Unexpected gem with stunning views
4
4
Date of visit: September 2026
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
We stopped at this service station after trying and failing to charge at Tebay Services. I wasn't expecting much, but I was rather impressed with this service station, both for its accessibility and the spectacular lake views.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
There are automatic sliding doors at the entrance, with several benches just outside. Inside, there is plenty of seating in the dining area, where people were enjoying Costa and McDonald’s (we enjoyed both at the same time!). There is plenty of space to manoeuvre, even with the largest of mobility devices, although I didn’t see any alternative formats available.
Accessible facilities: Single-level venue, Step-free entrance
Parking & Transport
Good
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
The EV chargers are a bit of a trek from the service station, but I was happy to see that one of the bays was a reasonable size. This made my experience as a wheelchair user a little better than I’d usually expect. I have strong views on the inaccessibility of EV chargers, but this helped ease them a little. I also spotted several accessible parking spaces near the entrance.
Accessible facilities: Electric Vehicle Charging, Dedicated on-site parking
Accessible Toilets
Good
There is a Changing Places toilet, but I didn’t have my RADAR key with me, so I wasn’t able to check it out. I did visit one of the two accessible toilets, neither of which requires a RADAR key to access. I used the first toilet down the corridor. The door opened inwards. The room was pretty small. There was space for a left-side transfer, but the bin was in the way, making this difficult. The red cord is to the right when seated, but it was tied up when I visited! The pan has contrasting rails on either side, but no contrasting seat. The sink has a small basin, a lever-style mixer tap and contrasting rails on either side, but no mirror, which is annoying. There is no colostomy shelf.
Facilities: Changing Places toilet, Red Cord Card, Accessible toilet
Additional Information
There is a McDonald’s, Costa and WHSmith at the service station. McDonald’s and Costa have ordering terminals. Near Costa, there is plenty of seating, as well as outdoor tables with views of the lake.
