Best Places to Stop on the A303

Best Places to Stop on the A303: Your Complete Guide to Cafes and Restaurants

Planning a road trip to Devon or Cornwall? The A303 is your gateway to the South West, but those long stretches between service stations can leave you searching for the perfect pit stop.

Whether you’re travelling with children, pets, or simply need a break from driving, this guide reveals the best cafes and restaurants along the A303 route.

Why You Need to Know the Best A303 Stops

If you’re travelling from the M3 or A34 towards the South West, the A303 becomes your companion for miles. After leaving Fleet or Chieveley Services behind, finding quality refreshment spots can be challenging—especially when travelling with family or four-legged friends.

The A303: A Brief History

Originally created from existing B roads in the 1950s, the A303 was designed as a “New Direct Road” to Devon and Cornwall to accommodate increasing holiday traffic. The route cleverly bypasses major towns like Salisbury and Yeovil, and parts of it follow the ancient Harrow Way—one of Britain’s oldest thoroughfares that passes the iconic Stonehenge, used by travellers for thousands of years.

Planning Your A303 Journey

Living near Honiton at the western end of the A303, I know that reassuring feeling when you reach Salisbury and realize you’re on the home stretch. While recent improvements have upgraded sections of the road, bottlenecks still cause delays, making it essential to know your stop-off options in advance.

Whether you need a planned break or face an unexpected hold-up, having a list of excellent cafes and restaurants within 5 minutes of the A303 can transform your journey from tedious to enjoyable.

Best A303 Stops Between Amesbury and Honiton

This comprehensive guide covers the top coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants along the A303, starting at Amesbury near Salisbury and ending near Honiton. Each location is conveniently situated no more than 5 minutes’ drive from the main route—perfect for quick refreshment breaks or leisurely lunch stops.

Stop at Amesbury Solstice Park if it’s late, you need fuel, the loo or just prefer fast food from McDonalds or Pizza Hut.  There’s also an Asda express shop and InstaVolt rapid chargers.

However there are lots more places to choose from if you can keep going for another ½ hour or more then you have lots of choices just off the main road.

Ordered from East to West between towns or main roundabouts with links to Google maps.

Amesbury to Wincanton

1. Stourhead National Trust Cafe

Location: BA12 6QE (just north of the A303)

If you’re looking for a reliable stop with plenty to offer, Stourhead is hard to beat. This National Trust gem has a lovely large cafe, small farm shop, and clean toilets—all accessible without paying to enter the main Stourhead estate (though parking charges apply for non-members).

What I love about this spot is the flexibility. Need to stretch your legs after hours in the car? There are minor roads and footpaths around the estate perfect for a quick walk or letting the dog have a run. The cafe itself serves the quality food you’d expect from National Trust, and there’s plenty of space for families. If you have longer then read more about Stourhead here.

Key details:

• Parking: Large car park (charges apply for non-members)
• EV charging: Multiple 22kW charging points
• Family-friendly: Spacious with outdoor areas and farm shop
• Dog-friendly: Permitted on estate paths
• View on map

2. The Brush and Broom (Hillbrush)

Location: BA12 6FE (south of the A303)

Don’t let the industrial estate setting fool you—this is one of the more unusual and interesting stops along the A303. The Brush and Broom is a large, bright, modern restaurant and cafe that sits alongside a small brush museum (yes, really!) and a shop selling every type of brush imaginable. It’s surprisingly fascinating.

I’ve stopped here for coffee and found it pleasant, though reviews suggest it can be a bit pricey. The good news? You can check the menus online before you commit, which takes the guesswork out of whether it fits your budget or dietary needs.

Key details:

• Parking: Good-sized car park
• EV charging: Available (check with venue for power rating)
• Unique feature: Brush museum and shop worth a quick browse
• Check before you go: View menus online
• View on map

Wincanton to Podimore

3. Teals Farm Shop and Café

Location: North Cadbury, BA22 7FS

I can personally recommend Teals as a lovely place to stop. I’ve enjoyed brunch and cakes here on multiple occasions, and it’s become one of my go-to spots along this stretch of the A303. The café serves great food, and the small farm shop is perfect for stocking up on tasty treats for the rest of your journey.

Beyond the food, there’s also a lovely gift shop if you fancy browsing—ideal if you need a proper break from driving or want to pick up something special. While dogs aren’t allowed inside, Teals has thought of everything with a dedicated dog exercise area and outside seating where you can enjoy takeaway purchases with your furry friend.

Key details:

• Parking: Easy access and parking on-site
• EV charging: Medium-speed charging available
• Family-friendly: Welcoming atmosphere, quality food and gift shop
• Dogs: Outdoor seating and dedicated dog exercise area (no dogs inside)
• Website: teals.co.uk
• View on map

4. Haynes Motor Museum

Location: Near Sparkford

If you have a bit more time and travelling with car enthusiasts, the Haynes Motor Museum makes a brilliant extended stop. It’s a great day out for all ages, and the best part, if you pre-book tickets the day before,  they can be reused for return visits for a whole year.

There is space around the back for parking caravans and motor homes, but only while the museum is open (this facility is not available over night).

Even if you’re not planning a full museum visit, there’s a café you can access without paying museum entrance. It’s perfect for a coffee break with a bit more interest than your average roadside stop, especially if the kids—or adults—need some proper entertainment.

Key details:

• Parking: Large car park suitable for campervans and touring caravans
• EV charging: 8 Pod Point 7kW charging points
• Family-friendly: Museum appeals to all ages
• Unique feature: Tickets valid for return visits
• Cafe: Café access without museum entry
• View Map

5. Emma’s Old School Café

Location: Queen Camel, Yeovil, BA22 7NH

Just a short drive from the new junction at Sparkford (race past McDonald’s please!), Emma’s Old School Café is on my list to check out for you based on excellent reviews. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, it’s particularly noted for lovely food and gluten-free options—always a bonus when you’re travelling with dietary requirements.

The location makes it an easy stop if you’re travelling midweek or on a Saturday morning, and reviews suggest it’s well worth the small detour. Check on Facebook for more details.

Key details:

• Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30am-4:30pm (closed Sunday-Monday)
• Special feature: Gluten-free options available
• Great for: Breakfast and lunch stops.
• View on map

Podimore to South Petherton

6. The Bakery, West Camel

Location: Sparkford Road, West Camel, Yeovil, BA22 7RB

If you’re a regular A303 user, you’ve almost certainly driven past The Bakery with its distinctive little loaf of bread on a stand outside. Maybe you’ve stopped, or maybe in the past you decided it looked too tricky to access safely. Well, I have brilliant news, despite the new road layout the bakery is still there, and now you can pull off the main road and visit without playing a dangerous game of crossy road!

This is a fantastic place if you want to stock up on delicious fresh bread or treat yourself to cakes for your journey and takeaway coffee, and now you can have a proper leg stretch at the same time. It’s worth noting there are no other facilities here (no toilets, café seating, etc.), so treat it as a quick provisions stop rather than a full break.

Key details:

• Parking: Now accessible directly from new road layout
• Perfect for: Fresh bread, cakes, and pastries
• Note: No toilet facilities or café seating
• What makes it special: Local landmark, delicious fresh bakery goods and takeaway coffee, now safely accessible!
• Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday 6.30am – 5.30pm, Saturday 6am – 1pm
• View on map

7. The Hub 303 (Somer Thyme)

Location: Tintinhull, BA22 8PF

Brand new management for 2025, The Hub 303 and Somer Thyme Restaurant are tucked behind Townsend garage in a beautifully renovated building. This is actually two venues in one: The Hub 303 café offers informal coffee, cakes, homemade wraps, and pastries, while Somer Thyme Restaurant serves hot breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and carvery meals.

The real draw here for families is the large wooden play area—perfect if the kids have been cooped up in the car for too long and need to burn off some energy. Reviews are slightly mixed as it’s still finding its feet as a new venue, but the convenience and play facilities make it worth considering, especially if you’re travelling with children.

One thing to note: while it’s accessible heading both eastbound and westbound, if you’re heading west, you’ll need to travel about 2 miles in the wrong direction afterward to rejoin the dual carriageway—something to factor into your timing.

Key details:

• Parking: Available on-site
• Family-friendly: Large wooden play area (major plus for kids!)
• Menu: Café snacks through to full restaurant meals and carvery
• Dining options: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner available
• Access note: Westbound travelers will need to backtrack 2 miles to rejoin A303
• New venue: Opened 2025, establishing itself
• View on Map

8. Cartgate Lodge Café

Location: Cartgate Roundabout, just off the A303

This family-run café in a purpose-built lodge at the Cartgate Roundabout has become a popular alternative to the big commercial service stations. What makes Cartgate popular is its home-cooked food and that personal touch you just don’t get at chain stops. The café is particularly well-known for its Full English breakfasts and bacon or sausage baps—proper fuel for a long journey

The facilities here are good for a proper break. There’s plenty of parking for all vehicle sizes (including larger vehicles and caravans), grassy picnic areas, dedicated dog walking space with water bowls, and even outdoor gym equipment if you need to stretch properly after hours of driving. Public toilets are available too.

Being open from 7am to 8pm daily means it works for early starters and late finishers alike.

Interestingly, there’s currently controversy around this spot. Welcome Break submitted planning applications in mid-2025 for a large commercial service station nearby, which has upset many locals and regular A303 users who want to protect this independent gem. All the more reason to support it while you can!

Key details:

• Opening hours: 7am-8pm daily
• Parking: Ample parking for all vehicle sizes including caravans
• EV charging: SWARCO rapid chargers (50kW DC CCS & CHAdeMO, plus 43kW/22kW AC Type 2)
• Family-friendly: Outdoor gym equipment, picnic areas
• Dog-friendly: Dog walking areas with water bowls provided
• Facilities: Public toilets available
• View on map

9. The Old Dairy Café

Location: Bower Hinton Farm, Back Lane, Martock, TA12 6LH

The Old Dairy is one of those special finds that makes ditching the motorway services completely worthwhile. Set on a rustic working vegetable and strawberry farm in the heart of Somerset countryside, this is farm-to-fork dining at its finest—and it’s only a stone’s throw from the A303.

Owner Emily works magic with farm-fresh produce, her menu spans homemade brunch and lunch options, street food from around the world, modern British classics, and irresistible homemade cakes.

The outdoor seating is beautiful in good weather, surrounded by the sights and sounds of farm life.

Dogs are welcome in this small cafe, and while there’s limited space for pushchairs inside, there’s plenty of undercover parking for them. Worth noting: bookings are preferred for meals (walk-ins welcome after 1pm if kitchen availability allows), and they’re sometimes closed on Mondays but open on Bank Holiday Mondays.

Key details:

• Opening hours: Check website; typically 10am-3pm, closed some Mondays
• Dog-friendly: Welcome throughout the cafe
• Special features: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options; dairy-free menu available
• What makes it special: Farm-to-fork ethos, ethical sourcing, working farm setting
• Website: theolddairycafe.uk
• View on map

10. Daisies at Frogmery Green Farm

Location: South Petherton, TA13 5DJ

Daisies is a lovely success story—what started as a pop-up cake stall has blossomed into a full-blown café hut at Frogmery Green Farm. Owner Daisy is a professional baker, and from what I’ve seen, her cakes look absolutely amazing (this is definitely on my list to visit and report back with full details!).

The café offers both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a flexible stop whatever the weather. As this is a newer addition to the A303 café scene, it’s one to watch—and one I’ll be updating you on once I’ve sampled those professional-baker cakes myself!

Key details:

• Location: Frogmery Green Farm, South Petherton, TA13 5DJ
• Indoor & outdoor seating: Limited space indoors, outdoor cover available
• What makes it special: Professional baker-owner, homemade cakes
• Open: Wednesday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 9am-3pm
• More details on Facebook and Insta
• View on map

South Petherton to Honiton

11. Pip’s  – The Railway Carriage

Location: Lopenhead, South Petherton, TA13 5JH

If you’re looking for top-quality food and an experience that’s anything but ordinary, Pip’s absolutely deserves your attention. This award-winning café and restaurant is just minutes off the A303 but feels worlds away from typical roadside stops.

The setting is utterly unique: dine inside a beautifully restored 1850s railway carriage with individual cosy booths, grab a seat on a vintage double-decker bus with far-reaching countryside views, enjoy the bunting-adorned marquee with its toys and Wendy house (brilliant for families), or sit out in the beautiful garden overlooking their organic farm.

The food is what keeps people coming back. Think exciting, innovative flavours inspired by their organic farm—Turkish eggs that reviewers rave about, Vietnamese coffee, and at lunchtime, tapas-style small sharing plates bursting with flavour. With plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options (around 90% of the menu is naturally gluten-free), everything is locally and ethically sourced where possible, with an on-site bakeshop producing spectacular cakes—the vegan millionaire’s tart is legendary.

Fair warning: this isn’t a quick grab-and-go stop,  although coffee and cakes takeaway option. Pip’s is worth lingering over, and bookings are recommended for lunch and dinner. Evening service runs on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month (with a break in January and February). Card payments required.

Key details:

• Opening hours: Tues – Sat 10am – 3pm some evenings 
• Family-friendly: Toys, Wendy house in marquee, kids’ mud kitchen in garden
• Dog-friendly: Check when booking with venue
• Dietary options: 90% menu gluten-free, extensive vegan and vegetarian options
• What makes it special: Unique venue, organic farm-to-table ethos, award-winning
• Bookings: Recommended for lunch/dinner
• Nearby: Trading Post farm shop next door
• View on map

12. Monks Yard

Location: Horton Cross (Horton Manor grounds) TA19 9PY

Tucked into the beautiful grounds of historic Horton Manor, Monks Yard offers a wonderfully atmospheric stop with its high-ceilinged, industrial chic café space. This is one of those places that feels special—part café, part shopping destination, all wrapped up in a gorgeously restored setting.

The café serves locally sourced food with memorable breakfasts being a highlight, alongside fresh sandwiches, warming soups and panini. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed break, and if you have time to browse, the Nest & Nettle shop offers lovely homeware, gifts, and yarn.

Located just 650 meters from the Southfields roundabout where the A303 meets the A358, it couldn’t be more convenient. There’s free parking and pleasant outdoor spaces to enjoy in good weather.

Key details:

• Location: Just off A303/A358 Southfields roundabout (650m). TA19 9PY
• Parking: Free parking available
• What makes it special: Historic manor setting, industrial chic interior, locally sourced food
• Popular for: breakfasts, fresh sandwiches, soups
• Shopping: Nest & Nettle homeware and gift shop
• Note: Open: 9am to 3pm Monday – Thursday. Friday & Saturday 9am to 4pm, check ahead
• View on Map

13. Jordans Courtyard Cafe and Terrace

Location: Horton Cross, TA19 9PY

Right across the road from Monks Yard (you can visit both!), Jordans Courtyard is another gem in converted golden hamstone farm buildings. The café has a lovely terrace and serves a modern menu that ranges from breakfast burritos to flatbreads or a tagine, with tempting cakes.

Beyond the café, Jordans Courtyard has created a real destination with a yoga barn with  treatment rooms and boutique shops. The walled garden adds to the peaceful atmosphere.

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 3pm, with free parking and just moments from the A303 at Southfields roundabout, it’s perfectly positioned for a leisurely mid-journey break.

Key details:

• Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-3pm (closed Mondays)
• Location: Just off A303/A358 Southfields roundabout
• What makes it special: Beautiful converted farm buildings, walled garden and boutique shops
• View on Map

14. The Sidmouth Arms

Location: Upottery, Honiton, EX14 9PN

Just a mile from where the A30 meets the A303, The Sidmouth Arms is a characterful 17th-century village pub that’s been welcoming travelers for centuries. This traditional inn has a special connection to local brewing—it serves Otter Brewery beers, and the brewery itself is just 1.5 miles away.

The pub serves home-cooked food throughout the week with proper Sunday roasts being a highlight. Open all day, seven days a week, it’s reliable whenever you need it. Recent interior improvements have added extra seating space, and it’s exceptionally dog-friendly—hugely popular with dog walkers, so your four-legged friends will feel very welcome.

With EV charging available.  I can personally recommend this pub, a solid choice for anyone wanting a traditional pub experience just off the A303.

Key details:

• Opening hours: Open 7 days, all day
• Location: 1.5 miles from A30/A303 (lanes not suitable for caravans)
• EV charging: Available (2 x 22kWh)
• Dog-friendly: Very welcoming to dogs (popular with dog walkers)
• Food: Home-cooked meals, Sunday roasts
• View on Map

15. Otter Valley Ice Cream & Field Kitchen

Location: Monkton, EX14 9QN

Saving one of the best for last! Otter Valley Ice Cream is a fourth-generation family dairy farm that’s created something truly special. Their award-winning gelato-style ice cream is made from milk from their own cows, and it’s absolutely worth stopping for.

The modern timber-framed building features floor-to-ceiling glass offering panoramic views across the Otter Valley—it’s a stunning spot. Beyond the exceptional ice cream, they serve stone-baked sourdough pizzas, light lunches, breakfasts, and cakes. Friday evenings in summer extend to 8pm for pizza nights, which sounds absolutely lovely.

Fair warning: this place can get very busy, which is testament to how good it is! Dogs are welcome but must stay outside. Located just off the A30 near Honiton, it’s an easy detour and makes for a memorable final stop before reaching your destination.

Key details:

• Opening hours: seasonal hours vary so best to check first
• Friday pizza nights: Until 8pm (summer months)
• Location: Just off A30 near Honiton
• What makes it special: Award-winning farm-made ice cream, panoramic Otter Valley views, large outside space.
• Family-friendly: Very popular with families
• Dogs: Dogs outside only
• View on Map

Make Your A303 Journey Part of the Adventure

The A303 doesn’t have to be just about getting from A to B. With these 15 carefully chosen stops along the route, your journey to the South West can become part of the holiday itself. Whether you’re after a quick coffee and a leg stretch, a proper farm-to-table lunch, or somewhere the kids can burn off energy while you enjoy quality food, there’s something here for every type of traveller.

From the National Trust reliability of Stourhead to the quirky charm of Pip’s Railway Carriage, the independent spirit of Cartgate Lodge to the award-winning ice cream at Otter Valley, these stops showcase the best of what Somerset and the South West have to offer. Many are family-run businesses serving locally sourced food, and they’re all far more memorable than another anonymous service station.

So next time you’re heading down the A303, plan in a proper stop or two. Your journey—and your passengers—will thank you for it. Safe travels!

Planning your South West road trip? Bookmark this guide to the best A303 stops and make your journey as enjoyable as your destination.