Self Catering Holiday Accommodation in Cornwall; happy holidays with a difference

<body> <BODY text=#800000 bgColor=#fff3bb link=#5e0002><FONT face=Verdana size=3> <p align=left><font size=4> Have a memorable <a href="http://www.railholiday.co.uk">self catering holiday in Cornwall</a> staying in a beautifully converted railway carriage. 3 wonderful places to stay close to Cornish railway stations promise happy holidays with excellent public transport access and plenty of trains to watch. Each let has its own enclosed and carefully landscaped garden, and guests at St Germans have access to ten acres of private woodland (while guests at Hayle can enjoy three miles of golden sand!) <br><br> We are a family company and we strive to go that little bit further to make our guests holidays special. Our conversions are carried out to a high standard and with a great deal of effort to retain the character of the carriages. All the fun of glamping, with the every comfort you'd wish for from a Cornish self-catering holiday.<br> </font> </p> <p align=center> <font face="Comic Sans MS" color="green">Why have another week in just another holiday cottage when you could stay somewhere truly different?<br>....."You stayed in a railway carriage? - Oh what fun!"</font> </p> <p align=center> <font face="Comic Sans MS" color="red"> </font> </p> </td></tr> <br><br> <centre><font size=4>Click on the images below for further information on each individual carriage.<br><br> <p align=left> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=20> <tr height=220> <td width=350 valign=top><a href="sk2.htm"><IMG width=350 src="sk2cathspic2.jpg" border=0></a></td> <td width=400 valign=top><font size=2> <STRONG><font size=3>The St Ives Bay SK2</font></STRONG> is a beautifully converted BR Mark 1 Corridor Coach adjacent to the platform at Hayle railway station on the coast of West Cornwall, UK, 5 miles from St Ives. A sympathetic conversion to <a href="http://www.railholiday.co.uk/sk2.htm">self catering holiday accommodation</a> means this carriage retains most of its original features. It is within easy walking distance of the golden sands of Hayle beach, Paradise Park and a wonderful array of Hayle restaurants. Public transport is good with both train and bus access easy. The carriage is divided into two holiday homes, each with its own kitchen, lounge/diner/bedroom, bathroom and bunkroom (the East End has an additional double bedroom). By booking both lets, it has the capacity to accommodate two families or larger groups of friends. On-site there are swings and the enclosed grounds around the carriage are spacious - plenty of room for den making as well as viewing the trains!</td></tr> <tr height=220> <td width=350 valign=top><a href="tpo.htm"><img src="tpo.jpg" align=center border=0></a></td> <td width=400 valign=top><font size=2><STRONG><font size=3>The Travelling Post Office</font></STRONG> is located on a railway siding adjoining the platform at the village station of St Germans, in South East Cornwall. This historic TPO was in the train hauled by City of Truro on its famous 100mph run. The picturesque village of St Germans is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the surounding estuary has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. For the rail fan, there are fine views of trains on the adjacent GWR Plymouth to Penzance main railway line. There is a good train service to Plymouth, Devon and west into Cornwall, making this an excellent base for enjoying day trips by train. Sleeping up to six, the Travelling Post Office is one of those perfect places to stay in Cornwall for families, friends and couples alike. With clerestory windows along the full length of the coach the feeling of light and space in this carriage is truly special.<BR><BR> <tr height=220> <td width=350 valign=top><a href="olv.htm"><img src="olvos5.jpg" align=center border=0></a></td> <td width=400 valign=top><font size=2><STRONG><font size=3>The Old Luggage Van</font></STRONG> is located on a delightful site at the western end of St Germans Station. The excellent train service from St Germans makes a trip to the Eden Project easy whilst the Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway, Looe, Polperro and the beautiful beaches of Whitsand Bay are within easy reach. The Old Luggage Van has been featured on the BBC Breakfast News, and in several national newspapers and magazines. Cosy and charming, it is perfect for couples or smaller families. The Old Luggage Van was Railholiday's first venture, and it was the success and popularity of this holiday home that inspired us to convert further coaches into self catering accommodation with a difference. </td></tr> </t body> </table> <p><font size=2> <br><br> <centre><font size=4>Railholiday on the BBC's "Great British Railway Journeys".<br> <br> <object width="400" height="324"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uQXyZFwVpzk&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uQXyZFwVpzk&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="324"></embed></object> <br><br> <center><FONT face=Verdana size=4>Visit our <a href="press.htm">Press</a> page to read more about our features in local and national publications.</font></center> <br><br> <tr><td><center><a href="http://www.cstn.org.uk/Page3.asp?id=49&level=0"><img src="coastlogo.jpg" width=700></a></td></tr><br><br> <tr><td><center><a href="http://www.greentraveller.co.uk/"><img src="greentraveller.jpg" width=700></a></td></tr><br><br> <center><FONT face=Verdana size=4>Visit us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Railholiday/87932127893">Facebook</a> for all the latest news and updates on our new projects.</font></center> <center> <br> <p><marquee><strong><font color="#FF0000" size="4" face="Trebuchet MS"> The Travelling Post Office is featured in epsiode 14 of the BBC's "Great British Railway Journeys" series. The St Ives Bay SK2 is featured on the Discovery Channel's "Amazing Conversions". This series of 5 programmes focused on the restoration of the carriage and is frequently repeated. Railholiday has also been featured on BBC Breakfast News and in The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Financial Times, Home Building and Renovating magazine and BBC Homes and Antiques. </font></strong> </marquee></p> <p align=center> <font face="Comic Sans MS" color="green">Railholiday is commited to being a sustainable tourism business. As part of this we offer a £25 cashback for guests arriving by train. Our carriages in St Germans have the added benefit of free broadband internet access.</font> <br><br> <a href="offers.htm" target="_new"><img src="offers_splash.jpg" hspace=30></a> <IMG src="Cornwall map.jpg" border=0 hspace=30> <a href="offers.htm" target="_new"><img src="offers_splash.jpg" hspace=30></a><BR><BR> <img src="credit_card_logos.jpg" width=300> <BR><BR> <tr height=120><td><center> <img src="port_eliot_round_room.jpg" alt="The famous Round Room at Port Eliot"></center> <br><br> <left><font size=2> <strong><a href="http://www.porteliot.co.uk">Port Eliot</a> house and grounds at St Germans opened to the public for the first time in 2008.</strong> Home to the Earl and Countess of St Germans, the house is one of the most magical and hidden stately homes in England. The Grade 1 listed house dates back as far as the 5th Century and was substantially altered by Sir John Soane at the turn of the 19th Century. The Eliots have lived at Port Eliot since the 16th Century and Peregrine St Germans is the 10th Earl of St Germans. <br><br> The house, park and gardens are open from March 1st until late June each year including the famous Round Room, pictured above, which boasts a 40ft mural by Robert Lenkiewicz. Port Eliot also houses several masterpieces by Sir Joshua Reynolds, including one if his important early works, Group Portait of the Eliot Family, painted in 1746. Works of art by Romney, Ramsey, Van Dyck and many of the Dutch Old Masters can also be seen as well as interesting pieces of museum quality furniture, including an early Boule armoire. <br><br> The Round Room at Port Eliot in St Germans features a 40ft mural by Robert Lenkiewicz. Covering the entire wall of the round room. The mural is in two halves, one side depicting death, destruction, insanity, unrequited love, and the apocalyptic end of the world, whilst the other reflects love, affection, friendship, harmony, proportion and consensus. Lenkiewicz called this work "The Riddle Mural" as concealed within the picture are various references to family skeletons, art history and cabalistic mysteries. Port Eliot also houses several masterpieces by Sir Joshua Reynolds, including one if his important early works, Group Portait of the Eliot Family, painted in 1746. Works of art by Romney, Ramsey, Van Dyck and many of the Dutch Old Masters can also be seen as well as interesting pieces of museum quality furniture, including an early Boule armoire. <TR><td><center><a href="http://www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk"><img src="national_camellia_collection.jpg" alt="Mount Edgcumbe, only 6 miles from The Old Luggage Van and The Travelling Post Office, is host to the National Camelia Collection. The mild Cornish climate and Mount Edgcumbe's stunning location surrounded on three sides by water at the entrance to Plymouth Sound ensures that these beautiful and diverse shrubs are at their best from early February. The extensive gardens can be reached by public transport from St Germans, are open all year and admission is free." width=700></a></td></tr> <tr><td><center><a href="http://www.taste-southeastcornwall.com"><img src="taste_festival_banner.jpg" width=700></a></td></tr> </tbody></table> </p> <p align=center> <A href="http://www.wurlitza.co.uk" target=blank><img src="wurlitza_banner_ad.jpg" width=500 alt="Wurlitza - the band for your wedding or function in Cornwall, Plymouth, Devon and SW England. Wurlitza perform an ecclectic mix of originals and covers ideal for weddings and functions. The band also play live music soundtracks to silent films."></a> <br><br> </p> <BR> <P align=center> <table border=2> <TBODY> <TR> <TH colspan=3 align=middle>SITE MAP - left click on the underlined Section or Sub Page to go to that page</TR> <TR> <TH align=middle width=200><font size=2>Section</th> <TH align=middle width=200><font size=2>Sub Pages</th> <TH align=middle width=400><font size=2>Details </font></th> </TR> <TR> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><a href="home.htm">Home Page</a> <TD align=middle width=200><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>The Railholiday self catering holiday accommodation home page</td> </tr> <TR> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="sk2.htm"><font size=1>St Ives Bay SK2</a> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>The St Ives Bay SK2 holiday carriage home page</td> </tr> <tr><TD align=middle width=200><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="hayle.htm"><font size=1>Hayle Area</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Info on Hayle and West Cornwall, St Ives, Penzance, Newquay, Truro, Mousehole, St Michaels Mount, Lands End, The Lizard, Falmouth, St Mawes and the Lost Gardens of Heligan </td></tr> <tr><TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="SK2gallery.htm"><font size=1>Gallery</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Pictures of the St Ives Bay SK2, Hayle and West Cornwall</td></tr> <TR><TD align=middle width=200><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="sk2tour.htm"><font size=1>Virtual Tour</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Have a look around the SK2 by way of a series of photos</td></tr> <tr><TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="sk2comments.htm"><font size=1>Visitors Comments</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Genuine extracts from the St Ives Bay SK2 visitors book</td></tr> <tr><TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1><a href="tpo.htm">Travelling Post Office</a> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>The Travelling Post Office holiday let home page</td></tr> <tr><TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></a></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="stgerm.htm"><font size=1>St Germans Area</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Info on St Germans and South East Cornwall, Whitsand Bay, Looe, Millendreath, Polperro, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Eden Project</td></tr> <tr><TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="photos2.htm"><font size=1>Gallery</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Pictures of the Travelling Post Office, St Germans station and village</td></tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="TPOtourA.htm"><font size=1>Virtual tour</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Have a look around the TPO by way of a series of photos</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="tpohistory.htm"><font size=1>History</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Some history of GWR Travelling Post Office 841</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><a href="olv.htm"><font size=1>The Old Luggage Van</a></td> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>The Old Luggage Van vacation carriage home page</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="stgerm.htm"><font size=1>St Germans Area</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Info on St Germans and South East Cornwall, Whitsand Bay, Looe, Millendreath, Polperro, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Eden Project </td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="photos2.htm"><font size=1>Gallery</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Pictures of the Old Luggage Van, St Germans station and village</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="OLVtour1.htm"><font size=1>Virtual Tour</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Have a look around the Old Luggage Van with a series of photos</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="olvcomments.htm"><font size=1>Visitors Comments</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Genuine extracts from the Old Luggage Van visitors book</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="walk_st_germans.htm"><font size=1>Walks from St Germans</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Selection of walks centred on the village</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><a href="prices.htm"><font size=1>Prices and Availability</a></td> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>This years prices and availability for all the holiday lets</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="pricesnext.htm"><font size=1>Next years prices</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Next years prices and availability for all the holiday lets</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><a href="book.htm"><font size=1>Booking</a></td> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>How to book your railway carriage holiday accommodation. You can book over the phone by card or by post with a cheque.</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="booking_form.htm"><font size=1>Booking Form</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Use this if you are sending payment by post.</td> </tr <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="booking_conditions.htm"><font size=1>Booking Conditions</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>The legal stuff</td> </tr <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><a href="cornwall.htm"><font size=1>Things to do</a></td> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Holiday planning ideas for making the most of your stay</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="cornwall1.htm"><font size=1>Rail and Heritage</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Railways and trains (standard, narrow gauge & model railways), heritage & attractions to engage the technically minded (prehistoric sites, Cornish mines, the cornish mining world heritage site, china clay extraction, lighthouses etc.)</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="cornwall2.htm"><font size=1>Houses & Gardens</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>National Trust, English Heritage and private houses, country estates, gardens and castles open to the public</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="cornwall3.htm"><font size=1>Other attractions</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Theme parks (Flambards, Creally) kids play areas, aquariums, animal attractions (Newquay and Paignton zoo, Paradise Park, National Seal Sanctuary etc.)</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="cornwall4.htm"><font size=1>Beaches and Outdoor Activities</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>The best beaches with info on facilities, access, family friendly, dog friendly plus walking, surfing, fishing, canoeing, golf, sailing, diving, karting etc.</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="DTBT1.htm"><font size=1>Day Trips by Train</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Some possible itineries for days out by train in cornwall</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="fishing.htm"><font size=1>Fishing</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Places to fish near our holiday carriages</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><font size=1></td> <TD align=middle width=200><a href="walking.htm"><font size=1>Walking</a></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Places to walk near our holiday carriages</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><a href="transport.htm"><font size=1>Getting Around</a></td> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Public transport info; trains, buses, taxis, ferries etc.</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><a href="news.htm"><font size=1>News</a></td> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>Late availability deals, special offers, promotions and last minute discounts + Railholiday news and projects</td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><a href="links.htm"><font size=1>Links</a></td> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>A massive resource with sections on; Cornish and south west railway, environmental, railway sites around the world, Fotopic and other rail photography sites, history and heritage, holiday and charter train, mail by rail, model railway, alternative places to stay including self-catering cottages, camp sites, caravan parks, bed & breakfast, guest houses, farmhouse b&b, hotels and holiday parks, preserved railways, railway search engines and groups. </td> </tr> <tr> <TD align=middle width=200 ><a href="contact.htm"><font size=1>Contact</a></td> <TD align=middle width=200><font size=1><br></td> <TD align=middle width=400><font size=1>How to contact Railholiday</td> </tr> </t body> </table> <p><font size=2> See our news page for late availability deals, special offers, promotions and last minute discounts. If you want to visit cornwall but what we have to offer doesn't suit you or we are booked up, try the accommodation section of our links page for alternative places to stay including self-catering cottages, camp sites, caravan parks, bed & breakfast, guest houses, farmhouse b&b, hotels and holiday parks that we can recommend. <br><br> <A href="http://www.wurlitza.co.uk" target=blank>"Wurlitza - the band for your wedding or function in Cornwall, Plymouth, Devon and SW England. Wurlitza perform an ecclectic mix of originals and covers ideal for weddings and functions. The band also play live music soundtracks to silent films."</a> </p>  <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> var sc_project=400462; var sc_partition=2; var sc_invisible=1; </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/frames.js"></script><noscript><a href="http://www.statcounter.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://c3.statcounter.com/counter.php?sc_project=400462&java=0&invisible=1" alt="hit counter" border="0"></a> </noscript>  </t body> </table> Self catering holiday accommodation for rail fans in cornwall, uk. </body>