Annandale Water Services A74(M)
Comment on Annandale Water Services MSA
Stopped off on way back from a fantastic holiday in Scotland. Unfortunately this was a BIG mistake.Absolutely disgusting facility in a beautiful location. Dog dirt all over the place, made us all feel sick, absolutely revolting. This site should be shut down and completely revamped. A seperate dog area is required. Dog owners should be ashamed of themselves as well as the management at this location. I WILL NEVER STOP HERE AGAIN
david, 25 August 2010
We stopped yesterday and I was ashamed that this filthy service station is in Scotland. All tables outside were covered with dirty dishes with litter all over the place. The windows of the actual service station also leave a lot to be desired. This place should be closed down! The view outside is lovely but sadly that is all that is lovely. Health & Safety should take a serious look at the state of this awful service station.
M Donovan, 16 August 2010
This place used to be so nice but utterly disgusting these days. After looking at the food on display on hot plates in the cafe (mashed potatoes going brown and crusty round edges, congealed mushy peas and beans and some other stuff that i'm sure was once food) I opted for the tomato soup as safest option. Although it had big sign next to it stating tomato, when I lifted lid of pot it was green and lumpy. Pea? Had a laugh with another girl who had same idea as me and was also trying to figure out what was lurking in the soup pot. The bread provided was rock solid so inedible. My dad and his partner went for the fish and chips and were told that if they wanted any veg they had to pay extra. Neither finished their meal as it was cold and overcooked. Service was terrible. We had to stand and wait for kids serving to finish their conversation before even looking at us. I must have picked up 20 pieces of cutlery before giving up and choosing the least dirty. The place was not busy but took quite some time to find a table as they were all so filthy. I counted at least 15 tables all waiting to be cleared. The table we did sit at was all sticky. Extremely expensive for food that I'm sure even my dog would turn her nose up at! You could eat out in a nice restaurant for less. Such a pity as it is in a beautiful spot. The petrol station was extortionate too! Have no idea how they can get away with such high petrol prices. I have never been compelled to write on a page like this before despite having been to some awful places but this place is beyond belief! Aviod!!!
L Tailor, 22 July 2010
The site is located in beautiful surroundings and I've stopped here many times before. The staff have always seemed polite and the food is delicious. (I recommend the Fish & Chips!) However, on busy days the quality of service can (understandably) slip a little bit. However, it's certainly worth a visit; not many service stations offer such a great view while you sip your coffee.
C.T.Smith, 15 June 2010
On a lovely Friday afternoon, when needing a break on a long journey from Southern England to Perth, being able to sit out and enjoy the company of a wide variety of birds and look at some lovely scenery is great. But the queue at Costa coffee was very long and slow, the attitude of the staff surly and unhelpful.
Graham Morton, 11 June 2010
On a return journey from prestwick, Ayr after a funeral and numerous road diversions my partner myself and five week old baby stopped for refreshments and toilet break at Annandale, whilest changing babies nappy in the changing room his dummy fell to the floor, having only the one dummy with us for the rest of the journey home we decided to ask for some boiling water to soak the dummy, we went into costs coffee and purchased toasted sandwiches and my partner asked for some hot water. The assistant said Not if it's for baby?? My partner replied it's just to soak babies dummy, the assistant still said No, and to go next door and use their microwave????? I'm sorry but myself and my partner would have taken responsibility of the hot water if it was to be a health n safety matter, however no we struggled home to Manchester with a very uncomfortable baby. The changing area wasnt the best.
Gail, 27 April 2010
Late on Saturday night I stopped at your services. I felt that I must contact you to let you know that your staff on duty in the restaurant that night were the most pleasent, helpful motorway service staff I have ever come into contact with. They are a credit to your business and to themselves. Thank you
Stuart Allan, 8 March 2010
Visited 4/2/10 at 6:30. Apalling food display, stale half baguette drying out on a plate beside the the soup container. fish and chips on offer with peas or beans all under a heat lamp and looked like it had been there all day. Asked staff if there was anything fresh and hot, got the look and a shrug of the shoulders. Bought a Costa coffee and a muffin and went home. What an awful place,,, but no-one cares or tries ugh.
Glyn Williams, 5 February 2010
I agree that it's not good for a petrol station to run out of fuel however I would really have to say that there were probably good reasons for this. eg tankers not being able to make it to the station due to the weather. I think that the petrol side of it is possibly not connected to the actual services area and are run by different groups. Of course, I stand to be corrected here. Keith - have you ever stopped here before to find that petrol had run out. I'd say it's an isolated incident. The petrol ststion relies on selling fuel for the profits and to get people in the door to buy sweets, papers and something from The Wild Bean cafe that is in there as well. Next time you are in the area, drop in again and do try the facilities and then write down your thoughts. I'll be heading south in a few months time and will visit the place again and give my thoughts. Regards. JIM
JIM DEVINE, 6 January 2010
Yesterday I made the mistake of thinking that their petrol station would sell petrol. I had to divert to Moffat to buy some fuel and the Esso petrol station there informed me that the services had run out of fuel since the weekend! OK, it's the holiday season, and we've had bad weather conditions but if a petrol station 9 miles away can keep itself fueled up then this shows terrible mismanagement of a motorway service station.
Keith Starsmeare, 30 December 2009
I have been deliberately stopping here for a good few years now. I cannot fault the place at all. I found staff to be pleasant, the toilets always clean and I will continue to stop here. Recently they have installed a "crane gaming mchine" where the child has to use a "grabber" to get a toy dog. It's a great device as you cannot lose! If your child drops the toy dog he/she can get as many goes as necessary for a toy to be won. My son deliberately went for a specific dog toy and eventually he got it. That made the visit even more enjoyable. The wild birds including ducks are a delight to watch and this easily assists the driver to relax a little.
jim devine, 21 November 2009
This place is awful, the staff are uninterested and the place was not the cleanest the last time i visited (may 09). I now use Moffat Woollen Mill, which is 2 miles off the M74 and is fantastic and cheaper, the staff are much friendlier and helpfull. It gets loads of coaches so surley this is a good reccomendation.
Beartrice , 18 October 2009
This place USED to be a treat, serviing home cooked food in a lovely environment. What a nice memory. The reality today is that it's become one of the worst experiences I have ever had at a motorway service stop, in any country, over several decades. That's really how bad it was. There was not a single vegetarian option on the menu for my girlfriend, and I just can't remember the last time that happened anywhere in the UK. I chose fish & chips from the very poor choice offered by very bored staff, and it was one of the worst examples I've ever had, with stale soggy fish, and chips that had literally been boiled in grease. They couldn't even provide tartare sauce, until I bullied them into going away for several minutes to look, whence they returned with some dubious industrial concoction in a dish. Indescribably poor. And in view of how good this place used to be, the bosses ought to be taken out and thrown in the eponymous lake. Whoever is in charge of this place should be in jail, not in employment.
Ken Broughton, 3 October 2009
Called on our way up to The Isle of Arran for breakfast.The service was poor,food very poor, cultery dirty took me 5 attempts to find some clean cutlery to eat with, tables dirty taking into account this was first thing in the morning therefore thought every thing would have been clean a very unhappy customer wont be calling again.On our way back we called for a coffee giving your services the benefit of the doubt no change the coffee machines were not working the cups were dirty, so we went to the COSTA bar big mistake no where to sit all chairs on sofas, but staff still taking orders. We were asked if we were eating in or out, in I replied while giving order my husband found a seat, we started our coffee and snack when this rude assisstant asked us to move she said the eating area was shut and we would have to move to the area where we could not get served at before because the coffee machines were not working. My husband refused and we carried on eating our snack,the assisstant was quite rude. one services NEVER TO VISIT AGAIN. rude
diane woodward, 19 September 2009
Visited Annandale Water Services today, and it was a disgrace. The tables were filthy, the food was very expensive and decidely poor. When we went to get cutlery my husband picked up 30 knives and every single one still had food on them. The drinks were served in take-away cups and tasted disgusting. How can they charge so much for such poor quality and service.
Lisa Martin, 1 August 2009
We called in about 9pm to these services and 9 of us ordered fish and chips etc. Both the standard of food and the service provided was excellent. I have never known the food to be so good at a service area. The staff were helpful, and very polite. Thank you for a great meal in a lovely area! Diane Pallett
Diane Pallett, 20 July 2009
Perhaps the worst breakfast I have ever been served. Tepid, congealed and virtually impossible to eat. Cold coffee. No staff around so waiting to pay made the food tip from tepid to stone cold. Like a prime example of the worst of the old motorway service stations.
Rummy, 6 July 2009
After a stop on the motor services I stood in the line and asked the people serving the food at WIMPY stand what was on the child’s menu and was ignored a second request was made by wife and the server turned looked and turned away and was ignored once again. We then left! The two servers where serving onion rings this must be a very hard operation as to ignore customers. I will not be using this service station again as there is a second service station 20 miles south of this one.
lord morris, 5 May 2009
We drive from North Scotland to London on a regular basis and love stopping at these services. Toilets are usually clean and you can get a decent cup of coffee. Our main reason for stopping however is the location. We have a dog who travels well but it is lovely being able to stop and take her for a nice walk around the lake. You feel like you're 50 miles away from the motorway! Lovely.
Jo, 10 November 2008
We were thrown out for giving a 3 year old some of our own food - a very upsetting experience for the children and we will not be going back.
, 21 August 2008
Just a reply to the lady who was complaining about a BP driver who was refilling the tanks without anyone there. How is it against the law to do this??? Driver controlled delivery at motorway services, that means that delivery of petrol does not require another person present. IF you work for a fuel company please read heath and safety regulations with regards to risk assessments, anything that can cause a spark should not be in close range, including mobile phones, but also if there was a problem with the delivery, you may have caused a blockage if emergency proceedures were needed. Please stop offending fuel tanker drivers, I know lots of them and they work within strick regulations. He was doing his job correctly which is something you should know about if you work for a garage! The most garages on motorways are likely to be franchised too, therefore the gripe should be this the manager not the main company. COSHH, NEBOSH,DSEAR, CAD and DGSA regulations will enlighten you if you care to read.
Matilda, 31 July 2008
Perhaps the enthusiasm of the toilet cleaners would be stimulated if they had a Kaivac toilet cleaner as used by Moto.The presence of avian faeces outside is inevitable , but regrettable due to the likelyhood of salmonella therein.21
bostock, 22 July 2008
I wasnt happy with your bp garage at your services. On Sunday 1st of June I travelled to gretna to drop of grandchildren and then made my way back up the motorway hoping to get to Kilmarnock. Just about 15 mins into my journey my tempreture gage in my car started to rise so I made my way to Annandale services to get some water. I rested for a little until it cooled and then entered the garage looking for water. I parked up beside the free air and water machine and was told to move as tne tanker was pumping off fuel. As I work in a very popular garage Campbell Fuel OIls in Kilmarnock in Kilmarnock, I am am well aware of the rules when tanks are being filled, as I saw thd driver there alone, unassissted I was aware he was pumped off derv and not petrol, well I hope for his sake, as it is against the law to dow it urself when it is petrol. As the driver was smart and told to me to move I moved awy to look for a filling can so I could fill my car, and to my disgust there was none.So I proceeded into the shop to find an antifreeze with a summer coolant and low and behold there was none,then I proceeded to ask an assistant who didnt have a clue what I was talking about. So as for you calling yourselves a service station, you were of no help what so ever. I did by a bottle og water for £1.99 which leeked all over my front seat. I was clever enough to know I could put on my heater on at full blast and the fan kept my tempreture down untill I limped home. I was disappointed at the service and what about the poor people who did,nt know what to do, well I hope they have good breakdown cover as you are not reliable, I was in your sevices around 6.30 on the 1st of June fi you would like to check up on your tanker driver from bp, hate to think customs and excise would like to creep up in you some day.
Linda Hanlon, 4 June 2008
Though staff friendly and toilets clean, the flies all over the serving area put me off getting a breakfast.
Andy Stanbrook, 26 August 2007
In worst driving conditions I had to stop as my daughter was in discomfort. In virtually empty car and poor visibility I have mistaken wheelchair for pram and parked in disabled bay for literally two minutes. Weeks on and I have received letter from CP Plus asking for £80 in charges. Annandale Water was great few years back but since Roadchef took over it is going down with both food and service. Shame for scenery though.
Nick, 28 March 2007
Entered c.4.45pm 28 Dec 06 and purchased a burger and fries at Wimpy:- 1. Wimpy staff took some time to acknowledge my presence - they were not busy but were laughing in the rear area. 2. Burger was overcooked, tough aand barely eatable. 3. Fries were semi-cold, tough and virtually uneatable. 4. Eating area was FILTHY - worst service station I've ever been in. 5. I did not make representations to the Wimpy staff as I was in a hurry and, in any event, they did not strike me as competent to redress the situation. I have already emailed Wimpy but have not had the courtesy of a reply.
Craig Paterson, 31 December 2006
Sevices clean, nice surroundings, staff in shop very good but very disappointed with the food, For 9.99 the all ionclusive breakfast was poor and after a lengthy wait of around 15 minutes for 1 breakfast i'd be reluctant to come here in my proffessional capacity as a coach driver with 49 passengers... it in itself would end up a full day excursion!
S Campbell, 30 August 2006 (This comment relates to a visit to this service area at: 11 AM 30 August 2006)
nice little service station, as always, motorway services are more expensive than anywhere else, However, as its name suggests its on a body of water and plenty of wildlife to see whilst you have your refreshments, very pleasent compared to gretna services which is a hell hole and not that much further north (iF thats the way you are going), worth a stop.
phil hornby, 25 August 2006 (This comment relates to a visit to this service area at: 9 AM )
this is my favourite services, I always stop there on my way to scotland (and back!) The staff are friendly, the loos are clean... but its the outdoor space which makes it really lovely.
a, 24 August 2006
very nice, very clean motorway services. quite pricey on food but i guess thats the name of the game when ur stopping for a bite to eat. food is reasonable. toilets kept clean with touch buttons near the doors as u leave the toilets so u can give ur opinion of them.
Amy, 13 July 2006
I am about to drive from Essex to west Scotland and always stop at Annadale, it is small but always lovely. Costa Coffee is always busy but worth the wait and there is lots of open space for my dogs to run around, wonderful.
Lois, 14 June 2006
Had received several recommedations from friends and collegues to use this service station. Was not disappointed. Inside, it is OK, a bit small and lacking much life, but the ambiance is fantastic, after a long drive you can honestly believe you are miles from the nearest main road, and the outside lake and picnic areas are well kept. A perfect break after a long drive.
Gary Holmes, 5 February 2006 (This comment relates to a visit to this service area at: 8 AM 28 June 2005)
And, if you've got one, you can upload a picture of Annandale Water Services!
