Directions

Facilities:

Key: westbound only | eastbound only

General: Cash Machine, Pay Phones, Children's Play Area, Picnic Tables, BT Openzone
Food/Drink: Costa Coffee, RestBite, Wimpy
Shopping: reStore, Surf Shack
Fuel: Esso (pumps include LPG)
Motel: Premier Inn

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.

	At the back of the services lies this entrance which serves no-one but the occasional visitor from the other carriageway. The front of the services on both sides are draped in trees to minimise their local impact (and probably their ugliness), so for that reason we'll stick with this photo of the back. Photo taken whilst travelling westbound in 2008.
	Looking in to the services, with the main entrance at the end. Photo taken whilst travelling westbound in 2008.
	Peering in to the seating area, which looks a lot nicer than the rest of the services. Photo taken whilst travelling westbound in 2008.
	The Premier Inn motel, which appears to be taking a lot of custom. Photo taken whilst travelling westbound in 2008.
	Turning around from the first photo, you are greeted by this tunnel under the motorway - the tip of the eastbound services can be seen in the distance. It's another feature to minimise the visual impact of the services on the surrounding area. Photo taken whilst travelling westbound in 2008.
	Looking in to the subway. At night one of the services is usually closed with customers being directed through here to the other side. Would you do it? Photo taken whilst travelling westbound in 2008.

Trivia:

The services are sunk in to a two metre cutting to minimise their impact on the local area, considering it is close to the New Forest. Due to this, the services are one of few which feature a purpose-built subway under the motorway connecting the two sides. Very few services share this design, the closest to it is probably the unbuilt Hatfield services.

Rownhams appeared on the BBC's Traffic Cops in 2007 following a caravan theft, as well as in Men & Motors' Police Patrol UK, where a life-threateningly dangerous lorry was pulled over.

If there are significant delays at Southampton's docks most lorries are told to wait at the services. Allegedly, the services' slogan used to be 'not another MSA'. You can take that whichever way you like...

Survey results:

I am not aware of any surveys which these services have featured in. If you know better, let me know!

Parking Prices:

Vehicle:	For up to 2 hours:	For 2 hours to 24 hours:
Cars:	FREE	£16*
HGVs & Carvans:	FREE	unknown
Coaches:	FREE	unknown
* For an extra £2, the price will include a £10 meal voucher. 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:

West Wellow local services on the M27, 4 miles to the west.
Stoney Cross services on the A31 westbound, 9 miles to the west.
Picket Post services on the A31, 15 miles to the west.
Winchester Moto services on the M3, 15 miles to the east.
Farlington services on the A27, 22 miles to the east.
Sutton Scotney services on the A34, 18 miles to the east.

Comments and Reviews:

Showing the most recent responses only: for the full thread and the ability to edit your own posts, you need to view the topic in the forums.

Author:

Message:

Anonymous

What do expect?
DRINK YOUR COFFEE AND HAVE BETTER THINGS TO MOAN ABOUT.

Posted: 02 Sep 2008, 07:29

Graham

My wife and I decided to call at Rownhams Services M27 today. A coffee etc was rquired so we decided to use the Costa Coffe stall. The young lady who served us must have been the worst I have ever met for being off hand and plainly disinterested in her job. Her name was Marcella and we named her 'miserable marcells'. Nor were we the only ones to comment and the general comment seemed to be that smiles and pleasantries were out of order this morning. I will not call back at this pit stop to meet this kind of rudeness again. After 35 years in sales I am well aware that some morning we feel off, however this must NEVER come across when serving customers or during selling, which is effectively what she is doing....or not as the case may be.
There you are, another comment from a grumpy old man? i think not, rather dissatisfaction from a customer....we are your source of income/profit so get some training under way!!
Graham

Posted: 10 Apr 2006, 18:18

Admin

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Posted: 08 Jan 2006, 11:19

Showing the most recent responses only: for the full thread and the ability to edit your own posts, you need to view the topic in the forums.

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Latest Update: 3rd January 2009

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Rownhams