Tebay services
It’s not often you’ll find me recommending a service station as a great place to eat but there are a few exceptions and one of the best is here in the North West. Tebay services is located on the M6 between junctions 38 and 39. There are the facilities you need on a stop on a long journey as well as amazing quality food. Find more Family days out North West here.
There is a northbound and a southbound building, car park etc. We have only visited the northbound so far. All photos in this post are of the northbound building. I have included details about the southbound facilities too.
Tebay services facilities
Tebay services have all the services you would expect or need from a service station but it is a million miles from your average service station. The minute you walk through the doors you’ll notice this is a step up from your usual service stop.
There are of course toilet facilities including a family room, a changing places one and showers. We have visited a number of times of the years and the bathrooms are always clean despite how busy the services are.
There is also a quick kitchen for takeaway food, the main cafe area and a farm shop. I’ll tell you more about all of these below.
Outside there is a dog walking area, a filling station and plenty of parking including electric charging points. They even have a hotel and campsite if you are looking to break up a long journey.
Accessibility at Tebay services
Accessibility is important to the people behind Tebay and pretty much all the buildings are wheelchair accessible. The only exception is one section of the Kitchen dining area (on the southbound side), which is on a lower level and accessed by steps.
There are also changing places facilities on both sides of the motorway.
Tebay services farm shop
The farm shop is a great addition to the services. You can pick up some essentials or treats for your trip as well as browse and buy kitchenware, clothes, kids things and outdoor enthusiast gifts like books, walking and camping gear.
There is even a butchers counter which sells a whole range of meat products from their very own farm. There are also essential products and artisan food from their farm and local produces. Their baked goods are delicious!
Eating at Tebay services
All food is cooked from scratch using their own products from their farm and from local producers too. The food is fantastic quality and tastes fantastic. It’s also very reasonably priced.
In the kitchen area you can choose from a selection of classic dishes which are done really well. On our most recent visit, I had the fish and chips which was delicious and well worth the £12.95. My husband enjoyed the steak and chips too.
Kids can eat for £1 with any adult main, all day, everyday! Our kids had lasagna and sausage and mash. These are all served from the mains for adults, just in smaller portions. Our kids are 10 and 7 and they not only enjoyed the food but ate pretty much all of it too. We found the portion sizes big enough for them too.
They also serve breakfast until 11am and the rest of the day they have sandwiches and salads alongside the mains described above. There is also a big selection of drinks and some sweet treats too.
At the quick kitchen you can grab a quick breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack to go. They also sell hot drinks and there is a coffee machine in the foyer too.
Family essentials at Tebay Services
As well as great value family food, you’ll find a small indoor soft play area in the kitchen on both sides of the motorway. You’ll also find an outdoor willow play tunnel on the Southbound side.
You can get the kids to stretch their legs on the short dog walks (on both sides). You might see some wildlife as well as some great views.
There are picnic areas on the northbound side in the woodland and by the duck pond.
There are parent and child parking bays and family toilets including child sizes facilities and changing tables.
Staying at Tebay services
If you are heading up or down the M6 and looking for somewhere to stay overnight to break up the trip then Tebay might be a good option for you.
There is a hotel and a campsite. You can also pay to stay overnight in your vehicle in the car park. Overnight parking currently costs £22 including a £6 voucher for the farm shop or kitchen (prices correct February 2024). As I mention above there are toilets and shower facilities in the main building. Overnight parking is paid for on the day in the filling station.
We’ve not personally stayed at the hotel but it looks lovely. They have family rooms and dog-friendly rooms too. Find out more and book here – Westmorland Hotel.
The caravan park is another option. It is seasonal though and closes over winter. At the time of writing it is a hard-standing pitches cost £26 per night including a £3 voucher for the Farm shop & Kitchen. You need to book your pitch online here – Caravan Park.
Dogs at Tebay services
Dogs are welcome in the foyer area of the buildings but not in the farm shop, kitchen or quick kitchen.
Why we love Tebay services
We visit the Lake District frequently and have visited Tebay a number of times. We love the quality of the food and it tastes delicious too.
On our last visit, we paid £35 for 2 adult and 2 children’s mains and 4 soft drinks. We think this is great value for delicious and high quality food.
I also love a browse around the farm shop looking at the gifts and picking up a few foodie treats two.
Nearby places to visit with kids
Find more places to stop on the M6 here – Places to stop on the M6.
There are loads of great places to walk nearby. Find loads of ideas here – Family walks Lake District.
Sizergh castle is not far away and the Sizergh castle play trail is fantastic for kids.
We find this is a great place to stop on our way to Center Parcs. Find our Center parcs Whinfell forest review here.
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