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A lazy criticism of British people is we are all so reserved and tedious as to consider conversations about the weather acceptable small talk.
And while it’s true that as a nation we do find comfort in consoling one another over the perpetual drizzle (it was bloody miserable this week wasn’t it?), a far more accurate dig would be to say we are all so dull we have a favourite petrol station. Which, let’s face it, we do.
And for all you petrol station heads out there (and to be honest, that’s all of you), this north London service station might top the list as being the most ‘bougie’ local going.
Located on North Road in leafy Highgate, a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, the Gulf station has been serving up litres of diesel and ounces of artisan coffee for decades.
It is set back from the busy main road in a beautiful stone garage which sells everything from organic pasta to windscreen washer fluid.
The station’s sign lists petrol at £1.34 and diesel at £1.43 a litre but you suspect it’s the promise of farmhouse cakes, freshly made sandwiches and ice cream milkshakes below it that tempts in motorists from the often-gridlocked road more frequently.
When the Daily Mail visited the charming station this week it was business as usual on the forecourt with cars drinking down their oil, however the inside of the store resembled more of a farm shop than your standard motorway kiosk.
There wasn’t an instant Costa coffee machine in site and you’d be hard-pressed to find anything on sale that wasn’t from an independent producer.
This north London service station might top the list as being the most ‘bougie’ local going
The Gulf petrol station in Highgate makes its unique selling points known to all motorists
Inside you’d be hard-pressed to find anything on sale that wasn’t from an independent producer
Naturally though for a petrol station that primarily serves Hampstead mums, the prices aren’t cheap
Naturally though for a petrol station that primarily serves Hampstead mums, the prices aren’t cheap.
In fact, our reporter was charged over £9 for a ginger loaf and a packet of pasta.
It’s not just London though, motorists up north can also find a new haunt which features a farm shop and butcher’s selling locally-sourced produce, and fresh cheeses.
Located on the M6 in Cumbria, just an hour south of the Scottish border, Tebay Services is often regarded as one of the country’s best – and has been described by some on TikTok as ‘proper boujee’.
Worlds away from most services scattered along the UK’s motorways, passengers stopping for a quick coffee or bite to eat at Tebay may be enticed by the pottery and Neal’s Yard products on offer rather than WHSmith sandwiches.
Far from fast food options or supermarket chains, the ‘tasty’ food on offer is all made from scratch, while ingredients are also entirely locally sourced.
For those travelling with their furry friends, the services have a dog seating area inside, while the luxury shop offers well-sourced dog treats and toys.
Located on the M6 in Cumbria, just an hour south of the Scottish border, Tebay Services is often regarded as one of the country’s best – and has been described by some on TikTok as ‘proper boujee’
Guests at the services will also find a beautiful picnic area that overlooks the Cumbrian mountains.
John and Barbara Dunning, a farmer couple from Cumbria, opened the services in 1972 after the M6 motorway was built directly through their farm.
Seeking to ‘bring together thousands of the finest foods, crafts and clothes from our locality, our region and further afield’, the business hopes to ‘champion a wide community of farmers and makers’.
Passengers stopping for a quick coffee or bite to eat may be enticed by the pottery, Neal’s Yard products and fresh cheeses on offer, alongside the beautiful picnic area that overlooks the Cumbrian mountains
The couple have received plenty of recognition for their efforts, as Which? ranked Tebay Services as the second-best service station in the UK at the end of last year.
