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.
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.
Moto
If I travel alone and I’m travelling with my dog, can I bring him/her inside
with me so that I can use the facilities?
Yes, we won’t turn any drivers away who need to bring their dog(s) with them in order to use
the toilet facilities inside our buildings. Please note though, dogs are not permitted inside our
restaurants or shops.
Roadchef
Can I bring my dog into the service area?
At Roadchef, we want you and your family to enjoy a relaxing rest break, in a comfortable environment and this extends to those that travel with their four legged friends. Many of our services have extensive outdoor areas that are suitable for exercising your dog and if you are travelling alone or with children you can bring your dog into the building so that you are able to use our toilet facilities. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate pets, with the exception of Guide Dogs, in our catering outlets but we do have outdoor seating that can be used throughout your stop. For the safety of both our customers and your pets, please ensure that they remain on a lead at all times.
Welcome break
Welcome break used to not allow dogs inside but now allow well behaved dogs on a lead in the toilet and seating 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
Extra Motorway Services only allow assistance dogs in their buildings. However, some of their sites have outdoor areas for dog walking.
Goldies on tour 