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Markham Filling Station — a closed road, an empty tank, and 63 years on the pump

2026-07-31

A closed road near Bristol sent me by chance to Markham Filling Station — handwritten ESSO FUEL sign, an 80-year-old attendant who’s been on the pump for 63 years, and a proper old-fashioned shop.

31 July 2026 · 20:52 One of the things I love most about being part of an escape room business with locations around the country is that every now and then you stumble across somewhere you never would have visited otherwise. For the last few days I’d been driving all over the place on my own, often not pulling into a Travelodge until one or two o’clock in the morning before getting back on the road again a few hours later. On the way home, a closed road completely changed the route. Really glad it did. It sent me entirely by chance past Markham Filling Station, just outside Bristol. Typically… was running on empty… and had no choice really but to stop. What a quirky find. At first glance it doesn’t even look like your typical petrol station. There are no giant illuminated corporate signs or slick branding. In fact, the main sign simply had “ESSO FUEL” handwritten underneath it. Pulling onto the forecourt an elderly gentleman sitting on a stool inside a little white booth jumped up and wandered out as I pulled up. He picked up the pump and filled the car. He’s 80 years old. And he’s been doing exactly the same job for 63 years. Meanwhile, his wife was inside running the shop. Walkin…

Topics: TravelBusiness adviceReflectionEscape rooms

Matthew Eaves — escape room franchise founder, operator, and writer. Also: franchise, posts, contact.