Hidden Gem: Tebay Services

By Charlotte Coulson

Staycationers will know all too well the importance of an excellent service station. For those heading along the M6, Tebay Services is a stop-off with a difference.

Established in the 1970s, Tebay was started by local farmers when the new M6 cut through the Tebay Gorge. Rather than succumb to the selection of food outlets and a Little Chef, this family-owned business aims to showcase the best in local Cumbrian produce whilst respecting the environmentally sensitive local area. 

The result is the ultimate farm shop complete with a butchery, deli and patisserie, ideal for stocking up on the very best essentials, meanwhile its restaurant serves everything from pies and stews to salads and sandwiches – all homemade of course.

It's got a lovely outdoor space too surrounded by trees and views of the Cumbrian landscape, complete with a duck pond and a sign-posted dog walk for those with four legged companions needing to run off some excess energy.