10/10 Excellent
Ian R.
14 Feb 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely peaceful place
Ian R.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Entire home
Renovated Railway Signal Box In A Tranquil Location & perfect for stargazing
Photo gallery for Renovated Railway Signal Box In A Tranquil Location & perfect for stargazing
Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Cliburn, Penrith, Cumbria
- Whinfell Forest12 min drive
- Ullswater14 min drive
- Lowther Castle and Gardens18 min drive
- Carlisle (CAX)52 min drive
Rooms & beds
1 bedroom (sleeps 4)
Bedroom
1 Double Bed
Living Room 1
1 Double Sofa Bed
Bathroom 1
Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Kitchen
Garden
About this property
Renovated Railway Signal Box In A Tranquil Location & perfect for stargazing
Cliburn Signal Box is a quirky, upside down, luxury holiday cottage. Once a working part of the Eden Valley Railway line, the Signal Box nestles at the bottom of Whinfell Forest, between the market towns of Penrith and Appleby, in the beautiful (but often forgotten) Eden Valley. It is the perfect location to relax, enjoy, explore and with very little light pollution it is just perfect for stargazing.
Property manager
Mr Gavin Matier
Premier Host
Languages
English
Protect your payment — always book on Vrbo
If someone asks you to book through them or pay them directly before you book on Vrbo, report it.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Have a question?
BetaGet instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
Renovated Railway Weigh Office In A Tranquil Location and perfect for Stargazing
Renovated Railway Weigh Office In A Tranquil Location and perfect for Stargazing
- Kitchen
- Washer
- Pet-friendly
- Free WiFi
10.0 out of 10, (56 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Please be aware the Signal Box has stairs
Events
No events allowed
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Well behaved pets welcome Fee £10 per dog per stay
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Penrith
Located in Penrith, this cottage is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Yorkshire Dales National Park and Ullswater. Acorn Bank and Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre are also worth visiting. Windsurfing and sailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking and hiking/biking trails nearby.
Cliburn, Penrith, Cumbria
What's nearby
- Lowther Park - 7 min drive - 8.2 km
- Penrith Castle - 11 min drive - 12.1 km
- Whinfell Forest - 12 min drive - 5.5 km
- Ullswater - 14 min drive - 16.3 km
- Lowther Castle and Gardens - 18 min drive - 11.4 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Tim Hortons - 9 min drive
- Sports Cafe - 16 min drive
- The Dog Beck - 10 min drive
- Lakeside Inn - 14 min drive
- Leisure Bowl - 11 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Michael C.
26 Feb 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic February short break!
Michael C.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Darren C.
31 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice and quiet!
Darren C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Heather W.
26 Jul 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect place
Heather W.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Michael W.
17 Nov 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent weekend.
Michael W.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
Sarah B.
7 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Few days in the Lakes...
Sarah B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Rachel H.
1 Nov 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful, relaxing place to stay
Rachel H.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Natalie F.
31 Jan 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little break away
Natalie F.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jean mary m.
29 Apr 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent
Jean mary m.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
8/10 Good
Bette D.
21 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent
Bette D.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Tim M.
30 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent accommodation -
Tim M.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Darren C.
4 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing Stay
Darren C.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
TOM A.
21 Oct 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyable stay
TOM A.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Eleanor R.
3 Jul 2018
Great place to stay
Eleanor R.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018
10/10 Excellent
Liam W.
24 Oct 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay.
Liam W.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Leslie P.
26 Jul 2018
Location was fabulous and the property was very clean and tidy.
Leslie P.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018
10/10 Excellent
Richard A.
4 May 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cliburn Signal Box with a difference.
Richard A.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024
10/10 Excellent
Thomas E.
25 Oct 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Short break for me and the boys
Thomas E.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Gail M., Derby
13 Nov 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent!
Gail M.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
10/10 Excellent
Sarah J.
12 Feb 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hidden Gem
Sarah J.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
nicola P.
28 Oct 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An amazing stay in a quirky converted signal box.
nicola P.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Karen S., Sydney, Australia
25 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unique stay in a beautiful location.
Karen S.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Patricia M.
9 Aug 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic stay!
Patricia M.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
10/10 Excellent
Lorna T.
17 Jul 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Signal Box
Lorna T.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
ray w.
27 Mar 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Top notch
ray w.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
About the host
Hosted by Mr Gavin Matier
We moved into the property on 1st October 2004, leaving city life behind, in search of a more peaceful and fulfilling life, for both ourselves and our two children, Elliott and Jasmine.
Gavin, born in Northern Ireland, left Limavady in 1987 to study at Bradford University. There he qualified as a Pharmacist in 1991 and is the Pharmacy Manager at Sainsbury's Penrith.
Wendy, born in Tyldesley, Manchester left in 1989 to study at Bradford University. There she qualified as a Pharmacist in 1994 and is now the Pharmacy Manager at Green Tree Pharmacy, Kirkby Stephen.
Whilst working in Leeds, we met in 1992 and married 25th August 1996. In July 1999 Elliott was born and in February 2002 Jasmine was born. It was at this point we decided to leave the city life behind and moved to Cliburn.
Gavin, born in Northern Ireland, left Limavady in 1987 to study at Bradford University. There he qualified as a Pharmacist in 1991 and is the Pharmacy Manager at Sainsbury's Penrith.
Wendy, born in Tyldesley, Manchester left in 1989 to study at Bradford University. There she qualified as a Pharmacist in 1994 and is now the Pharmacy Manager at Green Tree Pharmacy, Kirkby Stephen.
Whilst working in Leeds, we met in 1992 and married 25th August 1996. In July 1999 Elliott was born and in February 2002 Jasmine was born. It was at this point we decided to leave the city life behind and moved to Cliburn.
Why they chose this property
Wendy and I fell in love with both the location and character of the building when we first saw it.
We loved it so much we live in the Station House beside the Signal Box and decided to renovate it, so others could enjoy it as much as us.
We loved it so much we live in the Station House beside the Signal Box and decided to renovate it, so others could enjoy it as much as us.
What makes this property unique
We live beside the Signal Box all year round and often forget just how lucky we are to live here.
To us peace, tranquility and seclusion are the norm. We step outside our back door into beautiful countryside and a 50m walk has us strolling in Whinfell Forest, where we regularly see the local red squirrels, roe deer, owls, buzzards, pheasants, great crested newts and an abundance of other wildlife. At night little light pollution means that we can stargaze and if that wasn't enough, a short drive and we are walking up one of the many fells or playing in one of the lakes.
What more could you ask for?
To us peace, tranquility and seclusion are the norm. We step outside our back door into beautiful countryside and a 50m walk has us strolling in Whinfell Forest, where we regularly see the local red squirrels, roe deer, owls, buzzards, pheasants, great crested newts and an abundance of other wildlife. At night little light pollution means that we can stargaze and if that wasn't enough, a short drive and we are walking up one of the many fells or playing in one of the lakes.
What more could you ask for?
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback