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Birch Green is a hamlet just outside Whaddon near Gloucester, positioned on the M5 motorway between junctions 11A and 12.
If you're driving through the Cotswolds heading north or south, it's worth stopping here properly rather than just grabbing fuel. What sets this place apart from typical motorway services is the genuine attention to food quality. You'll find independent artisanal producers and local suppliers instead of the usual chain restaurants, so you can pick up really good coffee, fresh pastries, deli items and proper meals made from quality ingredients. There's also a shop stocked with regional products if you want to bring home some gifts or treats.
The facilities opened in phases during 2014 and 2015, built with drivers in mind but with a different approach to what motorway stops can offer. You'll find Esso fuel pumps and EV charging points available, making it convenient whether you're driving a traditional car or an electric vehicle.
It's a handy stop if you're traveling between the Forest of Dean to the north or exploring Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds to the south. Because the food here is actually worth eating, you won't feel like you're settling for standard motorway fare, which makes the journey feel more like part of your trip rather than something to rush through.
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