The Friendly Farmer

Fantastic freshly cooked local food, if you have to stop anywhere on the A1 this is the best place with out a doubt. We have made the 45min journey from home just for the roast beef dinner and fantastic yorkshire pudding. Miss this place and you miss out on some fantastic freshly cooked food. If only all motorway services were this good it would be a destination to stop at not just a necessary stop. Try it, love it and keep coming back, we have and we've never found anywhere better.

Not very often I bother with reviews, and then only for exceptionally good or bad service, and this was definitely at the upper end of the scale. Stopped off on the way to London for an English breakfast. I had 3 sausages, 2 eggs, beans, coffee and 2 rounds of toast, my son had the same plus 3 rashes of bacon and a bottle of water instead of coffee. Cooked to order, believe me this was a top notch English, and the sausages in particular were wonderful. All this...and I still got change out of a tenner! I thought they'd made a mistake, but no. Compare this for instance, to the pure comedy of being asked to "wait in one the bays" at McDonald's for the 'fare' they serve at a similar price when ordering anything more complicated than a Big Mac, and it gives you some perspective. If this place was nearer to where I live I'd be a permanent fixture at meal times. Pleasant surroundings, friendly, excellent service, how do they manage it? A very well deserved 5 stars (pity I couldn't give them more).

First visit here, recommended by one of our party. On our way to Lindesfarne, 15 of us in a mini bus. No problem parking and plenty of seating. Toilet facilities good. Everyone seemed happy with service and refreshments, I particularly liked the Sultana and almond slice that I chose to accompany my coffee.

Stopped here on the way back from a few days break. Just saw the sign and pulled in so had no idea what to expect. Really lovely place. Very clean. Lots of parking including disabled. Separate mens, women's and disabled toilets. Lots of homemade food and using local ingredients. Good selection of teas and coffees. Friendly staff serving who were extremely helpful. Nice selection of gifts, cards and local food products to buy in the shop. Would definitely stop here again.