Copyright manchestereveningnews
A “posh” train will be heading to destinations across the UK this Christmas and people are “desperate” to get on board - but there’s a catch. There are a wide range of luxury rail journeys available across the UK, typically taking place on vintage refurbished and styled carriages with decadent food served . These swanky trains allow ticket holders to glimpse the natural beauty of some of the UK’s most famous and picturesque towns and cities while indulging in the comfort and beauty of an intricately detailed, comfortable and opulent train journey. The Northern Belle is one luxury train that’s proving very popular. It offers passengers a taste of 1930s-style rail travel, with sympathetically restored carriages with ornate details, and the option for people to book scenic trips or to stop off at destinations for exploring . The company serves gourmet meals alongside fine wine, while musicians play to diners to get them fully immersed in the experience. Recently, news of upcoming trips this festive season was shared on Instagram. Posting a carousel of images of the lavish train, Secret Manchester wrote: “This opulent train promises guests an unforgettable festive journey, complete with fine dining, live entertainment, and interiors inspired by the iconic Orient Express”. But there is a catch - it comes with a hefty price tag. Tickets start at around £395 per person, depending on the journey chosen. Booking a Christmas Lunch on the Northern Belle luxury train has a range of ticket options, with the cheapest (£395) including a round-trip on board with a Champagne welcome alongside a “signature cocktail and small-bite pairing and caviar blinis”. Ticket holders will then be able to indulge in a seven-course Christmas lunch made up of “a British seasonal table d’hôte menu featuring an award-winning Great British cheeseboard with port, a delicious dessert, and a selection of petits fours”. There’s also a bottle of wine per couple, Fortnum & Mason tea and Northern Belle blend coffee, and entertainment provided in the form of “a table magician and strolling musicians”. There’s a vast array of destinations to choose from up and down the UK, with a round trip covering Manchester, Huddersfield and Leeds available on several dates throughout November and December. Ticket holders can also book a trip kicking off in Chester and covering Liverpool, Wigan and Preston, or they can step aboard for a London journey. The Northern Belle also has journeys in Hull, Norwich, Coventry, Grantham, and many more towns and cities nationwide. There’s also the option to go Christmas shopping in cities like Edinburgh and York. Instagram users shared their thoughts in the comments section beneath Secret Manchester’s post. One person joked: “Is this the last train home from Blackpool on a Saturday? That’s proper posh.” Another branded it “dope” while someone else said: “I’m so desperate to do this! I bet it’s worth every penny, especially at Christmas when the views will be so wintery and beautiful”. Others simply tagged their friends to direct them to the post.
