The Engine Shed

It felt more homely than an impersonal big chain. The room was really lovely, the bed comfortable, and there were facilities for making drinks and a little fridge. It’s right by the tracks, so bring earplugs if train sounds bother you, though I didn’t notice them.

The garden is shared with the owner rather than separate, so there’s no privacy there. Fortunately, the owners were away. The half-glazed door had a badly fitting slatted blind and no curtains, so light came through even when it was closed. The shower thermostat didn’t work properly: it went from warm to cold within seconds, slowly warmed again, got hot, then turned freezing. It happened to both of us, and neither of us touched the temperature knob. We didn’t see the owners because they were away. The online photos showed hot chocolate and toffees, but we found builders tea, coffee, and biscuits. The fridge was unstable in an old kitchen unit with its door missing. The room also hadn’t been cleaned properly after the previous guests. Their rubbish was on the carpet, there were stains in the basin, and the sheets were stained too. Yuk. The shed is practically on the railway line, and the room was noisy and vibrated. Trains ran until 3:45am, then started again at 5:45am. We went on a Wednesday expecting quieter trains because the steam trains only run at weekends, but had a very noisy, restless night. The description of the trains is inaccurate.

The room was cleaned to a very high standard, and my wife and I would definitely stay again. We both spent a night in this little gem, a two-bed bedsit or chalet with an ensuite. We liked the personal touch of coffee in a small jar, tea bags, sugar cubes instead of the usual little sachets, and a small bottle of milk in the fridge. It is right next to a train line, but despite what some reviews say, the trains do not shake the room. Janette and I would 100% recommend it. Blain and Janette Austin

The owner was kind and accommodating, and we stayed two nights in a lovely little two-bed flat with an ensuite just outside Weston-super-Mare. Trains pass frequently on the nearby line, but we got used to them quickly and weren’t woken by them either night. We’d stay again.