Gateway services
A55 westbound between J33A and J33B
Signposted from the road.
CH7 6HB
map and directions
Two sites staggered between junctions, with no public connection between them.
This is the service area on the A55 in Wales. For the one on the M1 near London, see London Gateway. For the one on the A16 at Lincs Gateway, see Spalding. For the one on the A82 near Glasgow, see Dumbarton Gateway.
A welcome to Wales for westbound motorists, with a variety of facilities spread out over a hill.
Facilities
Catering: Costa Coffee, McDonald's Drive Thru, OK Diner Amenities: Holiday Inn Outdoor Space: Grass bank behind McDonald's Charging Points: InstaVolt 120kW CCS & 50kW CHAdeMO Forecourt: Shell, Select, Deli by Shell, Costa Express, Free Cash Machine
Parking Prices
Short stay customer parking is available for cars at all facilities and each parking area is subject to its own restrictions.
Short stay HGV parking is only available in a lay-by on the exit slip.
This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.
Contact Details
🏢 Address:
Westbound A55 Expressway
Northop Hall
Mold
Flintshire
CH7 6HB
Trivia and Design
Shell call this service area 'Northop', as opposed to Northop Hall on the other side of the road. However the road signs are clear that it is called 'Gateway services', and this is the name that has been used ever since it was developed.
There are a number of facilities spread out across the hill, but the Costa building claims to be the main public facility (the one meeting the contractual obligation to provide free toilets).
History
The service area was developed by Autolodge Hotels Ltd. It opened in the late 1980s with a forecourt, a hotel and space in the middle for more restaurants. A Little Chef was envisaged, so it could be a partner to Northop Hall, but this didn't happen.
The hotel was branded Northop Hall Autolodge, and it became a partner of Pavilion Lodge.
The westbound Subway and Costa building opened in 2008, with space in the middle for a Visit Wales tourist information centre that was never used. This building was built by Mold Developments Ltd, who took over from Autolodge. The Subway unit closed in 2018 and the unit is currently vacant.
Two InstaVolt chargers were installed in the westbound McDonald's car park in summer 2022.
Alternatives
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| Northop Hall (eastbound only, ½ mile) Kinmel Park (21 miles) | Services on the A55 | Saughall (A494, 7 miles) |