Watford Gap Services

Critical Thinking · **Joined:** Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:50 am **Posts:** 2309

I see it is having a makeover this iconic motorway stop.

Never understood why it was called Watford Gap - it is a few miles north of Watford.

In the early days it was almost like a restaurant where you would drive out to for a meal.

Apparently pop stars, the Beatles amongst them, would use the place and even it was reported Jimmy Hendix stopped there.

Of course when it first opened in early November 1959 there were so few cars on the road but now . . . . .!

JBPoolie · **Joined:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:19 am **Posts:** 137

Critical Thinking wrote:

Never understood why it was called Watford Gap - it is a few miles north of Watford.

It was built near a village which was also called Watford and ‘Gap’ because it was in a valley between hills either side.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 36397

It’s in Northamptonshire…used to be regular one time but the last time I was in there was 2014….

Critical Thinking · **Joined:** Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:50 am **Posts:** 2309

Just after your 50th birthday then Snowy!

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22568

If the Beatles went there the meal would have been very average.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 36397

Critical Thinking wrote:

Just after your 50th birthday then Snowy!

Nah..just after my 90th by some of the comments :laugh:

Flying Hogans · **Joined:** Tue Nov 05, 2019 10:29 pm **Posts:** 5381

Mr Irrelevant wrote:

If the Beatles went there the meal would have been very average.

In the Sixties all the London bands travelling to gigs in the Midlands went up and back the same day in transit vans. They'd stop off in the wee small hours at Watford Gap or Scratchwood (now London Gateway) for a fry up. In 1969 the roadie for Fairport Convention fell asleep at the wheel just before Scratchwood and crashed, killing the band's drummer and the girlfriend of the guitarist. There were only a couple of seats in the old Transits and everyone else was in the back with the equipment.

Not sure that ever applied to the Beatles - they stopped touring in the mid-60s and before that used to be in revue shows with other bands and singers so travelled in tour buses. It's a fair bet they saw the inside of a few motorway services all the same.

Kettering Poolie · **Posted:** Tue Nov 07, 2023 12:13 am

I might live in the SARF- but happy to report I'm on the NORTH side of the Watford Gap so technically still NORTH of the unofficial media border! bbolt

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22568

I hate the fact that all you can get these days is fast food. Even in France where the services had a decent if not spectacular restaurant, they have been reduced to McKFC Burger King.

harrogatepoolie · **Joined:** Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:35 pm **Posts:** 1126

Flying Hogans wrote:

Mr Irrelevant wrote:

If the Beatles went there the meal would have been very average.

In the Sixties all the London bands travelling to gigs in the Midlands went up and back the same day in transit vans. They'd stop off in the wee small hours at Watford Gap or Scratchwood (now London Gateway) for a fry up. In 1969 the roadie for Fairport Convention fell asleep at the wheel just before Scratchwood and crashed, killing the band's drummer and the girlfriend of the guitarist. There were only a couple of seats in the old Transits and everyone else was in the back with the equipment.

Not sure that ever applied to the Beatles - they stopped touring in the mid-60s and before that used to be in revue shows with other bands and singers so travelled in tour buses. It's a fair bet they saw the inside of a few motorway services all the same.

The Beatles travelled in buses with other bands! New one on me. Perhaps it was the magical mystery tours you are referring too.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 36397

What did they use then…….the celestial wings of angels and cherubs?

Flying Hogans · **Joined:** Tue Nov 05, 2019 10:29 pm **Posts:** 5381

harrogatepoolie wrote:

Flying Hogans wrote:

Mr Irrelevant wrote:

If the Beatles went there the meal would have been very average.

In the Sixties all the London bands travelling to gigs in the Midlands went up and back the same day in transit vans. They'd stop off in the wee small hours at Watford Gap or Scratchwood (now London Gateway) for a fry up. In 1969 the roadie for Fairport Convention fell asleep at the wheel just before Scratchwood and crashed, killing the band's drummer and the girlfriend of the guitarist. There were only a couple of seats in the old Transits and everyone else was in the back with the equipment.

Not sure that ever applied to the Beatles - they stopped touring in the mid-60s and before that used to be in revue shows with other bands and singers so travelled in tour buses. It's a fair bet they saw the inside of a few motorway services all the same.

The Beatles travelled in buses with other bands! New one on me. Perhaps it was the magical mystery tours you are referring too.

After they made it big they had a chauffeur driving an Austin Princess. Flash bar stewards!

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 18928

JBPoolie wrote:

Critical Thinking wrote:

Never understood why it was called Watford Gap - it is a few miles north of Watford.

It was built near a village which was also called Watford and ‘Gap’ because it was in a valley between hills either side.

yes, that villiage is just at the top of the southbound service road from watford gap. its hard to think of another name they could call it as its really in the middle of nowhere just off the A5. Actually i have stopped at every services down the M1 and that plus rothersthorpe are the best two by a long way.

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 36397

harrogatepoolie wrote:

Flying Hogans wrote:

Mr Irrelevant wrote:

If the Beatles went there the meal would have been very average.

In the Sixties all the London bands travelling to gigs in the Midlands went up and back the same day in transit vans. They'd stop off in the wee small hours at Watford Gap or Scratchwood (now London Gateway) for a fry up. In 1969 the roadie for Fairport Convention fell asleep at the wheel just before Scratchwood and crashed, killing the band's drummer and the girlfriend of the guitarist. There were only a couple of seats in the old Transits and everyone else was in the back with the equipment.

Not sure that ever applied to the Beatles - they stopped touring in the mid-60s and before that used to be in revue shows with other bands and singers so travelled in tour buses. It's a fair bet they saw the inside of a few motorway services all the same.

The Beatles travelled in buses with other bands! New one on me. Perhaps it was the magical mystery tours you are referring too.

The Magical Mystery tour coach was only for the film of that name, the other magical mystery tour is just a tourist gimmick.

Watford Gap Services

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