The Old Railway 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.

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. 

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. 

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.