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Original poster

Cornwall overnight train

17 replies

Growuppeople · 11/07/2019 22:40

Would you take a 6 and 11 year old on the sleeper train from London to cornwall? Has anyone been on it before?

OP posts:

PriestessModwena · 11/07/2019 22:45

I can't see why you'd have any issues, we drove to Cornwall with toddlers which was roughly 7 hours, with car stops for whatever, I'm assuming they have that covered on the train though.

Hope you get super weather.

Original poster

Growuppeople · 11/07/2019 22:52

It doesn’t leave Paddington till 11.45pm and arrives at Penzance around 8.00am on top of that we can’t check in till 4pm? I don’t drive, think it may be to much

OP posts:

Original poster

Growuppeople · 11/07/2019 22:54

PriestessModwena thank you though, I remember going as a kid and was hoping I could do it for my own

OP posts:

QueenOfIce · 11/07/2019 22:54

Can you get a cabin, you'll get some sleep. It's easy I've done it a few times. It's a slow train and they don't wake you up right away so you'll have time to get the kids together.

Isthebigwomanhere · 11/07/2019 22:55

It will be a grand adventure for them.
I honestly would and I would just have a wonder about and get your bearings and a spot of lunch before check in.

We always arrived hours before we could check in to beat traffic

peanutbutterismydownfall · 11/07/2019 22:58

Would you book sleeper berths or seats? If you're in the sleeper berths themselves, check the configuration as I don't think you're able to have more than two people in each one. Would you be comfortable with one or both of the DC being in another "room"? They don't have inter-connecting ones (as far as I know anyway).
I've never got much sleep on the sleeper. Whilst you don't have to get off the train until that time, the train will get into the station sometime before that so there will be noise around you, both on the train with people getting off and on the station itself.
What is the reason for wanting to get the sleeper? I think I'd just get a normal train - or fly - with DC that age as I think it will just be easier.

Original poster

Growuppeople · 11/07/2019 23:03

I’m worried they wouldn’t manage 6/7 hours on a train without causing a fuss but maybe packing a headphones, iPads and books may be better? Thought it may be something different but they may be too young?

OP posts:

Kez200 · 11/07/2019 23:05

Yes! Ive used it the other way. Cornwall to London. Its amazingly nostalgic.

I think you can use the first class lounge in London if you have a sleeper berth before it departs so see if thats still available.

Dont go without a sleeper berth. I did it once on the seats. Never again.

The berths are great. Tiny but amazing. Take the Skimbleshanks poem from TSEliot\Cats to read in bed. They bring you a basic snack and drink for breakfast. Theres a set time you have to leave by but its sensible. In Paddington we arrive about 5 and have to be off about 7 or maybe 7.30.

Do look into it. I am always envious of those who can do it the real way "for a holiday by the sea".

Asta19 · 11/07/2019 23:06

I took this trip regularly as a kid as I lived in Cornwall and my GPs lived in a different country and used to come and collect me and take me for holidays. I loved it! I think your DC will see it as a real adventure. It’s all quite exciting for kids. So much better than sitting in a regular seat on a journey that takes hours!

peanutbutterismydownfall · 11/07/2019 23:10

I think the novelty will wear off quite quickly and then you'll be left with two tired children.
The normal train is "only" 5hrs is you book one of the faster ones. Take tablets, a book and UNO or something and you're sorted. Unless you're in first class, there are very few seats where there are four of you sat around a table. I normally try & have it so the DC are sat together in front of me and then I'm behind them by myself/whoever has booked the seat next to me. The DC watch a film or something and I get to stare out of the window & day dream.

gnomeisland · 11/07/2019 23:11

Why not just get a normal day train?
8 hours hanging around in Pz with luggage before you can get into your accommodation is going to be tedious particularly if the DCs have had little sleep on the remain.
And what will you do all day if it's raining?
Get a decent night's sleep at home then an early train.

runoutofnamechanges · 11/07/2019 23:12

I've taken it many times but not for a few years. DS did it as a toddler and teenager but not in between. It will be an adventure for them! You can board about an hour before the train leaves in London/Penzance so time to get them settled before departure. It can be a bit bumpy so probably easier for them to fall asleep before you get going.

There are lounges in Paddington/Truro/Penzance with showers and snacks so chill you can before you board and freshen up when you arrive.

The downsides are they might not get the best sleep with a late night, early start and bumpy ride, and you would probably want each child to be in a berth with an adult. Would it spoil your first day if they are tired? Do they get cranky if they don't sleep well? I wouldn't want my child to be sleeping without an adult in the berth/wandering to the shared loo on their own in the night so it wouldn't work if it's just you as there are only single/double berths.

If you have to take the train, Pullman dining services are great for making the journey go quickly. Maybe you could take the breakfast service down and the sleeper back home if you think tiredness might spoil things?

MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours · 11/07/2019 23:21

we've done the Caledonian Sleeper, but the children were older, so less risk of being overtired and awful next day

also you can get two interconnecting cabins, but I don't know the rules and regs for the children...so whether you'd have to pay full price for all three of you or what I don't know.
We did it once with the family rail card, but that was two adults and two teens and four berths.
Could you give it a bash one way?? Maybe at the end of the holiday, to give yourselves an extra day? Investigate left luggage, or most hotels will keep your luggage after check out to save you lugging it around all day, and if you are just heading home it won't be too awful if no one gets any sleep!

HappyLoneParentDay · 12/07/2019 00:15

ItsInTheSpoon · 12/07/2019 05:49

I would have LOVED to do this. The idea of a sleeper train has always thrilled me. I actually did the Caledonian Sleeper at age 40 and it was exciting even at that age.

Kez200 · 12/07/2019 08:14

I dont think its awfully expensive because the train fare is not the peak charges. Yes, add the berth it increases substantially but it buys you a full first day in Cornwall and its the experience.

But, as I said before, dont do it without a berth. It was a very uncomfortable journey despite having a double seat all to myself and a pretty quiet carriage generally

bee222 · 12/07/2019 10:13

I used to do this journey a lot. When I was about 18/19 I would travel to London to watch a band, and then get the sleeper train back to Cornwall again!
I would advise only doing it if you book a berth. I used to just book a seat (because I was young and didn't care) and it is very difficult to get any sleep and it's really really boring. It can be surprisingly busy as well, so you can't rely on having an empty seat next to you so you can stretch out.

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