The Old Railway Station hotel Petworth Sussex

The Old Railway Station in Petworth in Sussex is within 42 miles of south London and is set within the former train station and luxury Pullman carriages.

Guests who stay at the hotel can sleep in luxury Pullman carriages that were once the epitome of luxury at the height of their use in the 1920s, now that they have been converted into cosy sleeping quarters.

Guests who stay at the hotel can sleep in luxury Pullman carriages that were once the epitome of luxury at the height of their use in the 1920s. (Image: The Old Railway Station)

The hotel also offers an accessible room on the ground floor of the former station building and a further room in the upstairs of the former station. 

Now owned by self-professed ‘train fanatics’ Jennie and Blair Hudson, the hotel offers rooms to accommodate 10 bookings and makes for an idyllic spot for anyone with a love of trains and nostalgia.

The hotel makes for an idyllic spot for anyone with a love of trains and nostalgia. (Image: The Old Railway Station)

Jennie explained: "We love art deco, we love 20s, we love nostalgia, we just love first class, all that sort of thing.

"Everything's made of wood, The building's made of wood, the carriages are made of wood, my husband is a carpenter. 

“So we just thought it's just perfect for us. So we've just thrown ourselves into it and it's just been wonderful.“

The station, first built in 1859, operated on the London and Brighton South Coast Railway until it closed in 1966. (Image: The Old Railway Station)

The station, first built in 1859, was a functioning station operating on the London and Brighton South Coast Railway up until 1966 when it closed

After falling into disrepair, it was eventually converted into a bed and breakfast in the late 80s before it was later bought by the couple and turned into a boutique hotel following a trip there.

After one trip the couple “fell in love with the place” and upon discovering that it was up for sale they decided to “take a leap” and make it theirs.

After one trip the couple “fell in love with the place” and decided to “take a leap” and make it theirs. (Image: The Old Railway Station)

Jennie said: “We live local to Petworth and one day we took a drive and were really curious about the place and decided to take a look.

“After having some tea and cake we just fell in love with the place and its old-world Agatha Christie charm, it reminded us of our honeymoon in Burgh Island in Devon which had links to the writer and we just felt something click

“When we found this place, this felt like this was our Burgh Island.”

The station was converted into a bed and breakfast in the late 80s before it was later bought by the couple and turned into a boutique hotel. (Image: The Old Railway Station)

Since taking ownership of the business in 2018, the couple have expanded the hotel to now feature four train carriages with two rooms in each, and are in the process of converting a further Pullman carriage into a luxury dining car, which is anticipated to open by July.

Guests can stay in one of six of their Classic Pullman Rooms housing up to two people or upgrade to a King Pullman Room offering more space.

Each carriage is decorated in a different style to reflect the different carriages, with guests able to order a breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner to their rooms.

Each carriage is decorated in a different style. (Image: The Old Railway Station)

Jennie added that she believed that The Old Station hotel owned the “highest number of privately owned Pullman carriages” out of the 100 remaining Pullman carriages in the UK.

Alongside overnight stays and holidays, The Hotel is also a popular spot for dining and afternoon tea, with guests able to have afternoon tea either in the former waiting room or platform of the station.

The couple have also hosted murder mystery evenings, which Jennie added were “great fun to do”, with hopes to organise another one at a later date.

Guests can stay in one of six Classic Pullman Rooms or upgrade to a King Pullman Room offering more space. (Image: The Old Railway Station)

It’s located within two miles distance of Petworth, known for its antique shopping with over 25 antique dealers, and is within a short drive of Arundel and its famous Arundel Castle.

The hotel has won several awards including Bronze for Beautiful South Best Hotel Award, and is at number one in the area on TripAdvisor.

The hotel was also named in the Good Hotel Guide 2024 for being the Editor’s Choice for Romantic Hotel, and is currently in the running to win at the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2024 for Best Boutique Stay in Sussex.

The hotel has won several awards including Bronze for Beautiful South Best Hotel Award, and is at number one in the area on TripAdvisor. (Image: The Old Railway Station)

Jennie said: “We're just really lucky and it's a fantastic thing to be involved with. It's hard work and it's full on, but it's worth it because everyone that stays here is "Wow!", and they can't believe the carriages.

"Everyone is so excited when they stay here, that it's just so lovely."