Station - Saloon coach. A couple bought a disused railway station and renovated a coach into a 1960s vintage retreat – where train enthusiasts can stay for £202-a-night ($255 USD). PHOTO BY ROWDEN MILL STATION/SWNS
A couple bought a disused railway station and renovated a coach into a 1960s vintage retreat – where train enthusiasts can stay for £202-a-night ($255 USD).
Owners Cecilia, 50, and her husband Paul, 60, purchased Rowden Mill Station, in Bromyard, England, after searching for a year to find a unique location to build a vacation business.
The once derelict station – which closed in 1953 – was renovated by a family before Cecilia and Paul moved in, but the couple updated a building and parcel office ready for guests.
After buying an 18-liter saloon railway coach, they refurbished the interior in a vintage style and fitted it with 1960s furniture – opening for vacationers in July 2022.
Cecilia, part-owner of the Rowden Mill Station, from Bredenbury, Herefordshire, said: “We were certainly looking for somewhere with character.
“Finding the station was amazing.
“We’re caretakers of the place.”
Cecilia and Paul stumbled across the railway station in 2017 and couldn’t believe their luck.
They spent a year renovating what was originally a parcel office and the station building where passengers waited for trains.
The station still has the existing canopy and guests enter the station building through what was the booking office.
The ladies’ waiting area is now a main bedroom, with a bunk room off to the side.
In October 2020, Cecilia and Paul couldn’t believe their luck when a Saloon Coach DB 999508 came up for sale.
Cecilia said: “We couldn’t resist.
“It came back as an empty shell.”
The couple spent 21 months restoring the coach – which had been painted on the outside but had been gutted inside.
The pair sourced antique furniture to be in keeping with the history of the coach – which had been used by railway engineers.
The coach sleeps four guests who can stay for £405 for two nights ($510 USD) and also includes a £100 ($126) deposit.
The station also has a studio space for two called the parcel office – which can be booked for £205 ($258) for a weekend.
The station building sleeps four from £405 for two nights.
Cecilia and Paul are also renovating a GWR brake van for further guests.
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
Edited by Saba Fatima and Asad Ali
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