Planning a long journey can require more preparation when you or someone travelling with you needs accessible facilities. Knowing where you can stop for a toilet break, food, fuel or some time away from the road can make travelling by car considerably easier.
To help disabled motorists, passengers, carers and families plan their journeys with greater confidence, Complete Care Shop has researched and ranked some of the UK’s major motorway and major-road service stations based on publicly available accessibility information.
Our research considers factors including Changing Places toilet provision, accessible parking, step-free routes, accessible toilets, food and retail facilities, and the quality of information available before travelling.
The 10 most accessible UK motorway service stations
| Rank | Service station | Route/location | Score |
| 1 | Cobham | M25, between junctions 9 and 10 | 92/100 |
| 2 | Cherwell Valley | M40 junction 10/A43 | 89/100 |
| 3 | Exeter | M5 junction 30 | 88/100 |
| 4 | Rugby | M6 junction 1 | 87/100 |
| 5 | Leigh Delamere | M4 junction 17 | 86/100 |
| 6 | Donington | M1 junctions 23A/24, A42, A50 & A453 | 85/100 |
| 7 | Ferrybridge | M62 junction 33/A1(M) | 84/100 |
| 8 | Blyth | A1(M)/A1 junction 34 | 83/100 |
| 9 | Heston | M4, between junctions 2 and 3 | 82/100 |
| 10 | Reading | M4, between junctions 11 and 12 | 81/100 |
1. Cobham - M25
Accessibility score: 92/100
Cobham service station on the M25 takes the top spot in our ranking, scoring 92 out of 100. Located between junctions 9 and 10 of the M25 in Surrey, Cobham is a convenient stop for journeys around London and the South East. The surrounding area is packed with green spaces and attractions, including RHS Garden Wisley, just a short drive away.
The service area has a range of features supporting accessible travel, including a registered Changing Places toilet, detailed AccessAble guidance, virtual pre-journey access information and step-free routes.
Its accessible facilities also extend across key parts of the service area, including fuel, retail and dining.
2. Cherwell Valley - M40
Accessibility score: 89/100
Cherwell Valley is the second-highest-scoring service station in our research. Found near Bicester in Oxfordshire, Cherwell Valley sits at junction 10 of the M40, making it a useful rest point for journeys between London, Oxfordshire and the Midlands. The service area also has a riverside walk and an on-site Travelodge, making it a great option for longer journeys.
In terms of accessibility, you’ll find Changing Places provision alongside established facilities supporting travellers using one of the UK's key motorway routes.
3. Exeter - M5
Accessibility score: 88/100
Exeter service station, located at junction 30 of the M5, ranks third with a score of 88 out of 100. Located at the southern end of the M5, it's a useful stop for anyone travelling towards the Devon coast and surrounding countryside.
Its accessibility features include a registered Changing Places toilet and facilities designed to support people travelling through the South West.
4. Rugby - M6
Accessibility score: 87/100
Rugby service station ranks fourth, scoring 87 out of 100. Situated at junction 1 of the M6 in Warwickshire, Rugby services are close to the town that gave its name to the sport of rugby. Its central location makes it a convenient stop for journeys through the Midlands and beyond.
Its modern service area layout, Changing Places provision and location on the busy M6 corridor make it an important stop for accessible long-distance travel.
5. Leigh Delamere - M4
Accessibility score: 86/100
Leigh Delamere, situated at junction 17 of the M4, takes fifth place. Since opening in 1972, the large service area has evolved considerably. Today, it’s one of Moto's bigger sites, with a broad range of food, retail and other facilities.
The service station has Changing Places provision and supports travellers using the M4 in both directions, making it a useful stop for longer journeys through southern England and South Wales.
6. Donington - M1 / A42 / A50 / A453
Accessibility score: 85/100
Donington service area ranks sixth with a score of 85 out of 100. Donington is particularly well connected, located within a major road interchange linking the M1 with the A42, A50 and A453. It's also close to East Midlands Airport and Donington Park, making the area a significant transport hub in the East Midlands.
Its location at the intersection of several major routes makes it a handy stop for long-distance journeys, while its Changing Places provision contributes to its strong accessibility score.
7. Ferrybridge - M62 / A1(M)
Accessibility score: 84/100
Ferrybridge service station, at junction 33 of the M62, ranks seventh. Ferrybridge has been serving motorists since 1985 and sits at a major road interchange, with access from the M62, A1(M) and A162. The site also includes a Travelodge and EV charging facilities, alongside its food, retail and fuel services.
The service area has a Changing Places toilet and provides an accessible stopping point for journeys across Yorkshire and the wider northern road network.
8. Blyth - A1(M) / A1
Accessibility score: 83/100
Blyth service station, located at junction 34 of the A1(M), scores 83 out of 100. Blyth services sits on one of the UK's major north-south routes. It's close to Worksop and within reach of destinations including Clumber Park, Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Doncaster.
Its Changing Places provision and location on the major A1 north-south route contribute to its position in the top 10.
9. Heston - M4
Accessibility score: 82/100
Heston service station on the M4 ranks ninth. Heston sits between junctions 2 and 3 of the M4 in the London Borough of Hounslow, making it one of the most urban service stations in the ranking. The site is also close to Heathrow, making it a useful stop for journeys around West London and the airport.
The service area has a Changing Places toilet and accessible facilities for people travelling in and around London.
10. Reading - M4
Accessibility score: 81/100
Reading service station, situated between junctions 11 and 12 of the M4, completes our top 10. Its location just outside Reading makes it a useful stopping point for journeys through the Thames Valley and beyond.
The service area has Changing Places provision alongside facilities supporting travellers using the M4 corridor in both directions.
What makes a motorway service station accessible?
Accessibility involves much more than simply having a standard accessible toilet.
For someone with complex mobility needs, a suitable motorway stop can depend on everything from being able to park close to the entrance to having enough space and specialist equipment in a toilet.
Our research considered six key areas when scoring service stations:
Changing Places toilets
Changing Places toilets are designed for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. They typically provide significantly more space and include equipment such as an adult-sized changing bench and ceiling track hoist.
For travellers who require these facilities, knowing that a suitable toilet is available along a route can be an important part of journey planning.
AccessAble information
Detailed accessibility information can make it easier to understand what to expect before arriving.
AccessAble guides can provide information about routes, entrances, facilities and potential accessibility barriers, allowing travellers to make more informed decisions before setting off.
Accessible parking and step-free routes
Accessible parking is only part of the journey. Travellers also need to be able to move from the car park to the service station safely and without unnecessary barriers.
We therefore considered information about accessible parking and step-free routes as part of the research.
Accessible toilet provision
Alongside Changing Places facilities, the availability of standard accessible toilets is an important consideration for disabled travellers.
Food, retail and fuel facilities
An accessible stop needs to work beyond the toilet facilities. We considered the accessibility of key services including food, retail and fuel.
Pre-journey accessibility information
Being able to find reliable accessibility information before setting off can make journey planning considerably easier.
We therefore considered the availability and quality of virtual guides and other pre-journey information.
How we ranked the UK’s most accessible service stations
Each service station was scored out of 100 using publicly available UK accessibility information.
The criteria were weighted according to their importance for accessible travel:
|
Accessibility factor |
Weighting |
| Registered Changing Places toilet provision | 30% |
| Detailed AccessAble guide availability | 20% |
| Accessible parking and step-free routes | 15% |
| Accessible toilets beyond standard provision | 15% |
| Food, retail and fuel accessibility | 10% |
| Pre-journey information or virtual guides | 10% |
The final scores were used to create a ranking of the service stations with the strongest combination of accessible facilities and pre-journey information.
Why accessible motorway services matter
For many motorists, stopping at a motorway service station is simply a routine part of a long journey.
For disabled travellers, however, an unsuitable service station can create significant challenges.
A lack of suitable toilet facilities, inaccessible routes or limited information can mean having to carefully plan journeys around particular stops — or avoid certain routes altogether.
Accessible travel information can help remove some of this uncertainty. Knowing where suitable facilities are located gives people more information to work with before they leave home.
Everyone should be able to travel around the UK with confidence, and accessible motorway services can play an important role in making that possible.
Tips for planning an accessible road trip
Even when a service station has accessible facilities, it is worth checking the latest information before travelling.
Check facilities before setting off
Accessibility information can change, so check the service station's current facilities before your journey.
Plan your stops in advance
If you know you will need particular facilities, identify suitable stopping points along your route before setting off.
Check the location of accessible parking
Look at where accessible parking is located and how you will get from the parking area to the main facilities.
Look for Changing Places facilities
If you require a Changing Places toilet, check that the facility is available at your planned stop and, where possible, confirm opening arrangements before travelling.
Take suitable mobility equipment
The right mobility aids can make getting around during a long journey easier. Consider what you may need both inside the vehicle and once you arrive at your destination.
Important information about this research
This ranking is based on publicly available accessibility information rather than physical visits or independent on-site accessibility audits.
Facilities and services can change, so the ranking should be used as a guide when planning a journey rather than a guarantee of what will be available when you arrive.
We recommend checking directly with the relevant motorway service station operator before travelling, particularly if you require specific accessibility facilities.