Toddington: Difference between revisions
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{{Services | {{Services | ||
|type = motorway | |type = motorway | ||
|image = Toddington South | |image = Toddington South 2025.jpg | ||
|operator = Moto | |operator = Moto | ||
|road = [[M1]] between J11A and J12 | |road = [[M1]] between J11A and J12 | ||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
|stype = Two sites located between junctions, connected by a pedestrian footbridge | |stype = Two sites located between junctions, connected by a pedestrian footbridge | ||
|rating = Toddington | |rating = Toddington | ||
|coords = 51. | |coords = 51.947477, -0.50235562 | ||
|markerpost = 0061 | |markerpost = 0061 | ||
|smartmotorway = yes | |smartmotorway = yes | ||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
==Facilities== | ==Facilities== | ||
{{facilities | | {{facilities | Catering | {{Burger King}}, {{Costa}}, {{Greggs}}, {{KFC}}, {{Costa Express}}, f'real Milkshakes, {{Krispy Kreme}}, {{M&S Coffee to Go}}, Tango Ice Blast, Urban Legend Doughnuts, {{Costa Drive Thru}} | ||
|N = {{West Cornwall Pasty Co|N|s}} | |N = {{Pret A Manger|N|s}}, {{West Cornwall Pasty Co|N|s}} }} | ||
{{facilities| Shops | {{M&S Simply Food}}, {{WHSmith}} | {{facilities| Shops | {{M&S Simply Food}}, {{WHSmith}} | ||
|N = {{Top Gift|N|s}} }} | |N = {{Top Gift|N|s}} }} | ||
{{facilities| Amenities | {{Travelodge}}, {{ | {{facilities| Amenities | {{Travelodge}}, {{&Play}}, {{Changing Places}}, {{Revolution Laundry}}, Showers | ||
|N = Truck Wash | |N = Truck Wash | ||
|S = Multi Faith Room }} | |S = Multi Faith Room }} | ||
{{facilities| Outdoor Space | Very little greenery - southbound side has some by the hotel }} | {{facilities| Outdoor Space | Very little greenery - southbound side has some by the hotel }} | ||
{{facilities| Charging Points | GRIDSERVE Electric Highway | {{facilities| Charging Points | GRIDSERVE Electric Highway HPC 360kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2 }} | ||
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{BP}}, Shop, {{Greggs}}, {{Costa Express}}, f'real Milkshakes | {{facilities| Forecourt | {{BP}}, Shop, {{Greggs}}, {{Costa Express}}, f'real Milkshakes | ||
|S = Tango Ice Blast }} | |||
==Parking Prices== | ==Parking Prices== | ||
First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £31. HGVs can pay £34 to include a £10 food voucher. | First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £31. HGVs can pay £34 to include a £10 food voucher. | ||
Prices are paid using [https:// | Prices are paid in the shop or by using [https://www.justpark.com/parking/products/how-it-works JustPark]. The location code is 625160 (northbound) and 625161 (southbound). | ||
The fees are strictly enforced by [[ | HGVs can also pay by using [https://snapacc.com/ SNAP]. The location code is 13455 (northbound) and 13477 (southbound). | ||
The fees are strictly enforced by [[GroupNexus]]. | |||
{{Parking Disclaimer}} | {{Parking Disclaimer}} | ||
| Line 47: | Line 49: | ||
|telephone = 01525 878400 | |telephone = 01525 878400 | ||
|websites = | |websites = | ||
* [https:// | * [https://moto-way.com/services/toddington-northbound/ Official Moto/Toddington Northbound website] | ||
* [https:// | * [https://moto-way.com/services/toddington-southbound/ Official Moto/Toddington Southbound website] | ||
* [https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/70/Toddington-M1-Southbound-hotel Hotel operated by Travelodge] | * [https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/70/Toddington-M1-Southbound-hotel Hotel operated by Travelodge] | ||
|foursquare = 4b3a81cbf964a520ef6825e3 | |foursquare = 4b3a81cbf964a520ef6825e3 | ||
| Line 56: | Line 58: | ||
[[File:Toddington southbound entrance 1971.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The main entrance in 1971.|alt=Old motorway services building entrance.]] | [[File:Toddington southbound entrance 1971.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The main entrance in 1971.|alt=Old motorway services building entrance.]] | ||
{{fulldetails|History:Toddington}} | {{fulldetails|History:Toddington}} | ||
In Spring 2018, [[Transport Focus]] calculated a 72% satisfaction score for the southbound | In Spring 2018, [[Transport Focus]] calculated a 72% satisfaction score for the southbound service area, and 82% for the northbound service area, making it second-worst and sixth-worst respectively. Both sides remained in the bottom five in 2023. | ||
The head office for [[Granada]] services and later [[Moto]], this combined with it being a very busy service station has meant it has often been used as a test bed by the firms for new ideas. Previously Granada had used [[Heston]] and their London office in Golden Square. | The head office for [[Granada]] services and later [[Moto]], this combined with it being a very busy service station has meant it has often been used as a test bed by the firms for new ideas. Previously Granada had used [[Heston]] and their London office in Golden Square. | ||
Despite being one of the oldest | Despite being one of the oldest service areas Moto owns, it's also one of their busiest and most profitable, helped by the fact that there aren't many service areas to the south-west. Plans for a new service area at [[Redbourn]] were objected to by Granada and refused. | ||
Like all | The service area has an unusual place in TV history. It had a lengthy segment in the first ever episode of ''Top Gear'', broadcast in 1977, in which Angela Rippon met customers and received mixed views in the restaurant. It then appeared again in the relaunched ''Top Gear'', where it was the starting point for the first ever 'cheap car challenge' in 2004. | ||
Like all service areas in England, a new 50-year lease was signed in 1982. This was valued at £2.3million, making it the most valuable. That's the equivalent of around £{{inflation|7.79065688|extension=million}}. | |||
===Recent Changes=== | ===Recent Changes=== | ||
The [[Little Chef]] here was the last to leave the motorway network, lasting until 2010. It may well have lasted a little longer as Moto wanted to set up a [[Costa]] stand at the entrance to the | The [[Little Chef]] here was the last to leave the motorway network, lasting until 2010. It may well have lasted a little longer as Moto wanted to set up a [[Costa]] stand at the entrance to the service area, but those plans were refused as inappropriate development, so Costa took over Little Chef instead. | ||
The Barber Shop on the southbound side, situated in a portable building in the car park, closed in July 2010. It reopened in December 2011 as a Faith Room. | The Barber Shop on the southbound side, situated in a portable building in the car park, closed in July 2010. It reopened in December 2011 as a Faith Room. | ||
| Line 71: | Line 75: | ||
[[Fone Bitz]] used to have stores on both sides here however the southbound store closed in 2018. A northbound [[Cotton Traders]] store also closed in late 2019. The northbound Fone Bitz store was later replaced with a [[Top Gift]] store in 2021. | [[Fone Bitz]] used to have stores on both sides here however the southbound store closed in 2018. A northbound [[Cotton Traders]] store also closed in late 2019. The northbound Fone Bitz store was later replaced with a [[Top Gift]] store in 2021. | ||
A [[KFC]] opened on the northbound side in January 2019. The southbound [[Chow]] unit later closed in early 2023 to make way for a southbound KFC restaurant too, with [[The Services King]] opening the new restaurant on 24 April 2023. | A [[KFC]] opened on the northbound side in January 2019. The southbound [[Chow]] unit later closed in early 2023 to make way for a southbound KFC restaurant too, with [[The Services King]] opening the new restaurant on 24 April 2023. [[Pret A Manger]] then replaced the former Arlo's restaurant space on the northbound side, opening on 20 November 2023. | ||
Additional electric vehicle chargers were added to both sides in late 2023, with the northbound side becoming a super hub in December. Further chargers were added to the southbound car park in early 2025 and are {{current|set to}} go live in April 2025. | |||
==Alternatives== | ==Alternatives== | ||
| Line 82: | Line 88: | ||
{{bottomnav}} | {{bottomnav}} | ||
[[Category:1960s]][[Category:M1]][[Category:Pilot Services]][[Category:M1 (England)]] | [[Category:1960s]][[Category:M1]][[Category:Pilot Services]][[Category:M1 (England)]][[Category:Original Five]][[Category:Services on TV]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:15, 26 March 2025
M1 between J11A and J12
Signposted from the road.
LU5 6HR
map and directions
Two sites located between junctions, connected by a pedestrian footbridge.
Enriched with facilities but not good looks, Toddington is a busy service area and the first in a while for traffic coming from the M25.
Facilities
Catering: on both sides: Burger King, Costa Coffee, Greggs, KFC, Costa Express, f'real Milkshakes, Krispy Kreme, M&S Coffee to Go, Tango Ice Blast, Urban Legend Doughnuts, Costa Drive Thru
plus northbound only: Pret A Manger, West Cornwall Pasty Co.
Shops: on both sides: M&S Simply Food, WHSmith
plus northbound only: Top Gift
Amenities: on both sides: Travelodge, &Play, Changing Places, Revolution Laundry, Showers
plus northbound only: Truck Wash
and southbound only: Multi Faith Room
Outdoor Space: Very little greenery - southbound side has some by the hotel
Charging Points: GRIDSERVE Electric Highway HPC 360kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2
Forecourt: on both sides: BP, Shop, Greggs, Costa Express, f'real Milkshakes
and southbound only: Tango Ice Blast
Parking Prices
First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £31. HGVs can pay £34 to include a £10 food voucher.
Prices are paid in the shop or by using JustPark. The location code is 625160 (northbound) and 625161 (southbound).
HGVs can also pay by using SNAP. The location code is 13455 (northbound) and 13477 (southbound).
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:
Moto Ltd
Toddington
Dunstable
Bedfordshire
LU5 6HR
- Official Moto/Toddington Northbound website
- Official Moto/Toddington Southbound website
- Hotel operated by Travelodge
- Foursquare Page
- 📞 Telephone number: 01525 878400
Trivia and History
See also: History:Toddington
In Spring 2018, Transport Focus calculated a 72% satisfaction score for the southbound service area, and 82% for the northbound service area, making it second-worst and sixth-worst respectively. Both sides remained in the bottom five in 2023.
The head office for Granada services and later Moto, this combined with it being a very busy service station has meant it has often been used as a test bed by the firms for new ideas. Previously Granada had used Heston and their London office in Golden Square.
Despite being one of the oldest service areas Moto owns, it's also one of their busiest and most profitable, helped by the fact that there aren't many service areas to the south-west. Plans for a new service area at Redbourn were objected to by Granada and refused.
The service area has an unusual place in TV history. It had a lengthy segment in the first ever episode of Top Gear, broadcast in 1977, in which Angela Rippon met customers and received mixed views in the restaurant. It then appeared again in the relaunched Top Gear, where it was the starting point for the first ever 'cheap car challenge' in 2004.
Like all service areas in England, a new 50-year lease was signed in 1982. This was valued at £2.3million, making it the most valuable. That's the equivalent of around £8million in 2025.
Recent Changes
The Little Chef here was the last to leave the motorway network, lasting until 2010. It may well have lasted a little longer as Moto wanted to set up a Costa stand at the entrance to the service area, but those plans were refused as inappropriate development, so Costa took over Little Chef instead.
The Barber Shop on the southbound side, situated in a portable building in the car park, closed in July 2010. It reopened in December 2011 as a Faith Room.
Fone Bitz used to have stores on both sides here however the southbound store closed in 2018. A northbound Cotton Traders store also closed in late 2019. The northbound Fone Bitz store was later replaced with a Top Gift store in 2021.
A KFC opened on the northbound side in January 2019. The southbound Chow unit later closed in early 2023 to make way for a southbound KFC restaurant too, with The Services King opening the new restaurant on 24 April 2023. Pret A Manger then replaced the former Arlo's restaurant space on the northbound side, opening on 20 November 2023.
Additional electric vehicle chargers were added to both sides in late 2023, with the northbound side becoming a super hub in December. Further chargers were added to the southbound car park in early 2025 and are set to go live in April 2025.
Alternatives
| Previous: | Next: | |
| London Gateway (26 miles) Cobham (M25 west, 53 miles) South Mimms (M25 east, 25 miles) Heston (M4 east, 38 miles) Reading (M4 west, 63 miles) Fleet (M3 south-west, 60 miles) Breakspear Way (A414 west, 15 miles) | Services on the M1 | Newport Pagnell (15 miles) |
| Heston (M4 east, 38 miles) Reading (M4 west, 63 miles) | Moto services | Rugby (M6, 48 miles) |
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