Boasting beautiful beaches, dramatic coastlines and charming villages, it is hardly surprising that Cornwall is such a popular holiday destination for both Brits and those further afield. While it may seem a long way to travel for residents elsewhere, there are some rather exciting alternative travel options for those not wanting to make the journey by road.
George Kimm – a UK travel and food content creator – decided to hop aboard an overnight sleeper train from London to Penzance and shared his experience on Instagram. George took the Great Western Railway (GWR) Night Riviera which departs from London Paddington and arrives in the market town in the morning, with the total journey time of just over eight hours. Yet, it was the price of his ticket that left his followers most surprised.
George booked a “very cosy” solo cabin on the night train. It came with a single bed, a table that also turned into a sink, a wardrobe, and some “very useful” storage space under the bed. GWR also provided some amenities, including soap.
He noted that the toilets are outside of the cabins. But apart from that, the train company “really had thought of everything else”, he said.
He also visited the onboard bar, where many passengers go to sit and relax. He said the bar provided free tea and coffee with biscuits. After settling in and doing some exploring, George watched the train pull away from the station before going to bed.
“When it comes to going to sleep, I actually had a really good experience,” George added.
He shared that he enjoyed the train’s sounds and movement, which helped him drift off to sleep. When he awoke the next morning, he had breakfast, which was included with his cabin. He opted for a cup of tea and a sausage bap, which he said was “very delicious.”
“And it was so lovely to have my breakfast whilst watching the countryside whizz by,” he continued.
He ended his Instagram reel by revealing the price of his journey and cabin: “My ticket cost £119 and an additional £149 for the cabin,” before adding that he felt it was “honestly so worth it” and something that he would definitely do again.
Since posting, the reel has racked up an impressive one million views, thousands of likes and more than 400 comments. However, opinions on the price were less than favourable.
One pointed out: “£75 return to Paris, just saying,” to which George replied: “Totally get it. This was a bucket list trip.”
Another said: “Looks fun but the price is insane.” Someone else even described the price as “criminal.”