One of the remaining examples of modernist architect Patrick Gwynne’s work can still be found at Burtonwood Services on the M62 near Liverpool, contrary to claims that all of his service station designs have been lost. While one of the two distinctive pavilions originally constructed at the site no longer exists, the surviving structure offers a rare glimpse into Gwynne’s architectural approach for roadside facilities.

Opened in 1974, the Burtonwood Services were designed to stand out in a predominantly flat, featureless landscape. Gwynne’s plan featured two polygonal pavilions set atop raised mounds beside the motorway, intended to catch the attention of drivers despite the absence of commercial signage—a common restriction at the time. The buildings’ unique conical roofs, initially proposed to be painted a bright lipstick red to enhance visibility, ultimately were clad in copper sheeting after intervention by the Royal Fine Art Commission. Over time, the copper has developed a rich verdigris patina. The roof design served both aesthetic and practical purposes, concealing chimneys and water tanks while signaling the presence of services to motorists.

Today, only the northern pavilion remains, resembling a flying saucer poised for takeoff. The southern pavilion was demolished in 2008, though its former location is still apparent through satellite imagery. The survival of this structure is significant given the historical context of the services and Gwynne’s broader work.

Economic challenges in the Liverpool area at the time of the facility’s opening limited the success of the services and contributed to the cancellation of another Gwynne project. Proposed designs for service stations on the M11 near Chigwell in Essex—featuring low, circular buildings with a streamlined “Moderne” aesthetic—never advanced beyond the sketch phase. These plans, documented in architectural literature, offer insight into what might have been a distinctive addition to Britain’s motorway network.

The Burtonwood pavilion’s persistence provides a tangible link to Gwynne’s vision and the modernist ethos applied to infrastructure often overlooked in architectural history. While parts of Gwynne’s service station legacy have been lost, the surviving pavilion stands as a reminder of his innovative design philosophy.