LET’S be honest, trainspotting doesn’t conjure up the most glamorous of images.
That is unless you’re at the stylish Station Agent’s House in Manchester city centre.
The world’s oldest surviving railway station has been transformed into a wonderful retreat by The Landmark Trust and it can now be rented out as a holiday home.
Dating back to the dawn of the Railway Age in 1830, the Grade I-listed building was the first purpose-built, intercity passenger railway terminus.
It was created at a time when train travel was far more glamorous – and often more reliable – than today.
Entering the beautiful building did, indeed, feel like stepping back in time.
Everything has been painstakingly restored in partnership with the Science and Industry Museum next door, and now the space is chic and sustainable, comfortably sleeping eight people.
There are nostalgic nods to the original inhabitants – such as old platform signs, signals, vintage waiting-room benches, travel posters and even overhead luggage racks which were salvaged when the small terminus was closed.
My partner John loved the proper old-fashioned pot of tea, too, and a warm cuppa made us feel right at home from the get go.
There are plenty of accesibility features, as well, such as step-free access to fully accessible bedrooms and a little lift taking you up to the spacious first-floor living area.
What’s really great for large groups is having a bathroom on each of the three floors – my favourite featured a huge free-standing tub on a raised platform which offered fabulous views through a large window across the viaduct.
But don’t worry, it’s so high above the tracks that only pigeons might get an eyeful.
At the heart of the house, a specially made oval skylight enhances the original staircase, and the gorgeous Art Deco-style furnishings transport you back to the 1930s golden age of steam when rail travel was in its heyday.
Everything was so cosy and comfortable that we could have spent our entire staycation holed up in the house admiring the old features.
But as we were in the city centre, it seemed a shame not to go and explore.
Manchester is marvellously vibrant, buzzing with attractions.
If you have football-mad kids, big or small, then check out the tour of Manchester United’s ground.
Exploring Old Trafford gives fans the chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the impressive stadium.
My teen told me: “We are walking in the footsteps of legends.”
The Science and Industry Museum, right next door to our holiday home, is great for all ages, too.
And if we had bothered to take the kids, we know they would have loved the interactive exhibits, including a vast gaming room.
For the adults, the buzzing canal is a five-minute walk from the holiday home, and there we drank our way through a selection of modern cocktails until the early hours.
It was the perfect end to a kids-free getaway.
And unlike most train services in Britain, I’m happy to report that there were no cancellations or delays from this station house.
FOUR nights’ self catering at The Station Agent’s House, in Manchester city centre, costs from £780 in total or from £97.50 per person, based on eight sharing.
For more details, and to book, check out landmarktrust.org/uk.
