Two of the British Railways advertisements for Camping Coaches which commenced in the 1930's and continued through the 1950's but declined with the growth of the package holiday, car ownership and jet planes! [000] [002]

Camping Coaches provide delightful and inexpensive holidays.

• Holidays in specially selected places in England, Scotland and Wales.
• Out of doors camping holiday with the comfort of well-appointed living accommodation at reasonable cost.
• A cheap and ideal holiday for the family.
• A real change for the family.

c.1956 - St. Agnes - Camping Coach Holiday - As a railway family, our father was entitled to seven free passes per year, each of which allowed the entire family to travel throughout the UK free of charge. Also, the camping coaches of Devon and Cornwall were available to be booked at minimal rates and as I recall up to about 8 people could be accommodated. We spent our family holidays in the 1950's at places such as St Agnes, Dawlish Warren, Loddiswell, Marazion and St. Agnes. These coaches were usually situated next to the main railway line and station in a siding. At Dawlish Warren, I recall crossing Mr. Brunel's railway line (after checking that no steam express trains were coming!) directly onto the wonderful sandy beach and playing for hours without another person in sight.

The carriages were ex-sleeper stock, complete with bunk beds. Some of the partitions were cleared away to make a large dining area plus kitchen area complete with a full width, polished, brass and copper-work, paraffin-fueled range for cooking. The colourised photograph above is of me at age 5 or 6 years reading a story to my teddy bear! [001]