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Pagham Beach

Converted Railway Carriage

Situated directly on the beach, this holiday home was inherited from her mother by owner Hollie. 'It was very basic when my parents bought it from an elderly colonel who had lived there for decades - without a bathroom. My mother put in a bathroom and when I was a child, we often spent weekends there but by the time she died, it hadn't been occupied at all for some years.' Hollie's initial thoughts were to sell it but encouraged by a friend she thought again and set about restoring the dilapidated property. Similar to other homes on the south coast which date from the 1920's, it was originally formed from two redundant railway carriages which became bedrooms and bathroom on either side of a central living area. As well as refitting the bathrooms and installing draught-proof new windows and central heating, Hollie extended the living area to create a galley kitchen at the front whilst the south-facing extension at the rear opens directly onto the deck with uninterrupted views across the beach. Furnished with a mix of vintage furniture, well chosen accessories and bric-a-brac the effect is unpretentious and charming. Hollie now holidays there during August with her children who love the simple pleasures of summer by the sea - the yacht club is a hundred yards down the beach. The rest of the year it is available for short break rentals.