Does anyone know if the transport cafe is still open near the A2/M2 at Gravesend?
Went over the QE2 bridge just before 6am the other day and then did the loop “round the back” via that Hilton hotel and big ASDA before rejoining the A2. Had 15 min. break across the road from the cafe but no signs of life inside. Have they changed the opening hours or has it closed down?? Thought they used to open for business around 6-6.30am??
The Merry Chest? Haven’t heard that it had closed.
Nell’s was open last week when i passed it,just follow the truck paking signs.
That’s the place!! Maybe they were just a bit late opening up or something?? In the end we cracked on down to the docks at Sheerness and found a cafe there.
Nells Cafe still open as of last week when i stopped there
I think the OP is talking about the Merry Chest Rather than Nell’s.
Nell’s quite often has a banner displayed outside saying “The rich and famous eat here”. That’s because you have to be rich to eat there. 
Harry Monk:
I think the OP is talking about the Merry Chest Rather than Nell’s.Nell’s quite often has a banner displayed outside saying “The rich and famous eat here”. That’s because you have to be rich to eat there.
Indeed so H! I stopped eating at Nells when I discovered the Merry Chest. Used to
get my tea there then trundle down to Canterbury for a night on the lash. 
Harry Monk:
I think the OP is talking about the Merry Chest Rather than Nell’s.Nell’s quite often has a banner displayed outside saying “The rich and famous eat here”. That’s because you have to be rich to eat there.
Hiya harry i stopped overnight at nell,s one time, went in for brekki.wow it was about £5.50 and
i,ve been retired 10 years. i was on good pay but not that good. it was the merry chest everafter.
John
i once gave a driver a lift from Dover to the top of the last hill on the A2 before it goes downhill and joins the M25, he was going into London on A2 i was going thru Dartford. There used to be a 24hr cafe there in a quite a big sized portakabin. It was basically sat on the hard shoulder. I never stopped in there, never felt safe with all those artics flying over the hill, way way too close for comfort!
Food is better at the Merry Chest than at Nell’s, and the Merry Chest charges transport cafe prices whereas Nell’s charges Motorway Service Area prices.;
For anyone visiting the area, take the exit immediately after the toll booths at the Dartford Bridge, go through Crossways Business Park and make your way back towards the A2, the Merry Chest is on the right, on the slip road a few hundred yards before you get back on the A2, Swanscombe, Northfleet sort of thing.
Harry Monk:
Food is better at the Merry Chest than at Nell’s, and the Merry Chest charges transport cafe prices whereas Nell’s charges Motorway Service Area prices.;For anyone visiting the area, take the exit immediately after the toll booths at the Dartford Bridge, go through Crossways Business Park and make your way back towards the A2, the Merry Chest is on the right, on the slip road a few hundred yards before you get back on the A2, Swanscombe, Northfleet sort of thing.
You’ve got it Harry!! I just didn’t quite know how to explain exactly where it was!!
Here’s a few snaps from the trip “darn sarf”…
i hope them Mercs were being sent back to where they came from.