Travel Podcaster Critiques Bridgwater Services on M5 Motorway

Travel podcaster David Burnip recently shared his experience visiting Bridgwater Services on the M5 motorway in Somerset, UK, and his assessment was far from flattering. Known for its critical reviews, the service station left Burnip feeling as though he had entered a “zombie movie.”

Burnip embarked on a journey to explore various service stations across the UK for his YouTube channel, Wandering Turnip. During this trip, he encountered Bridgwater Services, which has garnered a reputation for being one of the worst service stations in the country. According to TripAdvisor, the site has an average rating of just 2.5 stars from a total of 348 reviews, with 126 of those reviewers giving it the lowest possible score of one star.

The services provide standard amenities such as a Burger King and a Costa Coffee, yet they have faced considerable criticism. Burnip noted that while he was “quite glad” to see one Costa outlet closed, this sentiment was short-lived as another one remained operational. “The Costa / Burger King double act. It’s too much. Is that what Britain’s taste has been reduced to? Fatty burgers and bad coffee,” he remarked.

Burnip’s visit coincided with an unusually quiet day at the services, which are typically crowded during the summer months. “This place is a bit of a ghost town,” he observed, highlighting the lack of patrons in the expansive car park. “I can’t imagine people spend too long here at all.” Despite its large car park, he remarked on the limited offerings inside, stating, “This place is tiny. There really isn’t much there.”

The atmosphere at Bridgwater Services further contributed to Burnip’s disappointment. He described the site as resembling a wasteland, “devoid of people, devoid of life.” His observations extended to the stark advertising space, noting that the services featured a completely blank billboard left unutilised.

In his conclusion, Burnip rated Bridgwater Services poorly, stating, “What am I rating this one out of 10? You’re probably going to be a two. This one’s got a two.” His candid review serves as a reminder of the challenges many motorway services face in meeting the expectations of weary travellers across the UK.

As the demand for quality amenities on long journeys continues to grow, Bridgwater Services stands as an example of how not to engage customers, prompting discussions about the future of such establishments in an increasingly competitive landscape.