You may think that being able to stop to use the toilets at a Motorway service station is an impossibility if you don’t want to leave your dog in the car.
Surprisingly, this is not true, although I don’t think that the operators go out of their way to publicise the options they offer.
On the next page I have compiled a list of as many service stations as I can, complete with what options (if any) they have to enable you to use their toilets and what outdoor space they have where you can give your dogs their own toilet break.
Many offer some sort of drive through or outside concession or you can always bring a flask, but to my mind, being confident that you can use the toilet while still keeping your dogs safe is the priority.
With the number that do offer access to toilet facilities and have open spaces, it should be possible to plan most journeys avoiding the few that do not have suitable facilities.
Service Station Operators
The majority of service stations in the country are run by one of 3 operators – Moto, Roadchef and Welcome break.
Both Roadchef and Moto allow customers to take their dogs inside in order to use the toilet but not into the restaurant areas. I haven’t tried to do this yet so I would suggest having the relevant bit from their website open on your phone before you go in, in case you are challenged.
Welcome break
Welcome break used to not allow dogs inside but now allow well behaved dogs on a lead in the toilet and setaing areas. There is a notice on the front doors with all the rules of what is and isn’t allowed in the service station.
Extra
Their initial response to my inquiry was:
“As we are sure you can appreciate, our amenity building is unable to accommodate dogs apart from guide dogs due to there being food prepared/available, and very young children and families present at all times of day and night.
Should you need any assistance with this when visiting, please do contact one of the Extra staff in the branded uniforms who would be happy to help you.
You are of course welcome to walk your dog outside.”
I then asked for clarification on how to get hold of one of their staff and received this reply:
“Our staff would be very happy to look after your dogs for a few minutes while you use the amenities inside but you would need to leave them in the car while you find an Extra colleague who are normally located in the food hall area.
You mention that Moto and Roadchef do allow dogs to be brought into their food hall areas and bathrooms and we would recommend using these services for a rest break instead if you feel that they are more suitable.”
So that doesn’t really fill me with any confidence that it would be easy to use the facilities there so I would recommend that you find an alternative if possible.
Goldies on tour 