How Things Work
'How Things Work' is our creative, catch-all title for our collection of articles which don't form part of the main database. They attempt to provide some background information about different aspects of motorway services, and a little bit about how they work.
Visitors to this section should also look at History, which pays particular attention to closed, unbuilt and the oldest services.
The Basics
Our first section examines the topics which we get asked about a lot. It's by far the best place to start!
- Biggest and Busiest
- Smallest and Quietest
- Opening Hours
- How Many Services Are There?
- How Services Are Located
- How Services Are Named
- Timeline: Oldest and Newest
Facilities
- Drive Thrus
- Electric Vehicle Charging Points
- Catering
- Hotels and Lodges
- Parking
- Shops
- Showers
- Toilets
- Traffic Information
Information and Guidance
An explanation of how services are regulated and how the policy on them has changed over the years.
A look at how service station design has evolved, and what the key factors in new service station design are.
A look at the different discount and information apps offered to help and persuade motorway users.
A look at the other side of the coin as to why services are so expensive, and a few tips to get the better of them.
Information written specifically for coaches and HGV drivers, listing some of the offers available to them.
A non-technical guide to the different road signs used and who is responsible for them.
A collection of pages which explain the meaning of various technical and unofficial terms relating to motorway services.
Lists and Analysis
Across the site we ask you to rate different service stations, and here you can see how they all stack up alongside each other.
A list of the working titles given to the original service stations. Spot the gaps in the pattern!
Many modern A-road services have adopted a building which pre-dates the road network as we would recognise it. This page lists them.
Motorway services originally sold promotional postcards - find the best of them here.
A list of all the services with a 'secret exit', as well as information on what these things are and who can use them.
A list of services which have played a significant role in a TV show (previously this information was spread out over all the trivia sections).
A list of services which have been reported to have caught fire.