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Southern Bell

35 reviews
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Overview
Reviews
Amenities
Availability
Map
Overview
5 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
8 guests
3 nights minimum
Holiday Rental House
Welcome to Southern Bell, a unique island beach house, made partly of two converted railway carriages from 1874 and 1903! Southern Bell sleeps eight people, is pet-friendly and has a fabulous location directly on the seafront with stunning sea views and your own private gate to the beach, providing the perfect place to bring the whole family together. Recently renovated and with all modern amenities, Southern Bell offers First Class(!) beach holiday accommodation with five bedrooms (three of which are inside one of the railway carriages) and two bathrooms, one of which is en-suite. The large modern open-plan kitchen and living room with patio doors makes the most of the direct beach-front location offering panoramic seaviews. There is a second sitting/TV room in the original, historic...Welcome to Southern Bell, a unique island beach house, made partly of two converted railway carriages from 1874 and 1903! Southern Bell sleeps eight people, is pet-friendly and has a fabulous location directly on the seafront with stunning sea views and your own private gate to the beach, providing the perfect place to bring the whole family together. Recently renovated and with all modern amenities, Southern Bell offers First Class(!) beach holiday accommodation with five bedrooms (three of which are inside one of the railway carriages) and two bathrooms, one of which is en-suite. The large modern open-plan kitchen and living room with patio doors makes the most of the direct beach-front location offering panoramic seaviews. There is a second sitting/TV room in the original, historic First Class carriage! The bedrooms include one 5ft kingsize bed with ensuite, another 5ft kingsize bedroom, plus a further double and two single bedrooms in the railway carriages. The front of the house provides plenty of off-road parking as well as a garage, which can be used for secure bike storage during your stay. As well as being right on the beach, Southern Bell is a short walk from the local shops, pubs, restaurants and marina/sailing club. Hayling Island is renowned for its windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing activities. Windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayak and SUP lessons are available close by, while the year is filled with local events, such as the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada, the Hayling Island Beer Festival and the fantastic annual Scarecrow Festival to name just a few. Sailing and nautical activity can always be seen along the coastline, while other island activities include a links golf course, cycling and scenic walks along the water’s edge. The island is on the edge of the South Downs National Park, while Chichester with its beautiful cathedral, theatres, shopping, leisure centre, Roman Villa, Goodwood or Fontwell races and the Witterings are nearby to the east. To the west, visit Portsmouth's waterside dining, ferry trips to the Isle of Wight, designer outlets, leisure facilities, Spinnaker Tower, Historic Dockyard including HMS Victory and the Mary Rose, or the maritime history at Southampton. Winchester, with its cathedral and abbey, and The New Forest are also within easy driving distance, while plenty of National Trust homes and gardens can also be discovered nearby. All WiFi, gas central heating, electricity, bed linen and towels are included. A travel cot and high chair are available on request. The house also has two Virgin Media cable TVs, Xbox, and iPod dock. The kitchen has a gas/electric range, microwave, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, Nespresso machine (10 Ristretto capsules provided) and separate 6-bottle wine fridge, while there is a washing machine and tumble dryer enclosed in a utility cupboard in the large entrance hall (also a rail carriage!) Southern Bell is strictly no smoking... even in the 'Smoking' carriage!More
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House Rules
Pets Allowed: Yes
Smoking Allowed: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Bathrooms
1 Shower, 1 Full bath
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About the Owner
Clive T
Languages spoken:English
Response Rate:100%
Response Time:Within a few hours
Listed Since:May 2017
Interaction with guests: 
We hope you have a wonderful stay at Southern Bell and will send you a letter near the start of your stay with our contact details, details on key collection, directions to the house and some other local information. Key are collected from a keybox at the property so making arrival times more flexible from 3pm onwards, while Clive is always available. In the event we are away we always leave details of someone else available in an emergency.
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Write a reviewReviews (35)

1 - 10 of 35 reviews

Reviewed 23 October 2021
Fabulous Family Time

This was the second time we have stayed at Southern Bell and it did not disappoint, in fact it was even more beautiful than I remembered Fantastic property with absolutely everything we needed for our family of 6 adults and 2 children (including a home...More

Date of stay: October 2021
Thank Scenic442202
A Holiday Lettings verified reviewer
41
Reviewed 14 August 2021 via mobile

Date of stay: August 2021
Reviewed 28 June 2021 via mobile
Fabulous

This was truly an amazing family holiday, made even better by the railway theme and the accommodation being designed around original carriages. The standard of the accommodation was superb and equipped with very good quality furnishings and bedding. Fully equipped kitchen and the beach was...More

Date of stay: June 2021
Thank danielafZ4079AU
Reviewed 17 May 2021
Excellent in all ways, a wonderful beach house for large families and dogs!

Fantastic family stay at this perfect pet friendly beach house. We were a family of 8 and the house soaked us all up no problem, including the 2 dogs. It really is a wonderful quirky house, we loved the carriages and it has been converted...More

Date of stay: May 2021
Thank KLT1964
Reviewed 5 May 2021
Just Perfect!

A truly unique island beach house (incorporating two converted railway carriages) which has been beautifully and thoughtfully presented to a high standard throughout. Great host and lovely welcome hamper. Fabulous sea views with direct access to the beach - just perfect!

Date of stay: April 2021
Thank Dream47156336227
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Reviewed 27 October 2020
Cosy Carriage Cocoon

What a place to see! Two beautiful railway carriages moulded into a unique house. One carriage holds three of the lovely bedrooms, the other a sitting room which still has the aroma of days gone by (in a nice way!). The kitchen/living room looks out...More

Date of stay: October 2020
Thank Iamnotanumber
Reviewed 15 March 2020
A unique and quirky place to stay

Southern Bell was the most unique place I've ever stayed. It was truly amazing to stay in the converted railway carriages, which never lost its charm every time we walked through the corridor. There was everything you could possibly need, a true home from home....More

Date of stay: March 2020
Thank Rebekah B
Reviewed 29 December 2019
Fantastic Christmas stay

The location is amazing, Southern Bell is a fantastic place to stay, so clean with every amenity available to help with an amazing stay. Eight of us stayed over Christmas from 93 year old to 2 year old dog. Thank you Clive for the Christmas...More

Date of stay: December 2019
Thank JackieL995
Reviewed 23 September 2019
Great Memories of Staying in Old Railway Carriage on Holiday

We booked to stay with my sisters and husbands and it was the railway carriages that excited us for our celebration! Back in 1950s and 60s we came each year to Hayling Island with our parents and stayed in an old railway carriage that belonged...More

Date of stay: June 2019
Thank Jim T
Reviewed 22 September 2019
" Oh - I do like to be beside the seaside"

It was such fun exploring the railway carriage on arrival and seeing how well it had been updated and restored. We all loved watching the comings and goings on the coast looking over to the Isle of Wight - busy with Cruise Liners, yachts, ferries...More

Date of stay: June 2019
Thank OnHoliday22
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Amenities
Pets Allowed: Yes
Smoking Allowed: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
DVD Player
Balcony
Central Heating
Dishwasher
Dryer
Freezer
Refrigerator
Highchair
Housekeeping Included
Internet Access
Iron
Kettle
Linens Provided
Microwave
Ocean Views
Patio
Private Garden
Cable/satellite TV
Secure Parking
Stereo System
Cooker
Terrace
Toaster
Towels Provided
TV
Washer
Wi-Fi
Beach Or Lakeside Relaxation
Cycling Trips
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Availability
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Map
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How to get there
We like to say 'drive until the map turns blue!' Situated right on the beach, Southern Bell is easy to find on the South-East end of Hayling Island. We have loads of off-road parking at the front of the house for at least five cars. If you want to come via public transport, the nearest main line train station to London is 5 miles away and connects with a bus stop 100 yards away from the house. Southampton Airport and Cruise Terminal are also just 45 minutes away, while ferries from France and Spain arrive in nearby Portsmouth.
About this property
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Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Bell
Southern Bell is able to accommodate up to 8 guests. See all property details.
Southern Bell has 2 bathrooms available. See all property details.
Southern Bell has 5 bedrooms available. See all property details.
Stays at Southern Bell must last at least 3 nights. See all property details.