The smaller, older Fleet Northbound. Very typical looking Welcome Break, very square in appearance with various brand advertisements for Starbucks, Waitrose, KFC etc. Fleet was constructed in 1973 by Trusthouse Forte and at the time of construction, motorway services went from being built large and obvious to small and much more discrete, resulting in this building seeming small. The original Southbound building was larger with more facilities. This building has had some extensions over the years, adding space for new facilities inside. Fleet Northbound is surrounded by woodland, with tall trees making this site appear more leafy. Before 2006 when Welcome Break refurbished Fleet North following their styling changes, this building was painted bright orange with lots of brand advertising for McDonalds and Coffee Primo (neither trade here now). I like the building at Fleet North, however, it’s mostly considered old and cramped. For years, Fleet was the only services on the M3 (between 1973 and 2001 when Winchester opened), but three had been planned initially. Fleet’s footbridge (now known as Scott Mills Bridge) opened in 1971 and ghost slip roads were added here. Ghosts slips were added to Kempshott and Trumps Green, the other unbuilt M3 services. These slips have now been removed. Fleet North was site to Welcome Breaks first Starbucks Drive Thru, opening in 2012, utilising a former forecourt building. Fleet Northbound’s amenity building, and most of the footbridge, were completely unscathed following the 2016 fire at Southbound. Fleet was fairly busy during my visit as it’s the summer season when many travel from London to the South-West. Fleet North is fully signposted from the M3.

Photo taken on 22/07/2023 by Tom Moon.

Assigned to galleries: Fleet, Welcome Break, M3