Pros

  • Quirky, upscale bed-and-breakfast set in 19th-century railway station
  • Peaceful location within the South Downs National Park
  • Unique accommodation in restored railway carriages
  • Excellent free breakfast served in lovely old waiting room with fireplace
  • Breakfast served outside overlooking garden in summer
  • Afternoon tea available (often with prior booking)
  • Free parking and Wi-Fi throughout
  • Neighboring pub serves drinks and food
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Cons

  • Narrow carriage rooms can feel cramped
  • Difficult to access on public transport
  • No restaurant on-site
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Bottom Line

The Old Railway Station is an upscale bed-and-breakfast set in a converted 19th-century train station within the South Downs National Park. Accommodation includes 10 rooms split between the station and converted Pullman carriages, which are superbly decorated in the style of the period -- though can feel a little cramped. The lack of a proper restaurant is also a shame, though breakfast is included and a local pub serves food. Overall, it offers wonderfully quirky and polished lodging that will certainly appeal to more than just train-spotters and railway enthusiasts. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet

Oyster Hotel Review

The Old Railway Station

Scene

Quirky railway-themed hotel set in converted 19th-century train station

Built in 1892 for the then Prince of Wales, this colonial-style property was once the Petworth Railway Station. The old ticket office forms the lobby with tiled floors and framed vintage railway posters around the original ticket window, which now acts as a reception desk. At the back of this is an elegant terrace with tables, chairs, and large sunshades on what would have been the platform. A manicured lawn grows where the rails would have lain is now lined with rhododendrons and other mature shrubbery. The bright and airy waiting room with 20-foot vaulted ceiling was converted into a dining and lounge area with wooden floors, colonial-themed decor, leather sofas, and an open fire. Old maps and an eclectic mix of railway-related art adorn the walls, while slatted window shutters add to the period feel. 

Next to the ticket office a metal spiral staircase is found in a small library area and leads up to a loft bedroom, however the immaculately restored old Pullman railway carriages in the grounds make up the majority of the guest rooms. Clientele tends towards the more mature traveler, as well as railway enthusiasts and those looking to stay somewhere a little different.

See More Scene

Location

Peaceful countryside setting within the South Downs National Park

The hotel is located off the main road on a quiet country lane with gardens backing onto woodland, making it a very tranquil location, albeit difficult to reach by public transport. Located within the South Downs National Park, the property offers an ideal setting for keen walkers. Petworth itself is a picturesque and historic market town, and only a few minutes' drive from the hotel. The nearby city of Chichester is a 25-minute drive and Goodwood House, home to the Festival of Speed, is around 20 minutes' drive. The nearest airport is Gatwick, around 45 minutes to an hour away by car. 

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Rooms

Most rooms set within railway carriages with free Wi-Fi

Two of the 10 rooms are in the station building itself -- one upstairs and one downstairs. The lower-level room has a more colonial feel with shuttered windows, gray wooden walls, and crisp white bed linens; the loft room has exposed beams and skylights, and generally a more modern vibe, tempered by framed vintage travel posters on one wall. Both rooms have immaculate, contemporary bathrooms with walk-in showers and floor-to-ceiling tiling in pale gray. 

The other eight rooms are in beautifully restored Pullman railway carriages to the side of the station. The carriages are reminiscent of a bygone era and make for narrow (there's very little space around the bed) but attractive rooms with original dark-wood paneled walls, simple antique furniture, and wooden-slatted shutters on the windows. Bathrooms are modern and functional with tubs and (in some cases separate) showers. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and Cole and Lewis bath products; some rooms have hairdryers and/or kettles and French presses. 

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Features

Full English breakfast served in attractive old waiting room

An excellent breakfast (included in the rate) offers fresh fruit and freshly baked rolls along with a full English option served in the lovely old waiting room or on the garden terrace in warmer weather. There's no restaurant as such, but afternoon cream teas are available -- though these often have to be booked in advance. A local pub serving evening meals is a two-minute walk from the hotel. Free parking is available outside the hotel.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

The Old Railway Station

Scene

Quirky railway-themed hotel set in converted 19th-century train station

Built in 1892 for the then Prince of Wales, this colonial-style property was once the Petworth Railway Station. The old ticket office forms the lobby with tiled floors and framed vintage railway posters around the original ticket window, which now acts as a reception desk. At the back of this is an elegant terrace with tables, chairs, and large sunshades on what would have been the platform. A manicured lawn grows where the rails would have lain is now lined with rhododendrons and other mature shrubbery. The bright and airy waiting room with 20-foot vaulted ceiling was converted into a dining and lounge area with wooden floors, colonial-themed decor, leather sofas, and an open fire. Old maps and an eclectic mix of railway-related art adorn the walls, while slatted window shutters add to the period feel. 

Next to the ticket office a metal spiral staircase is found in a small library area and leads up to a loft bedroom, however the immaculately restored old Pullman railway carriages in the grounds make up the majority of the guest rooms. Clientele tends towards the more mature traveler, as well as railway enthusiasts and those looking to stay somewhere a little different.

See More Scene

Location

Peaceful countryside setting within the South Downs National Park

The hotel is located off the main road on a quiet country lane with gardens backing onto woodland, making it a very tranquil location, albeit difficult to reach by public transport. Located within the South Downs National Park, the property offers an ideal setting for keen walkers. Petworth itself is a picturesque and historic market town, and only a few minutes' drive from the hotel. The nearby city of Chichester is a 25-minute drive and Goodwood House, home to the Festival of Speed, is around 20 minutes' drive. The nearest airport is Gatwick, around 45 minutes to an hour away by car. 

See More Location

Rooms

Most rooms set within railway carriages with free Wi-Fi

Two of the 10 rooms are in the station building itself -- one upstairs and one downstairs. The lower-level room has a more colonial feel with shuttered windows, gray wooden walls, and crisp white bed linens; the loft room has exposed beams and skylights, and generally a more modern vibe, tempered by framed vintage travel posters on one wall. Both rooms have immaculate, contemporary bathrooms with walk-in showers and floor-to-ceiling tiling in pale gray. 

The other eight rooms are in beautifully restored Pullman railway carriages to the side of the station. The carriages are reminiscent of a bygone era and make for narrow (there's very little space around the bed) but attractive rooms with original dark-wood paneled walls, simple antique furniture, and wooden-slatted shutters on the windows. Bathrooms are modern and functional with tubs and (in some cases separate) showers. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and Cole and Lewis bath products; some rooms have hairdryers and/or kettles and French presses. 

See More Rooms

Features

Full English breakfast served in attractive old waiting room

An excellent breakfast (included in the rate) offers fresh fruit and freshly baked rolls along with a full English option served in the lovely old waiting room or on the garden terrace in warmer weather. There's no restaurant as such, but afternoon cream teas are available -- though these often have to be booked in advance. A local pub serving evening meals is a two-minute walk from the hotel. Free parking is available outside the hotel.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.