The UK’s most family friendly service stations have been revealed and the winner is just outside Oxfordshire.

Beaconsfield Services has taken top spot in a new study with its play area for children, a lakeside walk for stretching and a Google rating of 4.2.

The champion station is located on the M40.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire school closes after power outage in Burford

Stations were ranked by insurance company ALA with the help of their ‘data experts’ according to factors which include play areas, free parking, food options and more.

Top 10 Family Service Stations in the UK in the rankings are:

  1. Beaconsfield
  2. Leigh Delamere
  3. Tebay North
  4. Cobham
  5. Peterborough
  6. Cherwell Valley
  7. Donington
  8. Stafford North
  9. Baldock
  10. Lancaster

Closely followed by Beaconsfield was Leigh Delamere, situated on the M4 between Swindon and Bristol, which "has plenty of cafes, shops and two play areas".

This research on family friendly service stations has been released in the run-up to the October half-term in the hope that it will help make journey planning easier.

The study also found that of the major 40 service stations analysed, ‘only’ 33 per cent had play areas.

Service stations with play areas include:

  • Baldock
  • Beaconsfield
  • Cherwell Valley
  • Chieveley
  • Cobham
  • Donington
  • Lancaster
  • Leigh Delamere
  • Peterborough

More information and the full results of the study can be found on the ALA website.