The Carriage Ely

• Sleeps: 4 or 2 per carriage
• Bedrooms: 1 per carriage
• Bathrooms: 1 per carriage
• Minimum stay: 1-2 nights

A detail-rich labour of love from owners Andrea and Richard, The Carriage Ely is an elegantly-restored railway carriage that once travelled from Penzance to Paddington. Home to two glorious havens for couples and families, these days you’ll find the carriage peacefully secluded amongst picture-perfect Cambridgeshire countryside.

You’ll feel as though you’ve left the ‘real’ world far behind, though a mere five-minute drive will lead you into bustling city of Ely. But of course, that’s only if you can bear to disembark!

Andrea and Richard restored their beloved carriage themselves, with a little help from trusted builders. Their enduring aim was to retain as many of its original features as they possibly could, for a comforting sense of historic charm and an authentic taste of first-class luxury.

Sleeping up to four guests, Penzance is impeccably sleek and stylish, with a beautiful Art Deco-inspired living space and a plush kingsize bed dressed in high-quality linens and a feather down duvet (a sofa bed is also available on request).

Gaze out of the window – at glorious green scenery that won’t pass by in a flash! – from your dining compartment, cleverly furnished with the original train seats. Or catch the sun’s lingering rays out in your private garden area, complete with a sheltered four-person hot tub, and chat until the stars come out.

Paddington, meanwhile, is an ideal escape for a romantic couple with a well-behaved dog in tow. Rich in rustic luxury, the comfy, cushion-festooned bed showcases soothing countryside views to wake up to each morning, and quirky vintage-style furnishings include fun dog-themed elements.

Once you’ve settled in, unwind in your fully-enclosed garden over a well-deserved glass of wine. Your sheltered hot tub is perfect for a sunset-watching treat later on, no matter what the weather happens to be doing.

At a glance

• A former GWR railway carriage that once travelled from Penzance to Paddington, elegantly restored and secluded amongst peaceful Cambridgeshire countryside.
• There are two opulent, individually-styled retreats to choose from. Penzance sleeps up to 4 guests and Paddington up to 2, with private self-contained facilities.
• One well-behaved dog is also permitted aboard Paddington, for a small additional fee.
• Each retreat boasts its own garden area (Paddington’s is fully enclosed) with comfy furniture and a hot tub for stargazing.
• A five-minute drive will take you into the bustling city of Ely, and there are plenty of walks to be taken – and friendly pubs to visit! – in the surrounding area.

Features

• Adults Only
• Dog Friendly
• Hot Tubs

More information

Whichever haven you choose, you’ll have free Wi-Fi and a Smart TV for in-train entertainment, kitchen facilities for on-board catering, and a shower cubicle for freshening up. With towels provided – including hot-tub towels – you can pack perfectly light, too.

What to do now? Well, there’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book you just never seem to find time for at home… especially when you’ve got a sublime garden to read it in, against a soundtrack of birdsong and gently rustling leaves.

If you’d rather get out and explore, there are plenty of beautiful country walks waiting to be taken in the surrounding area, starting right from your door. It’s a wonderful way to work up an appetite for a mouth-watering Thai meal, served in one of the friendly village pubs close by, before another cosy evening spent aboard your unique carriage retreat.

Things to note

One-night stays may be possible – please ask. Early check-in is available for a small additional fee.