Are petrol stations open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day?

Most Brits will likely be tucking into a breakfast of chocolate coins in their pyjamas this morning in preparation for their Christmas lunch - but others will be getting ready to head out onto the roads.

If you're off to visit family and friends or maybe heading off on holiday, you might be planning on hopping in the car. So while most businesses will be shutting up shop for the day, there will still be fuel stations, services and shops open to make sure you get to your destination safely.

In the UK, motorway service stations are required to be open 365 days a year for 24 hours a day, to ensure people don't get stranded on the motorways. So if you're heading off on a long journey, you'll likely be able to top up your tank on the way.

However, for motorists travelling on the main roads, there is no law that requires petrol stations to be open every day. The UK has hundreds of petrol stations that are open 24 hours a day and these will usually remain open over the Christmas period.

Most petrol stations that are located on main roads will remain open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, however some sites may choose to close so it is important to check there will be an open fuel station before you head off on your journey.

Some supermarkets will be closing their filling stations on Christmas Day. However, many will still offer the pay at pump fuel options, while stores are closed.

Esso

The vast majority of Esso petrol stations in the UK operate 24 hours a day and will remain open over the Christmas period. You can check the hours of individual filling stations here.

Shell

Most Shell petrol stations will remain open over the Christmas period, but some may close. You can find the opening hours of all of Shell's service