Railway View

Railway View is a glamping stay for two near Cirencester in the Cotswolds: a converted Great Western Railway carriage with a double bed, its own sunny decking and three donkeys grazing in the paddock beside it. It stands on a lawn in the grounds of Norcote Farmhouse, about five minutes' drive from Cirencester's market place, with parking a few steps away, and dogs are welcome. You can book it direct with us right here.

Railway View at a glance

• Sleeps 2 in one double bed
• A real Great Western Railway carriage, converted with its railway character kept
• Kitchenette for breakfasts and simple suppers
• Shower room with a large shower
• Electric fire, heater and an oil-filled radiator for chilly evenings, and a tower fan for hot days
• Private decking with a table and chairs that catches the afternoon sun
• Smart TV, Wi-Fi and board games
• Dog-friendly
• Free parking on site, in a space kept for you
• Self check-in 4 pm to 9 pm, check-out 11 am

Inside the carriage

Climb the few steps from the decking and you're inside a slice of railway history, now fitted out as a snug hideaway for two. Wooden panelling and cushioned bench seats set the mood, and it's an easy place to spend an evening with a film on the Smart TV, a board game or a good book while the electric fire glows. Guests often say they can't believe how much fits into such a small space.

The bed and the shower room

The double bed is made up with hotel-quality linen before you arrive, with spare pillows and blankets, and it's the thing guests praise most often in their reviews. The shower room has a generous shower, and we leave fresh towels and toiletries for you both.

The kitchenette

Breakfast and simple suppers are easy: there's an induction hob, a microwave, a fridge, a toaster, a kettle and a coffee machine, with pots, pans and crockery to go with them. When you'd rather someone else did the cooking, Cirencester's restaurants and pubs are five minutes away by car.

The decking and the donkeys

Your private decking has a table and chairs and gets the sun in the afternoon, which makes it the place for a glass of something cold while the three donkeys graze in the paddock and squirrels chase across the lawn. You're welcome to say hello to the donkeys, but please don't feed them. A lit path leads to the carriage, so it's easy to find your way back after dinner in town.

Good to know before you book

The carriage is compact and made for two. It's peaceful, but not completely secluded: it sits in the grounds of a farmhouse, with other buildings and a driveway nearby, and you can hear the main road. On hot summer days it warms up quickly, so we leave a fan for you. The grounds aren't fenced and there's a road, a pond and livestock close by, so dogs need to be on a lead outside.

• Arrivals from 4 pm, last check-in 9 pm, by lockbox; leave by 11 am
• We can't offer late arrivals after 9 pm
• All on one level, a few steps up from a lit path
• One dog; a pet fee applies
• No parties or events, and no smoking
• After booking, the lead guest completes a short ID check and deposit step with our partner SafeGuest

Where you are in the Cotswolds

Norcote is on the edge of Cirencester, the market town known as the capital of the Cotswolds. By car, Cirencester's market place is about 5 minutes away, the Corinium Museum about 6, the Royal Agricultural University 7 and Cirencester Park 9. Bibury and Arlington Row are around 11 minutes, the Cotswold Water Park 13, Tetbury 18, Bourton-on-the-Water 23, Westonbirt Arboretum 28 and Cheltenham Racecourse about 35. You'll want a car for exploring, as the town is too far to walk comfortably.

Parking, arrival and departure

There's free parking on site, in an allocated space a few steps from the carriage, and Kemble station, with trains to London Paddington, Swindon and Cheltenham, is about 11 minutes' drive. Check-in is self check-in with a lockbox, any time between 4 pm and 9 pm, and check-out is by 11 am. We send directions and your code before you arrive, and our local team is on hand by message every day from 8 am to 8 pm.

Questions guests ask

• Is it glamping or a cottage? A bit of both: a real railway carriage, with a proper double bed, a shower room, heating and Wi-Fi.
• Can we bring our dog? Yes, one dog is welcome (a pet fee applies). Please keep it on a lead outside, as the grounds aren't fenced.
• Is there parking? Yes, free parking on site in a space kept for you.
• How far is Cirencester? About five minutes by car.
• Will it be warm enough in winter? Yes: there's an electric fire, a heater and an oil-filled radiator.
• Can we cook? Simple meals, yes, on the induction hob, with a microwave, fridge, toaster, kettle and coffee machine.
• Is there Wi-Fi? Yes, and a Smart TV.
• Can we arrive after 9 pm? Sorry, no: the lockbox check-in window ends at 9 pm, so aim to get here between 4 and 9.
• Are there steps? A few, up from the lit path to the door; inside, everything is on one level.

Booking direct

Booking Railway View here is cheaper than booking the same dates through some of the big booking sites. If you have particular dates in mind, email us before you book and we'll see what we can do for you.