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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!
House Rules
Pet-friendlyKid friendlyNo smoking
Bedrooms
2 Kings1 Double2 Singles
Bathrooms
1 Full bath1 Shower
Meet the host
Clive T
Hosting since May 2017
Languages spoken: English
Response Time: Within a few hours
Interaction with guests:Â 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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Just returned from a lovely week at Southern Bell, 6 adults and a toddler. The property is made up of two railway carriages which provide really quirky and spacious accommodation. Decor has a beach vibe and is bright and modern. The property is really well-equipped and the welcome pack was a lovely touch. The beach location was just fabulous and the outside space proved very popular for a couple of barbecues- immaculate gas barbecue and deck chairs provided. We took our own indoor/outdoor games which proved a great way of spending the evenings together as a family. The immediate beach is stoney with a small amount of sand at low tide, but lovely for a brisk walk and more games! We found a good sandy beach near Sparkes Marina, a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk away. The home office was a godsend for a couple of ‘home-workers’ in the party. Lots of information given in advance by Clive, the host, and his response to emails was very quick. We were even offered a couple of extra days free of charge as the property was unoccupied, but sadly couldn’t take up the offer. Great week in a delightful property. I would definitely recommend it.
Visited July 2023
Written 7 July 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scenic442202
1 contribution
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 office!)
The views are spectacular and you step out of the door onto the beach.
Clive the owner is so helpful and provided loads of useful information.
We can’t wait to come back again.
Visited October 2021
Written 23 October 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DayTrip503269
6 contributions
Fab location
Super accommodation for a family or two with grown up children. Dog loved it too. Very well equipped and lovely welcome hamper. Very clean. Would book again.
Visited August 2021
Written 14 August 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of an individual traveller and not of Tripadvisor LLC nor of its partners. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Daniela F
Toulouse, France1 contribution
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 literally outside our door!
Fun fair and miniature railway within walking distance and very good food at the local marina.
Would very much like to return. Can highly recommend this property.....ideal for families and pets.
Visited June 2021
Written 28 June 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KLT1964
London, United Kingdom9 contributions
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 so well, really interesting. Very light and bright house.
The host was really helpful and nothing was too much trouble.
We had a couple of us "wfh" and the view from the little office was idyllic! The internet served us all well.
The little touches were very much appreciated, including the welcome basket which even had treats for the dogs. The kitchen was really well equipped, the beds were comfortable and plenty of hot water. Plenty of hanging space for all those outdoor coats and shoes in the hallway.
We walked every day, and really miss the beach walk, so do the dogs who absolutely loved it. You just step out the door onto the beach, couldn't be more perfect. We walked to the Drift along the beach and even though we had to sit outside as it was still "only eating outside" when we went in May, it's a really lovely setting and great atmosphere with all the boats. So we didn't really eat out much as it was quite cold when we went so can't really recommend any restaurants, but would definitely recommend the Drift. We did barbecue on the supplied barbecue. On the way home we did stop at Emsworth which is a really pretty village off the island and well worth a visit.
We also had plenty of bike rides, it's so flat so was perfect.
So would throughly recommend this lovely house and will definitely be coming back.
Thank you Clive for a wonderful stay.
Visited May 2021
Written 17 May 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dream47156336227
1 contribution
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!
Visited April 2021
Written 5 May 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Iamnotanumber
Haywards Heath, United Kingdom68 contributions
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 on to the beach where we could watch rain, followed by rain with a light shower in between. We can say that the property is definitely watertight, and amazingly cosy in wet & windy weather!
This property has been carefully thought out, and the location is excellent (shops a short walk way). I would happily spend more time here.
Visited October 2020
Written 27 October 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rebekah B
5 contributions
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. The welcome hamper was a lovely touch with some local produce. The beach is just across the small path outside the back steps, and it was lovely to sit and listen to the waves crashing onto the beach from the comfort of the sofa :) A holiday that we will remember for a lifetime. The owner Clive was very accommodating and even let us in a little early as we arrived earlier than planned and were freezing on the seafront haha, which we were all very grateful to him for his warm welcome. Would stay here again and definitely recommend to others :)
Visited March 2020
Written 15 March 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jackie L
Southampton, United Kingdom9 contributions
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 tree. Fantastic memories, sad that we can’t come back next Christmas but so glad that you are booked up. We will definitely be back.
Thank you from all of us,
Visited December 2019
Written 28 December 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sherpa558686
London, United Kingdom6 contributions
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 to our
Great Aunt,
The layout was great for us and right by the beach. The weather was fantastic all weekend and brought back many memories of our holidays on Hayling Island many years ago.
Thanks Clive for a great place and the details of the history of the carriages.
We hope to come again sometime soon.
Visited June 2019
Written 23 September 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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.
Things to know
Check in / out timings
Check in after 5 pm • Check out by 9 am
Cancellation policy
100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
50% refund* if you cancel at least 4 weeks before check-in
No refund available once booking is confirmed
About this property
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