Motorway Services Online

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{{Services
{{Services
|type = primary
|type = primary
|image = Handcross 2021.jpg
|image = BP Handcross 2024.jpg
|road = [[A23]] {{Dir|S}} between Crawley and Brighton
|road = [[A23]] {{dir|S}} between Crawley and Brighton
|postcode = RH17 6BL
|postcode = RH17 6BL
|operator = MFG
|operator = MFG
|maplink = https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/bp/@51.0559793,-0.2015159,18.75z/
|signposted = Yes  
|signposted = Yes  
|stype = Single site located between junctions on one side of the road.
|stype = Single site located between junctions on one side of the road
|coords = 51.056057, -0.20106375
|coords = 51.055931, -0.20101614
|briefroad = A23 southbound between Crawley and Brighton
|briefroad = A23 southbound between Crawley and Brighton
|hgvs = fuel only
|markerpost = 0060 }}
|markerpost = 60 }}


A petrol station at the top of the A23.
The famous road to Brighton kicks off with a small service area hidden in the trees at the back of Handcross Recreation Ground.


==Facilities==
==Facilities==
{{facilities | Charging Points | GeniePoint 50kW CCS & CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2 |primary }}
{{facilities| Outdoor Space | Grass lawn next to forecourt |primary }}
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{BP|S|s}}, {{Londis}}, {{Costa Express|S|s}}, [[Rollover]], AdBlue4You, Jet Wash, Free Cash Machine |primary }}
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{BP|S|s}}, {{Londis|S|s}}, {{Costa Express|S|s}}, {{Rollover|S|s}}, Jet Wash, Free Cash Machine |primary }}


==Parking Prices==
==Parking Prices==
Short stay customer parking is available for all vehicles. No overnight parking is available.
Short stay customer parking is available for all vehicles. No overnight parking is available.


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


==Contact Details==
==Contact Details==
Line 31: Line 29:
West Sussex{{newline}}
West Sussex{{newline}}
RH17 6BL
RH17 6BL
|gridref = TQ261300
|telephone = 01293 214578
|foursquare = 55db5544498e414cb92df98c
|foursquare = 55db5544498e414cb92df98c
|website = https://www.motorfuelgroup.com/locations/handcross-fs018/ Official MFG Website
|website = https://www.motorfuelgroup.com/locations/handcross-fs018/ Official MFG/Handcross website
|3words = stems.packing.robe
|3words = foreheads.mailing.reliving
}}
}}


==Trivia and History==
==Trivia and History==
[[File:Cherries Cafe Handcross.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Inside the former AJ's.|alt=Restaurant.]]
[[File:Cherries Cafe Handcross.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Inside the restaurant building, serving as Cherries Cafe in 2011.|alt=Restaurant interior with wooden dividers.]]
Plans for a service area here were first put forward by [[Mobil]] in 1986. These plans included a filling station and motorists restaurant. The site opened in 1987 next to the original A23 London Road as Handcross services with a [[Mobil]] filling station and was later joined by an [[AJ's]] restaurant in 1990. In 1993, that road was shifted west, which meant the old service area was still accessible - albeit with a long sliproad.
The original A23 bypass of Handcross ran much closer to the village. [[Mobil]] proposed a filling station and restaurant next to this road, with the filling station opening in late 1987, despite fierce opposition from locals.  


The AJ's went onto become the '''Handcross South''' branch of [[Little Chef]] in 1997 before closing in 2005. The restaurant later became Cherries Cafe and then Crama Romaneasca, which had stopped trading in 2020 and currently lies abandoned.  
The restaurant opened on 30 July 1990, branded [[AJ's]] and built on the edge of Handcross Recreational Ground. The local authority had agreed a planning condition that the developer would renovate the sports pavilion: a £160,000 investment (now around £{{inflation|373937.63}}) which was competed a few days before the opening.
 
The A23 was realigned in 1993, effectively shifting the road to the west. This meant the existing service area was still accessible, albeit with a much longer entry slip road.
 
The AJ's went on to become the '''Handcross South''' branch of [[Little Chef]] in 1997 before closing in 2005. The restaurant later became Cherries Cafe and then Crama Romaneasca, which stopped trading in 2020 and currently lies abandoned.  


The filling station was rebranded to [[BP]] in 1997, and in the mid-2010s gained a [[Costcutter]] store following its acquisition by [[MFG]]. This was later rebranded to [[Londis]] in 2018.  
The filling station was rebranded to [[BP]] in 1997, and in the mid-2010s gained a [[Costcutter]] store following its acquisition by [[MFG]]. This was later rebranded to [[Londis]] in 2018.  


MFG currently hold planning permission to build a [[Starbucks Drive Thru]] on the existing HGV parking area to the rear of the sales building. As part of the works, the HGV parking area and electric vehicle charging point would be relocated as well as removal of the existing jet wash.  
MFG hold planning permission to build a [[Starbucks Drive Thru]] on the existing HGV parking area to the rear of the sales building. As part of the works, the HGV parking area would be relocated, the existing jet wash removed, and a charging hub could be created with eight electric vehicle charging points.
 
The GeniePoint charger was switched off in 2023 due to power supply issues.


==Alternatives==
==Alternatives==
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</table>
</table>


[[Category:A-roads (no motorway)]][[Category:A23]][[Category:M23]]
{{bottomnav|noreview=true}}
[[Category:A-roads (no motorway)]][[Category:Little Chef]][[Category:A23]][[Category:M23]]

Latest revision as of 12:59, 25 February 2025

Handcross
Handcross services
Camera icon
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14 more photos in the gallery
Location:

A23 southbound between Crawley and Brighton

Signposted from the road.

Postcode:

RH17 6BL

map and directions

Access/Layout:

Single site located between junctions on one side of the road.


The famous road to Brighton kicks off with a small service area hidden in the trees at the back of Handcross Recreation Ground.

Facilities

Outdoor Space: Grass lawn next to forecourt Forecourt: BP, Londis, Costa Express, Rollover, Jet Wash, Free Cash Machine

Parking Prices

Short stay customer parking is available for all vehicles. No overnight parking is available.

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

Contact Details

🏢 Address:
Handcross Services
Handcross
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH17 6BL


Trivia and History

Restaurant interior with wooden dividers.
Inside the restaurant building, serving as Cherries Cafe in 2011.

The original A23 bypass of Handcross ran much closer to the village. Mobil proposed a filling station and restaurant next to this road, with the filling station opening in late 1987, despite fierce opposition from locals.

The restaurant opened on 30 July 1990, branded AJ's and built on the edge of Handcross Recreational Ground. The local authority had agreed a planning condition that the developer would renovate the sports pavilion: a £160,000 investment (now around £382,998 in 2025) which was competed a few days before the opening.

The A23 was realigned in 1993, effectively shifting the road to the west. This meant the existing service area was still accessible, albeit with a much longer entry slip road.

The AJ's went on to become the Handcross South branch of Little Chef in 1997 before closing in 2005. The restaurant later became Cherries Cafe and then Crama Romaneasca, which stopped trading in 2020 and currently lies abandoned.

The filling station was rebranded to BP in 1997, and in the mid-2010s gained a Costcutter store following its acquisition by MFG. This was later rebranded to Londis in 2018.

MFG hold planning permission to build a Starbucks Drive Thru on the existing HGV parking area to the rear of the sales building. As part of the works, the HGV parking area would be relocated, the existing jet wash removed, and a charging hub could be created with eight electric vehicle charging points.

The GeniePoint charger was switched off in 2023 due to power supply issues.

Alternatives

Previous:Next:
Pease Pottage (3 miles)Services on the A23Jeremy's Corner (northbound, 3 miles)
Hickstead (6 miles)

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