Michaelwood Services

Michaelwood Services opened on 3 December 1971 as Britain’s first self-service motorway petrol station, run by Mobil. The name derives from surrounding woodland, originally spelled ‘Michael Wood’ before Welcome Break standardized it as one word in 1991. The services were designed as temporary buildings until traffic levels warranted full facilities. A £1 million extension occurred 1979-80, with a footbridge added in 1981. The 40-year-old footbridge was dramatically removed by a 750-tonne crane in 2020.