Find Out About Our Quiet Quirky Quality Railway Accommodation in Essex
Who are High Barn Heritage?
High Barn Heritage was set up with the purpose of restoring and preserving redundant, old and unloved railway carriages and rolling stock. We have lovingly restored an 1880's Great Eastern Railways (GER) 12-door second class coach and joined this to a 20th century freight box to make a wonderful and unique holiday home - thus ensuring the carriages live again! Set in the North Essex countryside they have been put back on under-gear and on rails and sleepers to give that unique and unforgettable experience.
Unfortunately 2020 was a tricky year, with not having many people to stay and experience, but hopefully 2021 and beyond will be better and we able to host many guests. So please read through the website, and if you decide you would like a holiday in a luxury railway carriage then please get in touch!
The Carriage was completed in 2020, taking longer due to the current situation, but ready for stay-cations now. By restoring the Carriage we have spent time ensuring the fit out and detail are of the same high quality the carriages are. We have tried to match furniture with the decor, and have had professional tradespeople in for painting, plumbing and wiring. This means we have gone for luxury fit out, and with the air conditioning and heating (obviously very modern but required to give a comfortable stay) will be cool in the summer and cosy in the winter! We have also tried to make it feel like a home away from home; with a living area down one end, a dining area and kitchen down the other end.
Situated in the North Essex countryside, near to the peaceful village of Greenstead Green, you are able to see the rolling fields both front and back. There is a meadow out the front for those who stay to use and to play on, and seating areas for dinner outside. There is a neighbouring wood at the top of the meadow so guests regularly can see the wildlife that emerges from there, from pheasants and partridge, to larger animals such as deer.
The meadow the carriages are located on is part of our family home. We live offsite, but only 3 miles away so if there are any issues or queries then we can be reached by phone or email and be over shortly.
Being in the countryside there are lots of quiet roads which give lovely bikes rides. Further along there are public footpaths which criss-cross the local area. Also a short drive away are local towns and villages with plenty of visitor attractions. There are also two local Heritage Railways close by; Colne Valley Railway and East Anglian Railway Museum, both within an 8 mile drive.
We are still working on restoring and preserving old railway carriages and redundant rolling stock; with an LMS Brake Van being restored now ready for the next luxury holiday let. Also being restored is our Ruston Shunter (YD43) which started its life at The Austin Motor Company before going to the Admiralty.
Amenities and House Rules
The let comprises of an 1880's Carriage, which is 1 main room - comprising of a Living Area, Dining Area and Kitchen, and an adjoining Freight Box, which houses a Bathroom and Main Bedroom. The Main Bedroom contains a standard Double Bed, this allows 2 People to occupy the let. We request everyone to please leave the carriage in the same clean and tidy condition as you arrived.
Both Parts have their own Air Conditioning/Heating systems, allowing them to cool in the summer and keep the let warm in the winter.
The following Amenities are provided:
- Living Area - with Freeview TV, DVD Player (with a selection of DVDs) and various Board Games.
- Kitchen and Dining Area - with Combination Microwave Oven, Slimline Dishwasher, Fridge with Ice Box, Dishes, Tableware, Cutlery and Utensils.
- Bedroom - with Hairdryer, Chest of Drawers and Bedside Tables with Lamps.
- Corridor contains a hanging rail with Hangers, as well as the Hot Water cylinder ensuring a lovely hot shower at the start of the day.
- Garden Area out the back with Seating and a Charcoal BBQ with BBQ Utensils
- Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blanket
- Smoke/Heat Alarms
- Washing Machine is located in the Laundry Room and available for guests to use, along with a Washing Line and Iron/Ironing Board.
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We are accommodating just weekly lets or single lets per week at the moment, with standard changeover day being the Saturday (so you book from Saturday night, through to and including the Friday night). Arrival time is from 16:00 on the first Saturday and departure is by 10:00 on the end Saturday when following this pattern.
The following Rules are in place when hiring the Carriage, these are both for the benefit of us, our neighbours, and all the guests:
- To agree to our Health and Safety Policy upon arrival.
- No Fireworks or Chinese Lanterns to be used.
- Respect the neighbours after dark.
- No gas or disposable BBQs are allowed. We provide a charcoal BBQ, with fuel and firelighters.
- Due to our Fire Assessment, no flames or candles in the carriage or within 3 metres of the carriage. Tea Lights or Candles can be used if done so safely and using a holder whilst still being 3 metres away from the carriage. They must be fully extinguished after use.
- To not climb on or under any of the rolling stock, on the rails, or under any of the steps, platforms or balconies.
- It is preferred that shoes are not worn inside. Due to the nature of the site supportive footwear must be worn outside and especially when climbing the steps (shoes such as flip-flops are not classed as suitable footwear).
- Due to our insurers requests relating to the nature of the site and the constrains of the carriage (with steps and tight areas), no infants or young children (under 5 years).
- No smoking anywhere on the site.
- No pets.
- No parties or events.
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Guest should note the following also prior to staying:
- There is a flight of steps outside to access the property - as shown in the external pictures. The Balconies and steps have kick boards, intermediate rails and top rails. Children should be supervised and attended at all times on these.”
- The Meadow, out the front, is also used by the owners of the neighbouring properties who walk their dogs along the eastern side of it.
- There is some potential for noise; Farming activity and other related activities may be audible at certain times of the year, including shooting during the winter months. Properties nearby may also generate associated noise.
- There is currently no WiFi, although some networks have good 4G coverage.
- To leave the let in a clean condition (generally same as you found it) upon departure. We do a clean between each guest but if additional extensive cleaning and tidying is required then a charge will be levied and taken form the damage deposit.
- A Security/Damage Deposit of £250.00 is required for each booking, which is refundable following the stay once inventory and damage checks show no loss, and that no additional extensive cleaning is required.
Heritage is part of our name and nature, so we are pleased to be listed as part of The Carriage Survey Project and The Wagon Survey Project, which are both co-ordinated by The Railway Heritage Register Partnership (The Carriage Survey Project is supported with grant aid from the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust - Improving Wellbeing in the UK and Ireland). Railway Carriages and Railway Wagons represent an important aspect of the history of our country, and this project will allow them to take their rightful place within our industrial and transport heritage. On the Carriage Register side, as an indication, over 400 of the 5,500+ carriages "preserved" within our country are over 100 years old. This survey will allow them (also others, younger - but still of importance) to be identified and recognised. Our present location, listed as Greenstead Green, shows the Carriage and all the Wagons listed on the respective registers. You can view the registers below and see all of the Railway Carriages and Wagons across the United Kingdom.
The Carriage Survey Project: http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/search.asp
The Wagon Survey Project: http://www.ws.rhrp.org.uk/ws/wsearch.asp
Our Restored Carriage can be found here: http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=6171
Our Ruston Shunter (YD43) is not fully updated yet on the Heritage Railway Locomotives Database, co-ordinated by UK & Ireland Heritage Railways, as it is showing its previous location still. We hope to get this amended soon to ensure accuracy on the database.