Motorway Services Online

Revision as of 22:22, 18 October 2021

Location:

M5 at J30
(also accessible to traffic on the A376 and the A379)

Signposted from the road.

Postcode:

Access/Layout:

Single site located at a junction..

The last services on the M5 (located just before the road splits into two routes across Devon), Exeter sits in an industrial estate off one of the M5's large roundabouts.

Exeter has become an important part of the 'staycation' experience - mainly on the basis that whenever the holiday season comes around, this place turns manically busy. The M5 is always full of caravans in the summer, but Exeter is where you'll find them celebrating that they're nearly there.

Facilities

Catering: Bar & Grill, Burger King, Chow, Costa Coffee, Greggs, West Cornwall Pasty Co., Costa Drive Thru, Costa Express, Krispy Kreme, M&S Coffee to Go Shops: M&S Simply Food, WHSmith Amenities: &Play, Changing Places, Lucky Coin, Showers, Randox Health Covid-19 Test Dropbox : Travelodge Template:Charging points Forecourt: BP, Shop, Costa Coffee, Costa Express, West Cornwall Pasty Co., Air1 AdBlue, LPG (FloGas) Car Wash

Parking Prices

First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £26.50. HGVs can pay £28.50 to include a £10 food voucher.

Prices are paid using PayByPhone. The location code is 2436.

The fees are strictly enforced by CP Plus.

This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.

Contact Details

🏢 Address:
Moto Hospitality Ltd
Exeter Motorway Services Area
Sidmouth Road
Exeter
EX2 7HF

🌍 Official Moto Website
Foursquare Page
📞 Telephone number: 01392 436266
📌 what3words: ///market.begins.pizza
more map options

Trivia and Design

See also: History:Exeter

Firstly, Exeter is the most southern motorway service station in the UK, and it's also England's most western. The route into the car park from the M5 southbound involves passing through eight sets of traffic lights. That's more traffic lights than you'll find at any other motorway service area, and enough to leave a lasting impression on your holiday.

It has the unusual challenge that its custom levels increase rapidly during the holiday season, where its car park and facilities quickly move from being slightly quiet to very overloaded. Despite it getting so busy, there is still a large grass area which is used for picnics and dog walking, though it's probably too steep to be built over.

The advertisements around the site have a particular 'holiday' vibe to them, as they mainly promote tourist attractions.

Western Power Distribution are going to be using Exeter to trial six new electric vehicle charging points. Tesla Superchargers are also due to be installed here in late 2021.

The Greater Exeter Strategic Plan, which is currently in the draft stages, is expected to propose closing Exeter services, arguing that the area is too congested and that the land is needed for housing. Land next to the M5 close to Poltimore House would be recommended as the site for a new, more modern, motorway service area instead. This would only be a proposal and would be a long way from actually happening.

Recent Changes

During 2017, Moto began to redevelop the interior here. The EDC was removed and replaced by Chow and Arlo's, with Costa getting a refurbishment and a West Cornwall Pasty Company external kiosk being installed. The toilets area was also refurbished, along with the addition of a Changing Places.

The entrance was moved to a new extension in 2018, built on top of the old Costa outdoor seating area. This also allowed the West Cornwall Pasty Company store to be brought inside and it now has its own internal unit.

Arlo's closed in late 2019 in favour of higher turnover, fast food options.

A Costa Drive Thru opened at the back of the car park on Thursday 27 May 2021. A Krispy Kreme airstream pod was also parked at the front of the building for the summer.

A KFC is due to open here before the end of 2021, with a Pret A Manger following in early 2022.

Alternatives

Previous:		Next:
Cullompton (northbound, 12 miles) Taunton Deane (26 miles)	Services on the M5	none on M5 Kennford (A38 northbound, 8 miles) Whiddon Down (A30, 20 miles)
Tiverton (16 miles) Bridgwater (38 miles)	Moto services	none

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 [[File:Country Kitchen Exeter.jpg|250px|thumb|right|alt=Exeter services restaurant.|The restaurant servery in the late 1980s.]]
 {{fulldetails|History:Exeter}}
-Firstly, Exeter is the most southern motorway service station in the UK. The route into the car park from the M5 southbound involves passing through eight sets of traffic lights. That's more traffic lights than you'll find at any other motorway service area, and enough to leave a lasting impression on your holiday.
+Firstly, Exeter is the most southern motorway service station in the UK, and it's also England's most western. The route into the car park from the M5 southbound involves passing through eight sets of traffic lights. That's more traffic lights than you'll find at any other motorway service area, and enough to leave a lasting impression on your holiday.
 It has the unusual challenge that its custom levels increase rapidly during the holiday season, where its car park and facilities quickly move from being slightly quiet to very overloaded. Despite it getting so busy, there is still a large grass area which is used for picnics and dog walking, though it's probably too steep to be built over.