Take it easy at this unique and tranquil getaway.Our Great Western Railway ‘Toad’ Brake Van dates from 1940 and was one of hundreds which ran on the main line between 1894 and 1968. Ours has been sympathetically converted into a smart, contemporary home from home, with a grandstand view of passing steam trains.
The nickname ‘Toad’ comes from the Great Western Railway’s telegraph code for brake vans, which were attached to the rear of goods trains to allow the guard to apply the brakes where needed and ensure that the train made safe passage. The large ‘Swindon’ sign on the sides denotes its home base.
Lovingly converted with lots of period details, the cosy Toad benefits from full insulation, double glazing and heating.
It also boasts an en-suite WC and shower, double bedroom, fitted kitchen with induction hob and dining area, Freesat TV and an elevated balcony just 20ft away from the station platform with lovely views over the Rother Valley towards Kent.
The Toad sleeps two adults with allocated parking directly outside.
You will have full access to the entire space
We will be available should you need us.
We are located in the beautiful Rother Valley on the Kent and East Sussex border in Northiam.
Located near Bodiam, Tenterden, Rye and Hastings, the carriages provide a fantastic base for you to explore the local countryside and coast with attractions and activities to suit everyone.
The carriages are situated within Northiam Steam Railway Station, a working station on the Kent and East Sussex Railway line. You don’t even need to leave the carriages to get the full railway experience as the steam trains will pull up at the station just over 20ft away.
We have painstakingly given some wonderful, care-worn rolling stock an exciting new life as modern, clean, inviting bases for you to relax in. We carry out as much of the work ourselves as we can, transforming the interiors into unique quirky spaces. The exteriors are painted in period colours and we retain as many original features as possible.
We recommend that you arrive by car and there is plenty of parking at the property. The nearest mainline train stations are Rye and Hastings with connecting buses to Northium.
Anyone who travelled by train from the 1950s to the 1980s will be very familiar with our Mark One coach. Thousands were built by British Railways complete with their trademark slam doors and sliding window vents, and several still run on our Kent & East Sussex Railway neighbours.
‘Plum and Custard’ is just one of the nicknames given to the cream and maroon livery for coaching stock in the early days of British Railways. Our coach was originally a restaurant car on the London Midland Region, serving meals and drinks for both first and second class passengers and seating 23 diners.
This beautifully-converted railway carriage caters for up to six people for the perfect getaway. It has two double bedrooms (one with an en-suite), a family bathroom with a bath and shower, a bunk bedroom for kids, a full kitchen with induction hob, oven, microwave and fridge freezer and an open plan lounge and dining area with a TV and DVD player.
Gas central heating will keep you nice and warm in the winter months and a complimentary welcome hamper is provided too. A travel cot and a high chair can also be provided for the little ones.
Allocated parking for up to three cars is available directly outside.
You will have full access to the entire space
We will be available should you need us.
We are located in the beautiful Rother Valley on the Kent and East Sussex border in Northiam.
Located near Bodiam, Tenterden, Rye and Hastings, the carriages provide a fantastic base for you to explore the local countryside and coast with attractions and activities to suit everyone.
The carriages are situated within Northiam Steam Railway Station, a working station on the Kent and East Sussex Railway line. You don’t even need to leave the carriages to get the full railway experience as the steam trains will pull up at the station just over 20ft away.
We have painstakingly given some wonderful, care-worn rolling stock an exciting new life as modern, clean, inviting bases for you to relax in. We carry out as much of the work ourselves as we can, transforming the interiors into unique quirky spaces. The exteriors are painted in period colours and we retain as many original features as possible.
We recommend that you arrive by car and there is plenty of parking at the property. The nearest mainline train stations are Rye and Hastings with connecting buses to Northium.
Get lost in the beauty and history of Winchelsea Town and countryside in this charming private studio located just a 15 minutes’ walk from Winchelsea Train Station, and only 33km away from Ashford Eurostar International.
This converted outbuilding turned 1-bedroom home has a cosy living room with a TV and range of entertainment, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a microwave, and 1 bedroom with a double bed and en-suite bathroom. Towels and bed linen are offered in the holiday home. For added privacy, the accommodation features a private entrance.
The spacious private garden and patio are perfect for soaking up the morning sun before setting off on adventures, or for enjoying a peaceful glass of wine and some alfresco dining during warm evenings.
Beamed ceilings and cosy ambient lighting, combined with the quiet and tranquil local setting, make for a perfect calming getaway to relax and reconnect with one’s self, one’s partner or nature itself.
With breathtaking views and so much to explore and do in the local area , you can be as adventurous or as roaming as you like during the days and evenings, knowing a peaceful and re-energising sleep await you.
During your stay look out for historic buildings dating back to the 13th century, cobbled streets and panoramic views that you really can’t miss thanks to Winchelsea’s hilltop location. The heart of Winchelsea is the 13th century church. The town is known as being the smallest in the country, with panoramic views in all directions. When you book with us you should expect a quiet and tranquil stay whilst being in the centre of a Town. Winchelsea also has a lovely pub & local shop.
The town boasts a variety of walking trails to allow you to explore the best that 1066 county has to offer, including the grace of old castles, ancient walls and other remnants of history. Farmland and idyllic countryside views give way to a beautiful pebble beach, so flat you can see for miles. Explore by sea with kitesurfing and boat hire for those with an adventurous spirit, or stick by the locals and opt for a tour of local vineyards or a tour of local history.
Rye is five minutes away, with shops – restaurants and pubs.
Winchelsea train station is around a 15 minute walk down the hill…
Buses also stop regularly in the town centre – one minute from the property.
Parking is ample on the street outside.
Taxis are also available to take you to Winchelsea from either Winchelsea, Rye or Hastings stations.
Guest access
When you book with us you will have access to all areas of the Gazebo & to the garden/patio, which backs onto the Gazebo. Perfect for sunny nights with an evening meal or chilled bottle of wine.
Other things to note
Bed linen & Towels provided
Please note this is a Non Pet friendly and Non Smoking property.
The House in Hastings sits majestically on one of the town’s most historic streets, Croft Road on West Hill. Whether a group of friends, couples or several families, the House in Hastings is a stunning Regency home that’s simply made for unwinding. Your very own home-tel, every detail is taken care with Ren toiletries in all the bathrooms, 400 thread count sheets, an integrated music system, smart TV, walk-in drench showers and roll-top baths. Not to mention the most spectacular views in the town.
Just five minutes from the beach, and with triple bay windows, the House in Hastings spans five floors, sleeps ten guests in five bedrooms with sea view, with four bathrooms and two further cloakrooms.
The current owners have spent two years restoring this home to its former glory. There are working fireplaces, spectacular vintage chandeliers and ample entertaining spaces with a sitting room, cinema room and dining room easily seating 10 plus additional outdoor dining space on The Terrace for a further 12.
The double reception room with sea views features a pair of custom made velvet sofas, a working Georgian marble fire place and a spectacular 1940s brass chandelier. A 20th-century vintage chrome shelving unit (home to a collection of vintage French Dome du Marriage) finishes off the room.
Connected to the Sitting Room, The Screening Room boasts an enormous, emerald green velvet Knoll sofa flanked by a pair of fine antique Georgian wing back chairs facing the working marble fireplace. A HD TV projector, drop-down screen and surround sound create a cinematic atmosphere for you to enjoy your favourite movie or TV show from Apple TV and Netflix. (NB: guests must have their own account to use these facilities). Music too can be synchronised between the two living rooms, with integrated speakers and a Sonos sound system.
The focal point of the kitchen is an exquisite 18th-century oak refectory table. The kitchen comes fully equipped with an array of utensils and culinary gadgets, catering to every cook’s desires. Prepare meals for any event effortlessly using the 1.2m Smeg range cooker, complete with twin ovens, a grill, a pizza stone, six gas burners, and a griddle. A comprehensive collection of cooking tools and cutlery is stored in stainless steel drawers beneath the spacious antique butler’s sink, nestled within a Carrara marble countertop.
Within the dresser, you’ll find a selection of classic Volcanic Le Creuset cookware, encompassing saucepans and casseroles, accompanied by various serving dishes and platters. Complementing these are vintage crockery pieces from Poole Pottery and Wedgwood, alongside an entire monogrammed dinner service branded with the ‘House in Hastings’ insignia. For added convenience, the sizeable antique glass-fronted dresser houses a Kenwood food processor and blender, while a Fisher Paykel twin-drawer dishwasher simplifies the management of group dining.
Connected to the main kitchen, the Scullery boasts a preparation area, a butler’s sink, and an expansive floor-to-ceiling storage space for pantry essentials.
The cloakroom on the 1st floor is large enough to store boots and coats after a long beach walk.
Facing the front terrace, which offers vistas of Hastings Old Town and the sea beyond, the impressive dining room features an exquisite 1970s French brass and glass chandelier. The centerpiece is a round red dining table accompanied by coordinating chairs, generously accommodating up to 10 people. Atop the table sits a sizable glass lazy Susan, perfect for accommodating large gatherings. During colder months, a Charnwood stove that burns logs provides warmth and comfort to guests.
Enhancing the room’s character, a vintage shelving unit proudly displays the House’s assortment of model boats and ships, adding a distinctive touch to the ambiance.
The magnificent Admiral Suite takes up the entire second floor with a superior super king size custom-made sleigh bed dressed with faux mink throws 400 thread count grey Egyptian cotton sheets. Wake up, open the curtains and watch the sun rise over the sea. A pair of vintage armchairs set in the huge bay window offer arguably the best views out over the English Channel whilst statement design features include a stunning French 1940’s chandelier, bespoke rug and working fireplace. The large en suite is made for long pampering sessions with its chaise longue and roll-top bath. Alternatively, feel invigorated after using the walk-in drench shower.
The third floor is home to The Captain’s Room, a west-facing ensuite twin or double room. Watch the light dance over the sea while luxuriating in the large roll-top bath set in the bay window, before heading into the super-king sized bed (can be split to make a twin). The mirror ball shower room sits adjacent to this room.
A king size double bedroom illuminated by 20th-century chandelier lighting provides a fairy tale view of a unique living wall trailing with fern and ivy. The mirror ball shower room sits adjacent to this room.
The Cabin Room sits at the top of the house with a super king-sized bed that can be split to make a pair of twins. The room is fully panelled whilst stunning features include a 1940’s dressing console complete with brass band chair and a nautical needlepoint collection. The adjacent large bath and shower room includes a vintage roll-top bath and walk-in drench shower.