A disused 19th-century railway station near Cheltenham has been beautifully restored into a luxury haven for train enthusiasts, thanks to the passion and dedication of Cecilia Chavez-Brandon and her husband, Paul Kirwan. After purchasing the historic Rowden Mill Station in Bromyard, North Herefordshire, in 2017, the couple invested over £50,000 to transform the once-abandoned site into an authentic vintage experience.
The station, which ceased passenger services in the 1950s as car travel became more popular, lay in disrepair until its revival began. Covering 2.7 acres, including a stretch of original track and period structures, the property now offers visitors a chance to step into the mid-20th century with accommodations and scenery reminiscent of the station’s heyday.
Originally trained as an architect, Cecilia embraced the role of a train enthusiast and historian alongside her husband. “Waking up here feels like living in a 1950s railway station,” she explains. The couple preserved key features like the canopy roof and booking office, turning the latter into a welcoming kitchen. The waiting room has been converted into a cozy lounge, while the parcel office became a studio suite with private ensuite facilities.
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Highlighting the unique offerings, guests can stay in an 18-foot vintage railway saloon lovingly restored with authentic 1960s furniture or enjoy the charm of a converted 20-tonne brake van, completed in April 2024. Both incorporate antiques and period-correct design, creating an immersive historical ambiance.
The station reopened for holidaymakers in July 2022 and has steadily attracted a diverse group of visitors — from railway buffs and former train drivers to families and nature lovers. Despite a temporary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple continued improving the property and maintaining over 250 metres of track, including a rare 1962 British Railway inspection saloon coach acquired during that period.
Room rates reflect the exclusive experience on offer, with the most luxurious accommodation commanding upwards of £260 per night and whole-building rentals available. Nestled amidst meadows, hedgerows, and wildlife ponds, Rowden Mill Station offers not just a trip into railway history but a peaceful escape surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Cecilia sums up their venture as “a railway experience in nature” unlike any other — a one-of-a-kind destination promising guests the nostalgic thrill of train travel from a bygone era.