Have a memorable self catering holiday in Cornwall with a difference staying in a beautifully converted and well appointed railway carriage. There are two carriages in St Germans and one in Hayle, with each carriage surrounded by its own enclosed and carefully landscaped garden. Guests at St Germans have access to ten acres of private woodland, while guests at Hayle have the benefit of half an acre of formal and wild gardens. Both the Old Luggage Van and the Travelling Post Office are only a few minutes walk from the beautiful Port Eliot Estate (open from March to late June) with it's wonderful Port Eliot Festival in July and annual dog show in May.

Holiday 
Cornwall this Spring

As a family company we strive to go that little bit further to make our holidays special, which is why so many of our guests return. 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, but with every comfort you'd wish for from a Cornish self-catering holiday; a unique holiday home stay. We pride ourselves on our green ethos and offer an environmentally friendly holiday that won't cost the earth. All carriages are in locations of natural and historical interest. You can also see what we do on Facebook.

Why have just another holiday cottage in Cornwall when you could have a unique holiday with a difference?
....."You stayed in a railway carriage? - Oh what fun!"....


The Old Luggage Van is located on a delightful site at the western end of St Germans Station. The Old Luggage Van has been featured on the BBC Breakfast News, and in several national newspapers and magazines. Quirky, cosy and charming, it nestles in a garden filled with spring bulbs and camellias and is perfect for couples or individuals. 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. In November 2011 The Old Luggage Van enjoyed a complete makeover, pictures of which can be seen on Facebook and it now has a double bedroom and woodburning stove. For more please visit our Old Luggage Van page.
The perfect place for a romantic break
Self catering holiday cottage in Cornwall

Click on the images for more on each carriage
The St Ives Bay SK2 is a beautifully converted 1950's Corridor Coach in the town of Hayle, West Cornwall, UK, 5 miles from St Ives. With most of its original features intact, this coach offers a real nostalgia trip back to the glory days of steam and is within easy walking distance of golden sands and fine restaurants and pubs. The carriage is divided into two holiday homes, sleeping 6 and 8 giving the option of accommodating two families or larger groups of friends. There are swings for the children and the enclosed grounds are spacious - plenty of room for den making as well as viewing the trains! Book the and East End outside of school holidays and add the West End for only £120 - allowing plenty of extra space for family and friends.
The Travelling Post Office nestles beside the village station in picturesque St Germans, in SE Cornwall. Featured on the BBC's Great British Railway Journeys, this Victorian coach is a real gem; Clerestory windows along the full length of the coach offer a really special feeling of light and space, while retaining the cosiness of a wooden coach. There is a good train service to Plymouth, Devon and west into Cornwall, making this an excellent base for enjoying day trips, and for rail fans there are great views of the line. Children love the bunks with the tiny windows, and the enclosed garden is a mass of roses in the summer. The Travelling Post Office will sleep up to six.
All carriages provide easy access to the Cornish Mining World Heritage SiteThe Old Luggage Van and the Travelling Post Office are listed by Visit England. We have not yet applied to have the St Ives Bay SK2 listed Railholiday is accredited by the SE Cornwall Tourist Association for our efforts towards sustainable tourism
Railholiday featured in the BBC's "Great British Railway Journeys" with Michael Portillo. Visit our Press page to read more about our features in local and national publications.



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.
Visit our GREEN PAGE to find out how we're commited to helping the environment.
Railholiday is commited to being a sustainable tourism business. As part of this we offer £25 cashback for guests arriving by public transport. (£10 for holidays under £200)

Want to how we're rated? We do have some reviews on Trip Advisor; The Old Luggage Van and The Travelling Post Office in St Germans, and The St Ives Bay SK2 in Hayle.



Find us by searching for Railholiday on Facebook for all the latest news and updates on our new projects. Why not become a fan, and be among the first to catch photos and progress reports - and you can do it from the comfort of your railway carriage! Our carriages in St Germans have the added benefit of free broadband internet access.

Three carriages

Which carriage should I choose?

All carriages are suited for walking and outdoor activities. Sited beside Cornish stations, public transport access is excellent - for rail enthusiasts there are always plenty of trains to enjoy, but not so many you won't enjoy a full nights sleep. The St Ives Bay SK2 in Hayle, is a great place for industrial heritage discovery or a bucket and spade holiday, with the advantage of North coast surf and surf schools on the doorstep. In the far west of Cornwall, Hayle is home to Richard Trevithick's steam engine heritage, and an abundance of winter birdlife. There are numerous family fun parks and attractions within easy reach, and the artistic town of St Ives is just around the bay. An added attraction is the size of the coach - allowing enough space for two groups, perfect for all the family

St Germans is a great place to escape the crowds. Only a few miles from the fishing villages of Looe and Polperro, and the beautiful harbours of Kingsand and Cawsand, this unspoilt gem of a location is perfect for couples and smaller family groups. For children there is a play area on site, and an excellent village playpark. Port Eliot, recently used for the filming of a Rosamunde Pilcher novel, with its annual festival and beautiful spring gardens, is on the doorstep. The Travelling Post Office is most suited to families or groups of four, but will accommodate up to six. The cosy Old Luggage Van currently has accommodation for up to four, but from November will be converted to sleep couples or singles only.

For those with limited mobility, a ramp can be put up beside the Travelling Post Office, and a mobility scooter can be provided on request. We have a smoke alarm for the deaf, on request, and guide dogs are free. Autistic children and adults are very welcome. Please let us know of any special needs you have, and we will be able to advise on suitability.

We are currently working on a big project that will see the conversion of Queen Victoria's GWR coach, and a brake third coach designed especially for wheelchair users. Follow our progress on Facebook.

Holiday in Cornwall this January
The famous Round Room at Port Eliot


Port Eliot house and grounds at St Germans opened to the public for the first time in 2008. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.


SITE MAP - left click on the underlined Section or Sub Page to go to that page
Section Sub Pages Details
Home Page
The Railholiday self catering holiday accommodation home page
St Ives Bay SK2
The St Ives Bay SK2 holiday carriage home page
Hayle Area 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
Gallery Pictures of the St Ives Bay SK2, Hayle and West Cornwall
Virtual Tour Have a look around the SK2 by way of a series of photos
Visitors Comments Genuine extracts from the St Ives Bay SK2 visitors book
Travelling Post Office
The Travelling Post Office holiday let home page
St Germans Area Info on St Germans and South East Cornwall, Whitsand Bay, Looe, Millendreath, Polperro, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Eden Project
Gallery Pictures of the Travelling Post Office, St Germans station and village
Virtual tour Have a look around the TPO by way of a series of photos
History Some history of GWR Travelling Post Office 841
The Old Luggage Van
The Old Luggage Van vacation carriage home page
St Germans Area Info on St Germans and South East Cornwall, Whitsand Bay, Looe, Millendreath, Polperro, Fowey, Mevagissey, and the Eden Project
Gallery Pictures of the Old Luggage Van, St Germans station and village
Virtual Tour Have a look around the Old Luggage Van with a series of photos
Visitors Comments Genuine extracts from the Old Luggage Van visitors book
Walks from St Germans Selection of walks centred on the village
Prices and Availability
This years prices and availability for all the holiday lets
Booking
How to book your railway carriage holiday accommodation. You can book over the phone by card or by post with a cheque.
Booking Form Use this if you are sending payment by post.
Booking Conditions The legal stuff
Things to do
Holiday planning ideas for making the most of your stay
Rail and Heritage 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.)
Houses & Gardens National Trust, English Heritage and private houses, country estates, gardens and castles open to the public
Other attractions Theme parks (Flambards, Creally) kids play areas, aquariums, animal attractions (Newquay and Paignton zoo, Paradise Park, National Seal Sanctuary etc.)
Beaches and Outdoor Activities The best beaches with info on facilities, access, family friendly, dog friendly plus walking, surfing, fishing, canoeing, golf, sailing, diving, karting etc.
Day Trips by Train Some possible itineries for days out by train in cornwall
Fishing Places to fish near our holiday carriages
Walking Places to walk near our holiday carriages
Getting Around
Public transport info; trains, buses, taxis, ferries etc.
News
Late availability deals, special offers, promotions and last minute discounts + Railholiday news and projects
Links
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.
Contact
How to contact Railholiday

See our offers 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.