false
Gallery

Coalport Station Holidays

England · Shropshire · Ironbridge
map

The home of two magnificently transformed train carriages with top-notch facilities and the River Severn down the road, this is one railway station you’ll want to spend time at

  • Sleeps 10
  • 5 bedrooms
  • 4 bathrooms
SAVE TO WISHLIST
£700-1260 per week

more

Please note that the minimum stay for this property is 2 nights

Coalport Station Holidays is owned and managed by Lisa Rawlings.

You can ask a question or make a booking request directly with Lisa Rawlings.

Request To Book
Last minute deals available

Time sensitive - don't hang around...

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Arrive tomorrow

4 guests · 2 nights

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Arrive tomorrow

4 guests · 3 nights

Stay at Carriage 1 - at Coalport Station Holidays

This Monday 25th Nov

6 guests · 4 nights

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

This Friday 29th Nov

4 guests · 2 nights

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

This Friday 29th Nov

4 guests · 3 nights

Stay at Carriage 1 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Next Monday 2nd Dec

6 guests · 4 nights

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Fri 6th Dec

4 guests · 2 nights

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Fri 6th Dec

4 guests · 3 nights

Stay at Carriage 1 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Mon 9th Dec

6 guests · 4 nights

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Fri 13th Dec

4 guests · 3 nights

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Fri 13th Dec

4 guests · 2 nights

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Mon 16th Dec

4 guests · 4 nights

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Fri 20th Dec

4 guests · 2 nights

Stay at Carriage 2 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Fri 20th Dec

4 guests · 3 nights

Stay at Carriage 1 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Fri 20th Dec

6 guests · 2 nights

Stay at Carriage 1 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Fri 20th Dec

6 guests · 3 nights

Stay at Carriage 1 - at Coalport Station Holidays

Mon 23rd Dec

6 guests · 4 nights

Exterior 1 - View as guests are welcomed to on site from the Carriage car-park

Show all 26 images

Highlights
  • Sumptuous bedrooms with en suite bathrooms can be found in both carriages, complete with whirlpool baths
  • Each carriage is equipped with high-quality tech, from TVs and DVD players to excellent kitchen appliances
  • Parking is available on site, so it will be easy to go off and explore Ironbridge, Telford, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Much Wenlock
  • A beautiful wildflower meadow right outside, and four acres of woodland, set the scene for a delightfully peaceful break in this Shropshire village
Exterior 1 - View as guests are welcomed to on site from the Carriage car-park

Show all 26 images

Show all 26 images

You should know
  • Smoking is not permitted in the carriages, or anywhere in the wooded grounds
  • Unfortunately, pets are not allowed
  • This property is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchair users
Ext. 3 view of front of house and carriages from the roa

Show all 26 images

Int. 2a carriage 1 lounge

Show all 26 images

This pair of wonderfully transformed train carriages are situated in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge, on the site of a real, former railway station named Coalport. The high standard of the renovations is evident in both carriages, which accommodate up to six and four respectively.

With parking on site, a garden and four acres of woodland to explore, the carriages sit in a pleasant setting, with local pubs just a stone’s throw from the River Severn. The village of Coalport is a lovely place to take a stroll, surrounded by beautiful scenery, and lies within walking distance from the famous Ironbridge Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Still very identifiable as a station (complete with track), Coalport Station is easy to find. On arrival, there are plenty of surprises to be found in your carriage. With air-conditioning in the lounge and master bedroom, Carriage 1 features a large leather sofa in the seating area, a 40-inch TV with Freeview, plus a music system.

The kitchen is similarly impressive, with Bosch appliances including a double oven, washing machine, full-size dishwasher and fridge freezer. The master bedroom features an en suite with whirlpool bath, plus wardrobe, TV and more storage, while a second and third bedroom feature a pair of twin beds each, with reading lamps and electric oil radiators. You won’t have seen too many rail carriages like that recently.

Carriage 2 is similarly appealing but smaller, with two bedrooms with their own TVs - both en suites are large wet rooms with a whirlpool bath and walk-in power shower. This time the kitchen is all AEG, with lots of cool things like a microwave, fan-assisted oven and halogen ceramic hob, plus a dining table and chairs. It all flows seamlessly to the living area with TV and hugely comfy seating. There is also air con in each bedroom.

An extensive menu of ever-changing delights awaits you at the nearby Woodbridge Inn – it’s only 100m from the station – and it’s pretty good for a beer overlooking the river too. Visitors flock to Ironbridge, the birthplace of UK industry, so you’ll have no trouble finding a bite to eat there either, but there’s much more than the bridge itself to see. Ten fascinating museums and the Blists Hill Victorian Town provide an illuminating experience, and be sure to take a peek down the Tar Tunnel – which, with its sticky, bitumen-stained walls, does exactly what it says on the tin.

Features
Essential
  • Air Conditioning
  • Baby Friendly
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
  • Internet / Wi-Fi
  • Heating
  • No Smoking
Bed/Bath
  • Bath
  • Cot
  • Hairdryer
  • Shower
  • Towels (bath)
Tech
  • DVD Player
  • Satellite TV/Freeview
  • Television
Outside
  • Garden/Outdoor Space
Also Available
  • Walking distance to pub
£700-1260 per week
more

Please note that the minimum stay for this property is 2 nights

SAVE TO WISHLIST
Availability

Coalport Station Holidays is owned and managed by Lisa Rawlings.

You can ask a question or make a booking request directly with Lisa Rawlings.

Request To Book
On the map
Detailed pricing info

Bookings commence on a Friday or Monday or Saturday (2 night stay only).

The weekly cost of a stay in one of the carriages is priced between £700 and £1260 depending on the time of year.

Prices for a weekend break start from as little as £440 for a 2 night; our typical weekend break commences on a Friday at 3 pm and finishes on Sunday at 1 pm, to extend your stay until Monday at 10 is only an extra £50

We also offer short breaks of 4 nights commencing on Monday 3 pm until Friday 10 am prices starting from £440
Pricing 2024; Weeks £700 - £1260, Weekends £440 - £880, Weekend booking; £440 - £920, Friday-Sunday; (it’s only an extra £50 for the Sunday night). Short Breaks (Mon - Fri - 4 nights) £440 - £880

We also publish weekly special offers and late deals from our website.
We will also consider other dates, please use the contact us our website.
Longer Stays Available -> in Low Season

There are a number of discount schemes for the Military, Blue Light Members etc use our Contact Us form on our website.

Click Check Availability, make sure your dates are possible and click Check Price. Then you can make an online booking, there is a link for all the Special Offers too.

Coalport Station Holidays - your ticket to an extraordinary experience.

Coalport Station Holidays offers exceptional self-catering accommodation in two railway carriages on the grounds of the old Great Western Railway at Coalport. Come and stay in one of the renovated railway carriages and relax in comfort surrounded by two acres of beautiful woodland.

From the outside, the carriages look like historic GWR rolling stock, but on the inside, they offer the ultimate in modern holiday accommodation. This peaceful setting is also within walking distance of excellent quality food and traditional ales.
Whether it’s a short break or a full week, you are assured a warm welcome.

You will find Coalport Station located in the heart of Shropshire’s stunning Ironbridge Gorge (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its 10 family-friendly museums within a 5-mile radius. The picturesque surroundings of the river Severn provide many activities to suit a wide range of interests. Locally you will find the market towns of Much Wenlock (5 miles), Bridgnorth (8 miles), where you can hop on the Severn Valley Railway or slightly further afield you the county town of Shrewsbury.

Whatever the weather, the Severn Valley is nature’s playground, offering fun and adventure for all!

Facilities include; onsite dedicated parking for 7 spaces, Wi-Fi, central and electric heating, air-conditioning, cotton bed linen and towels.

Suitable for all ages. No smoking. Sorry, no pets.

Availability
Carriage 2
November 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
December 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
January 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
February 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 
March 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
 
April 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
May 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
June 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
 
 
July 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
August 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
 
October 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
November 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
January 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
February 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
March 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
April 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
May 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
 
July 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
August 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
 
September 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
October 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
Carriage 1
November 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
December 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
January 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
February 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 
March 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
 
April 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
May 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
June 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
 
 
July 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
August 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
 
October 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
November 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
January 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
February 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
March 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
April 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
May 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
 
July 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
August 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 
 
 
 
 
September 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 
 
 
October 2026
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
 
 
 
 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
Reviews

From Previous Guests

Have you stayed here?

Leave a review 
Coolstays user

We had a wonderful stay! Our young boys were so happy sleeping on a train and us parents loved it too. Something different but also homely. Everything you could need both inside the carriage and out. The host was amazing, very friendly and knowledgeable of local area. We have already recommended to our friends/family and hope to be back soon!

Stayed May 2024

Similar places

You may also like

On The Blog

Coalport Station Holidays features in these posts

Coolstays vouchers banner
Type a location to get started