The Night Riviera Sleeper Train: London Paddington to Penzance

The Night Riviera is one of only two UK sleeper trains, and it might be the most relaxing way to wake up in Cornwall. UK Travel Planning’s rail expert Doug Collins shares his first-hand ride and the small choices that make a big difference to comfort and views.

In this episode

• How to book simply and avoid common pitfalls
• When to arrive and how lounge access can upgrade your night
• What berths are really like and how sleep felt in practice
• The easy breakfast strategy for a picture-perfect arrival
• Exactly which side to sit for the best coastal views

Plus

• What to do when plans change and seat reservations are not in place
• How the Night Riviera compares with the Caledonian Sleeper

📝 Show Notes - Episode 171

🎧 Listen to next

• Episode #157: 15 UK Train Travel Mistakes First-Time Travellers Make and How to Avoid Them
• Episode #141 – Caledonian Sleeper Update [+ Route Choices and Travel Tips]
• Episode #151 – Essential UK Train Travel Tips and Q&A for First-Time Travellers

For more information and to book a consult or video review, visit our website UK Travel Planning.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introducing the Night Riviera Sleeper
• 9:35 What is the Night Riviera?
• 16:30 Booking and First Class Lounge
• 26:37 Boarding and Berth Experience
• 34:02 The Journey and Breakfast Options

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Are you considering an overnight sleeper train in the UK? Well, in this episode, doug takes the Night Riviera and shares the need to knows. So your journey is smooth, comfortable and memorable, and keep listening to learn exactly where to sit as you head down the Cornish Riviera into Penzance.

Speaker 2: 0:16

Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast. Your host is the founder of the UK Travel Planning website, tracy Collins. Each week, tracy shares destination guides, travel tips and itinerary ideas, as well as interviews with a variety of guests who share their knowledge and experience of UK travel to help you plan your perfect UK vacation. Join us as we explore the UK from cosmopolitan cities to quaint villages, from historic castles to beautiful islands, and from the picturesque countryside to seaside towns.

Speaker 1: 0:51

Hi and welcome to this week's edition of the UK Travel Planner Podcast. I have Doug here this week. Hello there. Now Doug is in the UK and has been travelling a lot.

Speaker 3: 0:59

I am.

Speaker 1: 1:00

You are, yeah, and you've been travelling a lot around by train. He's trying all these train trips out so he can report back for you on the podcast and on YouTube Now in this week. Yeah, you're having a great time, aren't you?

Speaker 3: 1:13

Oh I am. I'm a fantastic time. Am I happy place on train.

Speaker 1: 1:16

You are. You are Now. So what we're going to be talking about this week is an overnight sleeper train in the UK, and we're going to be talking about the Night Riviera, which runs from London, paddington to Penzance. So in this episode, doug's going to cover the practical bits that you need to know, so how to book it, what birth passengers can use, stuff about the first castle lounge at Paddington, what time boarding starts, what the check-in process is like, all that sort of stuff that you need to know. So Doug's gonna talk about all of that stuff with you. And how to order breakfast, which is very important, so you can roll in a cornwall with a coffee or, more importantly for us, a cup of tea in hand so you're also gonna hear, are the day-to-day details from Doug's trip, including you, had a bit of a small engineering diversion.

Speaker 1: 2:04

That meant a slightly later arrival, but not too bad yeah yeah, and you're going to share where to sit on the train to get the best views, aren't you specifically of St Michael's Mount. And then a little bit about what happened on your return journey, because the there's a bit of a change with the train, so seat reservations weren't in place, so Doug's going to talk to you a little bit about what to do if that happens. Well, that's, those sort of things happen. And if sleeper trains are your thing, you must, must, must listen to our Caledonian sleeper episodes, because we've got two episodes about the Caledonian sleeper.

Speaker 1: 2:40

I will put links to those episodes in the show notes, and Doug's actually done a video as well about a Caledonian sleepover, if you are interested. And obviously I know you're going to do one about the Night Riviera too. But should we head into chatting about the trip and how it went? So anybody who's thinking about it, if you're listening and thinking, oh, I quite fancy this, I quite fancy taking a trip on the Night Riviera, or maybe you're listening to this and you don't know what the Night Riviera is.

Speaker 3: 3:06

That's true.

Speaker 1: 3:07

Yeah, so do you want to tell everybody what the Night Riviera is and why you wanted to do this particular?

Speaker 3: 3:16

UK sleeper train. Yeah, okay. So the Night Riviera is the Great Western Railway sleeper service, as you say. It runs from London, paddington down to Penzance, which is in the tip of Cornwall. So the night Vivio is one of only two sleep services, one in the UK you've got the Caledonian sleeper, which runs from London, houston to what several locations. In Scotland you have the lowlander or the Highlander sleeper. So the night Riviera Sleeper is one that I've never taken. I've travelled on the same train route many, many times over many years but I've never actually got round to taking the Night Riviera. Now, the reason that this runs is because Cornwall is quite remote. I think it catches a few people out when we've done consults just how far from London Cornwall is.

Speaker 1: 4:04

I think it catches most people out when we do consults. It's always a surprise. It's always when people ask questions in the group as well. We're kind of like do you realise how far away Cornwall is? And yeah, I just yeah. I think that people don't realise actually.

Speaker 3: 4:18

That's true, yeah.

Speaker 1: 4:20

So where does the service leave from and travel to?

Speaker 3: 4:23

Okay. So the service leaves from London Paddington down to Penzance. It leaves at 23.45 or quarter to the midnight Sunday to Friday. It doesn't run on a Saturday night but it does leave five minutes later on a Sunday night. Now the service is run by Great Western Railway and it takes between seven and a half eight hours ish. So the stops include reading, exodus, david's, new nabot plymouth list cars and hostel and then stations down the cornish mainline to penzance. So you're right what you said earlier the, the one I caught, had about 10 minute delay heading into Penzance. There's some engineering works just cause a little bit of delays. So I checked this in advance. I knew exactly what to expect. I check on real time trains, so a bit more sort of technical information about the train. So a typical rail nerd I was looking at actually how it was running, where it was going, what the load codes were, et cetera, et cetera.

Speaker 1: 5:26

Okay, so you got you kind of arrived a little bit late, but not very much, but did you, did you leave on time?

Speaker 3: 5:33

left on time okay perfect.

Speaker 1: 5:36

Let's bang on time okay, so how easy was it to book and how far in advance did you book it?

Speaker 3: 5:43

so this is actually really really incredibly easy. So the great western railway website you can book it on there or, if you went through national rail inquiries, it will direct you to that site. So if you're on to the great western railway site, it's just for all train tickets and there's a little search box on the right hand side. It's like a little green box. Just type in that riviera there and it just takes you straight to the page and you're booking when you want. I think I booked it about a month ago, do you think?

Speaker 1: 6:10

yeah, I think so. I know. Yeah, because, well, we did book the flight for you to the uk until not that long ago.

Speaker 3: 6:16

Yeah, so it's one of the first things I booked, though, wasn't it?

Speaker 1: 6:18

I think, yeah, it was because I know you wanted to do it and because we've been asked quite a lot in the Facebook group and we actually have had emails asking about wanting to know a little bit more about the Night Riviera, so that was another reason. You were kind of like no, we need to do this one, and obviously as I mentioned before, you're doing a lot of videos, so this will be going on YouTube as well.

Speaker 3: 6:37

That's right.

Speaker 1: 6:46

I took a lot of videos and sort of video footage, footage. He just needs me to edit it now then, yeah, well, you will get it edited and it will get put on on youtube on the uk travel plan and uh youtube, uh channel. So do look out for that. If you're listening to this and thinking, oh, I want to actually see what this looks like, right, so let's, let's go to paddington station. So you arrive at paddington station and you're going to catch the train, so what sort of facilities are available for passengers when they arrive at Paddington, before they actually get on the train?

Speaker 3: 7:07

Okay. So I arrived probably very early, to be fair, about 8 o'clock. I arrived in the evening, but I was taking footage of videos and things like that. So I came on the underground on the district line. So you walk straight up into the concourse and then, as you're standing looking at the trains departing because it's a terminus station paddington is on the left-hand side of the station you've got platform one, okay, so on that side of the platform you have the first class lounge for great western railway.

Speaker 3: 7:39

If you are a paying passenger for the uh night riviera, you have access to those facilities. That opens at 9 00 pm, 2100 hours. That opens and inside there there is hot and cold drinks, snacks, fruit, showers, which. Are they going to have a look around? I've got videos of them and I did ask. Yes, they do provide towels as well and very good, good, separate Wi-Fi to the station, wi-fi which is also very, very good. It's actually very fast and the staff were absolutely lovely. Everybody I met in there was friendly, it's well lit, it's light, just perfect. So that's there. On the right-hand side of the station is the public, the toilets and the washrooms to everybody, and there's showers in there as well, if you should want to use those ones instead, but I don't see why you would want to.

Speaker 1: 8:32

But I'm also going to mention in Platform 1 as well, there's also something famous that you'll probably want to have a photo next to.

Speaker 3: 8:39

Which is right next to the first-class lounge. Would that be a little bear by any chance?

Speaker 1: 8:44

it is, it is. So don't miss that. Don't miss having a photo with paddington bear. You just can't. And so absolutely go and take your picture with paddington bear before you go into the lounge yeah, because you're on the subject of that lovely little bear.

Speaker 3: 8:57

Yeah, I will also mention I'll come on to the shops and things later but inside the like the shops area, the food area, there's an actual paddington shop. Now I went in there and, quite frankly, I became a little boy again because, there's so much, so much merchandise for paddington.

Speaker 3: 9:19

It's actually a joy to be in there. And because I actually got in there a bit later, I was the only one in there so I was talking to the security guard in there. And because I actually got in them a bit later, I was the only one in there so I was trying to the security guard in there. And you're saying you'd be surprised, you'd expect all children to come in here. But believe it or not, there's as many, or if not more, adults coming here than you ever see children yeah, but who doesn't love paddington?

Speaker 3: 9:41

I mean I've been traveling around the yeah, I've been traveling around paddington.

Speaker 1: 9:45

If you've been following on instagram, you'll know that I've been traveling around the whole of the uk with paddington. We've been all sorts of places and if you don't know what I'm talking about, you need to go and check out instagram because it's been a lot of fun, absolutely a lot of fun. Now, as well as paddington, obviously, there are shops, bars, cafes at paddington. Are they still open? Because it's quite late when you're getting there to take the train. So, you know, can you get meal and drink before you're bored?

Speaker 3: 10:10

You can. What I did. I went to the shopping shop area two or three times just to see what was open and then what was closing. So obviously, when I got there at 8 pm, all the fast food and all the shops, everything's still open. I went back about 10, 10 o'clock, quarter past 10 around that time and mark's expenses were short. The palatine shop was still open. Some of the food stores were closed. Sainsbury's, the supermarket in the uk, that was open till midnight. So, yes, you can still get food and drink in there and some of the fast food shops are still open and I think there's a cake shop still open as well. So there is still some range, still some variety.

Speaker 1: 10:56

You can actually get some if you want to at that time of night that's good, so you can go and stock up before you actually board the train and get into your room. So you know what time does that actually happen? What time can you get on the train?

Speaker 3: 11:10

OK, so the official time is 22.30. That's half past 10 at night. Ok, so I was led to believe that the train usually departs off Platform 1., like I said, where the lounge is, where paddington statue is, but also occasionally it leaves our platform eight, which is obviously just further along. So I walked across there just after 10 o'clock, take some photos and videos of the train and have a look at the loco locomotives.

Speaker 3: 11:38

But that's just me and I was talking to two of the birth attendants and they said, yes, it's 2230 rigid, but they let me on sort of five to ten minutes earlier so I can walk down the train and I can look at the photos. You know, take some photos and videos, you know, ready for the YouTube. So it's very straightforward. That's all I have to say. Everything is straightforward. There's nothing complex, there's nothing complicated, it's open space. The train arrives early. You've got good, clear sight. It's on the notice boards. There's also departure boards and screens within the first class lounge so you don't have to walk out to see what the train's in. They actually put it on the screen in there. The train has arrived.

Speaker 3: 12:23

So myself and a few others decided to have a walk out all together to have a look at the train. Some people were moving a bit slower. They wanted to take more time to actually reassure themselves that they're heading to the right area for the train. So you walk from platform one to platform eight, a matter of a minute or two to walk and then it's open access on to the that part of the station. So there's no ticket check, there's no reservation check to walk actually towards the train itself. That is done when you actually come to board and they open, unlock the doors at 10 30 so you can actually be led into your birth. Not room, not cabin, it is a birth on the train.

Speaker 1: 13:07

That's the correct terminology so how do you get into your birth, though? Do they? Do they give you a card or something? How is it? How does it work?

Speaker 3: 13:14

yeah. So I was allowed to board the train sort of five, ten minutes earlier to take photos and videos. So at 10 30 they unlock the central, locking the lights on the side of the train come on it's called a camp rail light that comes on and then the birth attendant steps out and they check your name, your reservation and they here's the thing I should really impress me they physically Guide you and take you to your birth. So there's not your own birth, number 15 is down there. They physically walk on with you, hand you a key card which is similar to a hotel key card which we've all seen, show you how to open the door, show you how to use the key, and then they open the door and then give you a quick overview of what's there and how it works. You know, we all expect, you know plugs, sockets and usbs, but there's water, there's the sink in the corner and how to use the blind. Everything is explained to you.

Speaker 3: 14:16

And I asked about temperature control in there and it's just a simple blue or red toggle switch and you just move it up and down as to how you want it. Straightforward and simple. The birth size is quite small, it's more for two, but because I was traveling on my own. It's just nice and cozy and the top birth a bunk in the birth is already put back, so it's just a one seating birth which has had the um like a blanket and duvet and two pillows on there. I changed ends with it because I wanted to be the opposite end, uh, to sleep, which obviously is your choice, and there's three, lots of lighting in there and they just find the perfect one. One's a reading light, so it's all just nice and straightforward.

Speaker 3: 15:02

You know there's nothing complicated about the settle and so I left my things in the room and I wanted to explore and got some more photos and videos and, um, and actually I was talking to two of the birth attendants. There was a there's a lady in mine and there was one uh guy further down who identified himself as del boy with the. Both of them was so helpful, so kind, and you know I just can't sing their praises enough. Actually, after the, after the journey, I've actually been online and given feedback on both of them because they were just so kind. We wanted to make sure everything for everybody. I heard them. It wasn't just for me. I heard them introducing other people. A lot of trouble, uh, to make sure everybody was happy. You know, before I say abandoned that that sounds wrong, but left them to their own yeah, did they ask about breakfast?

Speaker 1: 15:55

because I know obviously when we get the caledonian sleeper you get there's a. You have to fill in the the information about breakfast on the door your menu card that's it, so is it the same. Ah, is it the same yeah no, no, it's not.

Speaker 3: 16:06

It's not so much, it's entirely different. So, part of that introduction into the into your birth, they ask about breakfast. To run through the the items available, it's your cereal and your porridge, and it was a sausage, a cob or bat any way you're from in the uk and tea or coffee or juice. So I ordered a sausage and a cob and obviously tea, just without saying.

Speaker 1: 16:31

And.

Speaker 3: 16:31

I also asked could I possibly have it in the lounge car? Okay, which was further down the trail. I'll explain the train configuration in a second. But that was further down the train because I was in coach E and that is in coach C. Okay, so two down and absolutely no problem whatsoever. So I ordered my breakfast of a sausage, back pork up and cups of tea, and I'll arrange the time. I was over at a quarter to seven in the morning and the train should have arrived at ten to eight, so I had an hour thinking by that time looking at real-time trains. I knew where the train was going to be at that time. So just as we're approaching the sort of the Cornish main line, I'll be hopefully starting to get a bit light, so I'd see a bit more than I possibly might have done sitting in the in the cabin in the berth.

Speaker 1: 17:24

Okay, so how was the journey up to that point? Obviously we're kind of you've got on, you've been in the birth, you've you've sorted out what you did for breakfast, but so we know what you're going to do when you wake up. But tell us what it was like on. Was it did it? Was it rocky? Was it how? What was it like?

Speaker 3: 17:40

well, I have to tell you, because we've experienced many sleepers around the world, and not just the Caledonian Sleeper on numerous occasions this was the smoothest sleeper service I have ever been on. Now, part of that is a bit of a sad fact. The two Class 57 Locos, one at the front and one at the back, they only have a maximum speed of 75 miles an hour. So I think the slower speed actually contributes to it. These are mark three coaches refurbished.

Speaker 3: 18:12

I actually worked on these in the mid eighties, but that that's that's another story. So it was not balanced that. You know, when we've been on the caledon sleeper, once or twice you've had sort of severe big jolts, haven't you, which just sort of made it a bit tricky. But this was smooth. Okay, you've got the normal rock and rolling type thing, but far less than I've experienced before. So, because the train leaves at quarter to 12, quarter to midnight, I think, about half past 12, quarter to 1, I was all tucked up in bed, then woke and went to sleep and the next thing I I woke up. I think it was about half past five, quarter six. So you know I had a good few hours sleep, but I slept straight through. There was quiet, there was no noise um I think we do.

Speaker 1: 18:59

I think we do sleep pretty well on on the trains, even if they're a bit rocky. I mean, I think the first ever caledonian sleep I took was probably a little bit more rocky than the ones I've taken recently, but I think the first ever caledonian super I took was probably a little bit more rocky than the ones I've taken recently. But I think we're both pretty good at sleep. And then you wear your earplugs, so you anyway, you don't hear any noise, so you make sure that you're kind of sorted for that I'm glad you mentioned that.

Speaker 3: 19:18

Actually, about earplugs and masks where the caledonian sleepers they provide with a little packet with those in.

Speaker 1: 19:23

There was none provided on the night riviera, so that's one little take your own yeah, take your own, take your own yeah so talk about that bit of that trip down that cornish coastline and into penzance. So, um, I've kind of saved it to this point in the podcast, but I did say at the very beginning if you, if you listened long enough, you'd find out which part of the train, uh, which side of the train to sit on, because we're asked this all the time. In fact I don't know how many times we've given that advice heading up or up to Edinburgh from London, which side to sit on.

Speaker 1: 19:57

So which side do you sit on?

Speaker 3: 20:01

So before I answer that, keep you in suspense. I said I was going to explain the configuration of the train and so that will help with the answer. So, the front of the train, you have then two seating coaches, coaches a and b. They are normal seats which you can use just to sit up all night in essence. So that's just a normal train ticket. You can use your brick rail on that without playing as playing a supplement. That's just normal seats, okay, the one behind coach C there's a little guards van storage area. I think there's a couple of push bikes in there with a little through door and you walk into a lounge area which covers probably over half and there's a array of types of seats on both sides of the train, obviously. And then, coming back, you've got coach d and the first cabin. There is an accessibility friendly cabin door, so it's an automatic door that opens very wide. I've got videos that I'll show that. And then the rest of that carriage and the subsequent ones. They're all the same. There's no first class on the night riviera, it is standard class throughout.

Speaker 3: 21:11

And I was in coach e, the midpoint. So when I ordered my breakfast a sausage cup and a cup of tea. I asked the birth attendant which side was the train was best to sit on. I did know this and kept competing this journey many, many times, but I wanted to hear somebody else say it. He says, yes, sit on the left hand side in the direction of travel, so you've got a nice view of that cornish riviera.

Speaker 3: 21:35

So the train comes all the way down the front and then arrives into penzance, which is also just on the front, um on the coastline there, which is really nice. So I got down there quarter seven for my breakfast. But unfortunately on this morning it was a bit cloudy and a bit misty so it took me longer to actually try and get some photos through the window. But it is overall a better experience if you can sit there and have your breakfast, because it's not takeaway cups, it was proper cups and sauces and a proper plate to have your breakfast because it's it's not, uh, takeaway cups. It was proper cups and sauces and a proper you know a plate without some, you know, if you have your breakfast.

Speaker 3: 22:12

There was no quick convenience type, but I did notice walking the birth tenants walk you past with trays and that's the same trade that was given into burst if you ordered it in your room. But the burst, as lovely as they are, they're only a small window which only give you a little minuscule view of the coastline. So this is experience as taught as this. We've done this before on the caledonian sleeper. We like sitting in the in the club cars, uh, to experience a breakfast on arrival into scotland, which is a bit different if you're not going through coastline, because you know if you're going up to fort william, inverness, you've got beauty on both sides of the train, haven't you?

Speaker 3: 22:49

and so it was really, really, really nice and that it's just so relaxing. But there's one good thing I'll add to that it was such a lovely feel and vibe within that, within that lounge car. It's hard to explain unless you're there, but there's a few families, the staff the steward in there was so friendly to people and all the birth attendants walking up they were just chatting to people. It was just such a friendly vibe. A few people saying good morning as they walked past and one lady says to me oh, you're traveling alone, where are you going? And it was just nice.

Speaker 3: 23:23

I mean, that's one thing we love about train travel anyway. It's just such a friendly approach from people. But what I did do and here's a little tip is I had all my bag packed. I mean I'll travel light anyway, but I left that in the room and I did not hand my key car back in until we arrived. As little bins like little post boxes throughout the train, you put that in when you leave the train, which they expect you to get out and vacate your room pretty soon on arrival into penzance I was going to ask you that.

Speaker 1: 24:20

That was one thing I was going to say. So you kind of do they?

Speaker 3: 24:22

do they give you a bit of a warning, or sort of 20 minutes, 10 minutes before you actually arrive oh yeah, there's announcements all the way, because when they hit those last few stations on the Cornish Riviera down there, there was announcements saying no, we're just arriving here and we're on time, we're a few minutes late, that sort of thing, apologies for the delay. And then, as we're coming around the front towards Penzance Railway Station, there's a further announcement, very clear announcement, that we are arriving 10 minutes late. Reason is given for the delay. Please can you vacate your room as quickly as possible? So this gives you plenty of notice there. But the train wasn't full, so even when the train pulled into the station, it glided very slowly because it's a termless station. It's a very relaxed atmosphere, people getting out the births.

Speaker 1: 25:13

So I know you had quite a quick turnaround because you were heading back to London, because you wanted to do the return as well for people, but what did you get up to anything in Penzance?

Speaker 3: 25:22

Well, when I was leaving the train, I was talking to the birth attendant and they said they were going to this particular baker's nearby. And I said I was going to this particular baker's nearby. And I said I was going to the wharf sign. They said, well, it's up there. So when I headed there to just get a meal deal and the sandwich stuff to bring back for lunch time though all the staff were there it was like a reunion 10 minutes later. So I thought, well, that's a good advert. That's where they all head to for their breakfast and bring things away as well. I was looking at these cornish pastas. I thought is it too early to have a cornish pasty?

Speaker 3: 25:55

it's never too early for a cornish in the morning never too early for a cornish pasty so did you do anything else apart from getting some food?

Speaker 3: 26:02

well, I had a quick walk around. It was starting to drizzle a bit but I thought, well, I've got, you know, three girls without to kill. So I walked around some of the streets and to the back of the harbor, some little cobalt streets and some back areas, just so atmospheric and just so cornish. It was just so long, but you know it's a bit gray and a bit overcast, so, and then I'll walk back to the station. I wanted to say a bit more from the harbor, but it was just too gray, wet, but I thought I used the entire hour though. Well, I well, I walked around.

Speaker 1: 26:33

Oh, that's good. And obviously you took loads of videos and loads of photos, so they're all going to be available on YouTube as soon as Doug gets this put together, which is not going to be that long.

Speaker 3: 26:43

No, well, I think the point I'll add to that which I missed to say, there's a first-class lounge at Penzance Station, similar, smaller but similar to the one that's at London Paddington. So on arrival, that is open and you can go and have a shower and you can go and have the equal, you know, snacks and drinks, fruit. You're in there just the same as you can at Paddington. Before departure.

Speaker 1: 27:13

Perfect. So after you were in Penzance for an hour or so and then you hopped on the train back to London. Now I know there was a little bit of issues just want to give us a quick summary of what happened and what you did and then how you got back to London.

Speaker 3: 27:22

Yeah, no problem. So I'd got seats reserved. But on arriving back at the station they said that the train was shorter than it should have been, so there was no seat reservations working. So the train left on time and we arrived in time into Paddington. I sat on the right-hand side of the train so I could get views of the Mount Spey and St Michael's Mount, because the weather cleared a little bit by this time. I sat next to a lady who was an author and we had a nice shared experience all the way back to Paddington. It's just a nice journey so that's brilliant.

Speaker 1: 27:55

So I know there was a little bit you mentioned about the fact that the the seat reservations weren't working. So if that happens to anybody and they've got seat, they've made the seat reservations and they get to the station and the seat reservations have been cancelled. And this has happened before when I've taken trains in the UK as well, what advice? Would. Yeah, what? What advice would you give people to how to deal with that?

Speaker 3: 28:16

one of what. If you can find a seat, sit in it, and if you're unhappy to do so and you don't want to board the train, talk to the station staff about what options are open to you perfect, and also I think it's worth mentioning at this point as well that on this particular train, there was then no refreshments.

Speaker 1: 28:34

So I think that's again what we said earlier about making sure that you know you went and did all that shopping and made sure you had stuff to eat and drink that it's very important that you do take your own refreshments.

Speaker 3: 28:44

Most definitely so. There was a refreshment trolley but the train was busy so we couldn't get down, so they made the announcement. Ok, so could you go down to the trolley to get stuff, or was it difficult?

Speaker 1: 28:58

you could do if you could get there right, so that made it more difficult. Okay, so there's a good couple of points that you know from doug there about if the suit reservations aren't working, and again about taking your own refreshments. But let's swing back to the night reverie, because that's what this podcast is all about. So obviously you had a great time and I'm really jealous and I'm now gonna have to do the night rivera when I'm back in the uk, for sure I would definitely recommend it yeah, we'll do it together.

Speaker 1: 29:20

So we'll make sure we'll do it together next time and we'll take more videos so you can have another youtube video. But anyway, um, you will be making a youtube video of this and you're getting this out as soon as you can and so do check um, if you listen to this episode, to see if it's already on our youtube channel. Uk travel planning um. But if somebody's considering booking on the night riviera, what would be your one tip that you'd share with them?

Speaker 3: 29:43

oh, okay. Well, I think the best tip really to get the most of the whole experience is to arrive at paddington in good early time, because the first class lounge is worth sitting in. There's some lovely comfortable chairs, nice relaxing area. Um, you've got your food and drinks, some snacks and fruit, etc. I've already said, and it's just worth embracing that whole experience and in. If the train departs on platform one or eight, doesn't matter, you're allowed to get near the train and he is all very relaxed and civilized, if you know what I mean. There's no stress, there's no rush, there's no hassle. Um, the staff everywhere I came across, from the lounge and on board the train, was so lovely. So, yes, my big tip is get there early, don't rush yourself, just use the facilities available to you and you've actually paid for yeah, and I think my tip sounds like go on the night Riviera if you're going to head down to Penzance.

Speaker 1: 30:45

It sounds like such a lot of fun and you know we love we, we absolutely love um sleeper trains. So, um, as I say, I'm really jealous that you've done this. So if you're listening to this and you have taken the night rivera, leave us a message on speakpipe and let us know about your experience. Or if you're listening to this and thinking I now want to do the night rivera again, jump on the speakpipe and leave us a message, because we love to hear from you about your trips or about what you want to do.

Speaker 3: 31:13

You know when you say just one tip.

Speaker 1: 31:15

Yeah.

Speaker 3: 31:16

I've actually got another.

Speaker 1: 31:17

Okay.

Speaker 3: 31:18

I would say also, a good tip is I've already said get your breakfast delivered to the lounge car.

Speaker 1: 31:24

Yeah, okay, well, we'll definitely do that, so you're only supposed to have one tip. That's all we generally allow, but I'll let you off, thank you.

Speaker 1: 31:37

I only supposed to have one tip. That's always generally allowed, but I'll let you off. Thank you, I'll let you off. So, um, yeah, so I'll put links in the show notes to things that you talked about, the different websites that you mentioned to find out about, kind of, what's going on with the trains, to book the night riviera train. Um, yeah, so I'll put all those sorts of links in there, links to the video as well and some photos that doug's from this trip, so you can have a look at those UK travel planning show notes. Otherwise, it sounds like you're just having an absolutely brilliant time.

Speaker 3: 31:59

I am, because that's just one journey. I'm out traveling by train every day. I went to Stratford yesterday. I've got Oxford, I've got Bath, so all of these things are going in YouTube videos.

Speaker 1: 32:08

I know. So definitely go and check, honestly, go and subscribe to our YouTube channel it's going to be great and also check out on the website as well, because we have a train travel hub on the website which has got links to all our articles and we've got a lot of articles about that. Doug's written all about train travel around the UK. We've obviously got we've also got our UK train travel as well eBooks. You can access that and we're about to this episode's going out. We're recording this a couple of weeks ahead, but by the time this episode goes out, we're going to have consults open for January and February next year. So if you want to chat to Doug about planning your trip around the UK by train or you've got questions, come and chat. Book an itinerary review, book a consult and, yeah, come and chat to us about your train travels.

Speaker 3: 32:53

Definitely.

Speaker 1: 32:55

I guess that just leaves me to say, as always, until next week happy UK travel planning. Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of the UK travel planning podcast. As always, show notes can be found at uktravelplanningcom. If you've enjoyed the show, why not leave us feedback via text or a review on your favourite podcast app? We love to hear from you and you never know. You may receive a shout out in a future episode, but, as always, that just leaves me to say until next week. Happy UK travel planning.