4 Top Truck Stops in Britain
When you’re on the road for days or weeks at a time, a good, well-equipped truckstop can make all the difference. If you’re taking advantage of the wide variety of jobs and loads available via freight exchange platforms, you might end up in unfamiliar places, and you’ll be thankful for a bit of hospitality.
Here we’ve listed four of our the most popular stops in Britain. All of these stops offer a hot shower, a filling meal, and 24-hour conveniences.
Ashford International Truckstop
If you’re coming through the Port of Dover, the Ashford International Truckstop (AIT) is an ideal place for a break. The AIT bills itself as your "home away from home", with a shop, bar, restaurant, and fitness centre. Vehicles are protected by a seven-foot fence, CCTV surveillance, security patrols, and motion-sensitive spotlight - features that are especially reassuring if you’re carrying high-value cargo. A £6 meal voucher is included for every 24-hour parking period, and the restaurant’s weekend carvery station ensures you won’t miss your Sunday roast! If you check out the international jobs and loads available on your online freight exchange, you might find yourself at the Ashford International Truckstop sooner than you think.
Location: The AIT is located off the M20 on Waterbrook Ave, Ashford TN24 0GB. You can reserve a space for your vehicle on their website or by calling 1233 502 919.
Chippenham Pit Stop
This truckstop in Wiltshire has recently undergone a £140,000 upgrade, which improved the restaurant and added a new convenience store offering locally sourced produce, bread, and meat. Family-owned and operated since 1988, Chippenham offers overnight parking for 85 HGVs, free one-hour parking, a gym and evening fitness classes, and a walk-in barber shop. Chippenham Pit Stop even has its own Privilege Card, which you can use to earn points on anything you purchase at the Pit Stop.
Location: M4 Junction 17, Oakleigh Acres, Draycot Cerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5LH
Route 74 Truckstop
Voted truckstop of the year by Truckstop News, Route 74 opened recently in the summer of 2014 just 26 miles south of Glasgow. The modern and comfortable facilities include a 100-seat American-style diner, widescreen televisions, free WiFi, truck wash, 24/7 security, and free two-hour parking. Hauliers and the general public alike love this truckstop for its warm and friendly staff, who make their visitors feel at home after a long day on the road. At this welcoming way station, you’re sure to meet people from all walks of life – from hauliers on international freight exchange jobs to families on a road trip.
Location: M74 Junction 10, Teiglum Road Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, ML11 0JN
Red Lion Truck Stop
This pub-like truckstop was built as a sorting office, where horse-drawn carts would stop for a break before continuing on to deliver mail. Today, the Red Lion is still a wonderful place to stop, eat, drink, and rest. The homey cafe (with red walls, naturally!) serves traditional pub food and drink. Vehicles at the truck stop are protected by 24-hour security patrols, infrared CCTV cameras, and high banks to stop intruders from entering the site. Rustic but well-equipped, the Red Lion is the perfect place for a meal and a chat with fellow drivers.
Location: Weedon Rd, Upper Heyford, Northampton NN7 4DE
Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for haulage work in the express freight exchange industry. Over 4,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.