Severn View services
M48 at J1
(also accessible to traffic on the A403 and the B4461 and not far from the M4)
Signposted from the road? Yes (as Costa/Burger King from M48)
BS35 4BH
map and directions
Single site located at a junction.
Extremely windy and extremely small, Severn View is what's left of the facilities for those who still use the Severn Bridge.
Despite its name, it is not actually immediately adjacent to the bridge, the river or the motorway junction, though it is connected to all three by public footpaths.
The main facilities now operate from 6am to 10pm daily, but the forecourt remains open 24 hours a day.
Facilities
Catering: Burger King, Costa Coffee, Costa Express, Krispy Kreme Shops: WHSmith Amenities: Travelodge, Changing Places, Games Arcade, Showers Outdoor Space: small dog walking area at front of building; public footpath connections to Severn Bridge and estuary bank where there is a large field Charging Points: GRIDSERVE Electric Highway HPC 350kW CCS, 100kW CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2 Forecourt: BP, Shop, Costa Express
Parking Prices
First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £25. HGVs can pay £28 to include a £10 food voucher.
Prices are paid in the shop or by using JustPark. The location code is 625151.
HGVs can also pay by using SNAP. The location code is 13491.
The fees are strictly enforced by GroupNexus.
This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.
Contact Details
🏢 Address:
Granada Services
M48 Service Area
Aust Motorway Services Area
Severn Bridge
Aust
Bristol
BS35 4BH
- Amenity building and forecourt operated by Moto
- Hotel operated by Travelodge
- Foursquare Page
- 📞 Telephone number: 01454 632851
- 📌 what3words: ///segments.carpentry.whirlwind
- more map options
Trivia and Design
See also: History:Severn View
The service area has changed a lot since it opened, when it was known as 'Aust'. Back then it could be found at M4 J21 and was positioned much closer to the landmark. The redundant old building is now expected to become a leisure centre for disabled children and young people. Its history has all the details.
Although the service area was renamed in 1993, during the 2021 fuel crisis, the national highway authority displayed the name "Aust services" on all their electronic signs. Their policy does say that it should be called "Severn View".
Despite its small size, GRIDSERVE chose Severn View as the location of one of their first electric vehicle charging hubs, with six high-powered chargers going live in June 2022, alongside the existing medium power ones. Space was left for additional chargers to be provided if the demand rises.
Small Building
The current amenity building is a very simple structure (an old transport café) that is arguably the smallest of any motorway service area in the UK, depending on a few technicalities. What Severn View does have is just one shower facility as part of a small washroom area, a tiny shop in the middle, and a small dining area. The walk to the toilets is only a few metres and takes you past all the facilities that the service area offers.
Its small size was one of the factors in Transport Focus calculating a 72% satisfaction score in Spring 2019, making it the worst site in England. Moto explained that they would be focusing improvements on it over the following year. By the next survey it recorded a middling 89%, which improved to 94% in 2023.
Moto have held planning permission to build an external Greggs store in front of the service area building since February 2020. This space was utilised to add a Changing Places facility in early 2023 instead, and Moto now intend to add a Greggs kiosk to the forecourt in late 2024.
Pedestrian Access to the Severn Bridge
While it may not offer many facilities any more, the service area is still probably the best place to park before walking across or viewing the Severn Bridge.
By walking on the road out of the car park, visitors will find a path which ends at a viewpoint and plaque (which is in a very poor state). It also provides stepped access to the southern side of the bridge (the turning is opposite the petrol station and easily missed). These are part of the Severn Way public footpath, which extends along the river in each direction.
Access to the northern side of the bridge is at the other end of the path, from the large roundabout, which is more accessible.
Sightseers should be wary of the two-hour free parking limit, which is unlikely to be long enough to walk all of the bridge. Parking options are detailed above. The Travelodge car park is an alternative option that is closer to the viewpoint and field (without crossing any roads), but it's further from the facilities and the same time restrictions apply.
The southern side of the bridge is designated National Cycle Network route 4, as well as routes EuroVelo 1 and EuroVelo 2. Signs on this path direct cyclists to the "service area". Although this referred to the old building, it does mean that Severn View can boast that it is the only motorway service area to officially serve an international cycle route and a long-distance walking trail.
Alternatives
| Previous: | Next: | |
| Leigh Delamere (M4 east, 23 miles) Michaelwood (M5 north, 13 miles) Gordano (M5 south, 13 miles) | Services on the M48 | Magor (M4 west, 11 miles) |
| Leigh Delamere (M4 east, 23 miles) | Moto services | Swansea West (M4 west, 69 miles) |
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