Latest news with #Pullman-style
South Wales Argus
19-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Northern Belle: World's poshest train to run trip from Cardiff
The 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle, once part of the iconic Orient Express group, is a "luxurious yet intimate" train that travels the British countryside en route to some of the country's top destinations. The luxury train features seven beautifully detailed carriages (each bearing the name of a great British castle or stately home) that have been lovingly restored by some of the country's top craftspeople. The Northern Belle website adds: "Beyond the world of ordinary first-class, there has been an almost secret world. "Since the dawn of railways there has existed a world of private luxury trains and only a handful remain. "The Northern Belle is one such Train, and the most luxurious, carefully restored to its former glory by the Venice Simplon-Orient Express." The Northern Belle is regularly voted one of the world's Top Ten trains, while one of the individually hand-decorated carriages is used to form part of the Royal Train. It is even rumoured to contain the late Queen Mother's favourite seat. Actor Bill Nighy also described the train as 'the Grand Dame of luxury travel' when it featured on Channel 5's The World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys. The Northern Belle is regularly voted among the world's top trains. (Image: Cameron Pitts) When to see the Northern Belle in South Wales The Northern Belle is set to run a 'Cornish Lunch via Dawlish' trip from Cardiff on September 19, 2025. Britain's most luxurious train will depart Cardiff Central Station at 10.30am on Friday, September 19, making stops at Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton Stations, before returning at 8pm. Passengers, as well as those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Belle, are advised that these times are "provisional" and are subject to Network Rail confirmation seven days before departure. How to book tickets for the Northern Belle If you want to be onboard the Northern Belle for its 'Cornish Lunch via Dawlish' trip from Cardiff, head to the website to book tickets. Tickets include: A round-trip on the Northern Belle luxury train Welcome Champagne reception including canapés and caviar blinis Seven-course lunch Bottle of wine per couple (Sommelier's Choice) On board entertainment Fortnum & Mason tea and Northern Belle blend coffee Escape the ordinary. ✨ Northern Belle 2025 journeys redefine luxury rail. Vintage carriages, gourmet dining, breathtaking Britain. Book your unforgettable escape: — Northern Belle (@northernbelletr) February 20, 2025 The Northern Belle website adds: "Your day will begin with a red carpet welcome at your departure station where our attentive Stewards will usher you aboard the Northern Belle luxury train for a journey to remember forever. "Once you've been escorted to your plush seat, one of our liveried Stewards will carefully pour a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV Champagne as you study the sumptuous menu. "Ahead lies a journey back to the Golden Days of rail travel, a time when nothing was too good for the pampered passengers." RECOMMENDED READING: Prices Tickets for the Northern Belle Christmas experience cost £445 per passenger. You can also upgrade your ticket to: Laurent-Perrier Class - for an additional £95 (per passenger) KRUG Class - additional £195 (per passenger) The Northern Belle will return to South Wales on December 5 for a 'Christmas Lunch' journey (from £395 per person), with pick-ups from Cardiff and Swansea.
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Daily Record
Get tickets for luxury train with seven-course fine dining and scenic Scottish views
The Northern Belle luxury train is beloved by Bill Nighy and returns to Scotland this weekend. One of the world's most elegant trains is set to roll into Scotland twice this weekend, treating passengers to champagne, caviar, and a seven-course feast as it winds its way along one of the most scenic railway routes in the UK. The Northern Belle will depart from Glasgow Central Station on Friday, July 11, and again on Sunday, July 13, whisking guests away on journeys designed to recapture the golden age of rail travel, Glasgow Live reports. Both trips begin with a red carpet welcome at the platform, followed by a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV Champagne and caviar blinis served in meticulously restored 1930s Pullman-style carriages. Onboard, passengers can expect luxurious dining, live music from roaming musicians, and sleight-of-hand magic courtesy of the train's resident conjuror. The Friday trip departs Glasgow at 10.55am, collecting more passengers at Edinburgh Waverley at 12.40pm before returning to Glasgow at 6.20pm. On Sunday, the train embarks on a day-long adventure along the West Highland Line, offering stunning views of glens, lochs, waterfalls and mountains along the route that was voted the world's best railway journey by Wanderlust magazine. Hollywood star Bill Nighy once described the Northern Belle as 'the Grand Dame of luxury travel' when it featured in a Channel 5 documentary. Readers of Condé Nast Traveller have also sung its praises, noting: 'It's all about the food – and the scenery. The meal services are exquisite offering fine dining.' Friday's journey will feature a traditional Afternoon Tea experience served on white linen with sparkling glassware. The train's website promises a nostalgic experience: 'Within minutes, one of our liveried Stewards will carefully pop your bottle of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV Champagne as you study the sumptuous Afternoon Tea menu. 'Indulge in delicate sandwiches, delicious cakes, home-baked scones with clotted cream and jam, mouth-watering pastries and of course, a pot of freshly brewed Fortnum & Mason tea.' The menu is steeped in British tradition. 'According to legend, a peckish Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, started the trend around 1840 by inviting her aristocratic friends round for a cuppa,' the website reads. 'Then Queen Victoria gave the ritual her blessing and Afternoon Tea became part of the British way of life.' Sunday's journey ups the ante with a full seven-course lunch, prepared using the finest seasonal ingredients from across the British Isles. 'As the glorious countryside passes by, indulge in freshly prepared canapés including caviar blinis. Then your starter is served, followed by a seasonal soup course, hand served by one of our highly skilled Stewards. 'The main course follows shortly after, intricately crafted and showcasing the best of British produce inspired by the route ahead. Later we'll serve a seasonal dessert that has been freshly prepared by our team of chefs. 'To round the journey off, choose from an array of British cheeses from our award-winning cheese board, accompanied with chutney, fruitcake, biscuits and a glass of Port. Finally, mull over the journey with Fortnum & Mason tea and petits fours.' The train's carriages have been lovingly restored by some of the country's finest craftspeople, including marquetry experts, muralists and mosaic artists, offering a visual feast to complement the culinary one. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The West Highland Line itself, known in Gaelic as Rathad Iarainn nan Eilean - Iron Road to the Isles - links the western ports of Scotland to Glasgow and is widely considered the most picturesque railway line in Britain. The Northern Belle is scheduled to return in August for two further journeys, including one to Oban, before offering two special Christmas Lunch trips later in the year. Tickets are still available, with prices starting at £365 for Friday's Afternoon Tea experience and £465 for Sunday's seven-course Highland Line adventure. Bookings can be made online.
Wales Online
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Champagne-sipping train passengers left 'fuming' after Oasis show derails plans
Champagne-sipping train passengers left 'fuming' after Oasis show derails plans The 1930s-style train was supposed to pull in to Cardiff after a day out visiting Windsor and the Royal Hampton Court Garden Festival, however they had to change their plans The Northern Belle's special journey was halted early due to the first Oasis Live 25 gig in Cardiff. (Image: The Northern Belle ) Network Rail have been accused of making a "blunder-wall" by letting Friday night's Oasis comeback concert derail Britain's poshest train, The Northern Belle. After a day out visiting Windsor and the Royal Hampton Court Garden Festival, the 1930s Pullman-style train was meant to pull in to Cardiff Central station at 10.50pm. However due to Oasis' first reunion tour gig set to finish just moments before, rail bosses reportedly feared the station could become dangerously overcrowded, much to the disappointment of 120 champagne-sipping passengers. To solve the problem, they were said to have ordered the luxury train to terminate 10 miles away at Newport. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here . This decision forced the well-dressed passengers, who had paid at least £550 each, to squeeze into a local Transport for Wales train back to Cardiff. A Northern Belle spokesman said: "While Oasis were singing hits like Wonderwall and Don't Look Back in Anger, Network Rail were setting up a Blunder-wall which left our passengers fuming. "The whole thing rather spoiled their Champagne Supernova." Article continues below They continued: "We can understand Network Rail's fears about overcrowding, but they had known about this for months – so why wait until the last minute to derail the last leg of the Belle's journey? "Our passengers had paid more than £500 expecting a slap-up day out aboard one of the world's most luxurious trains and most dress up for the occasion. "But they had to cut short their six-course dinner at Newport and leave the comfort of their plush seats to squash on to a regular service back to Cardiff. "Obviously they were very disappointed and so are we especially as, with a bit of forward planning, this situation could have been avoided.' Train fares on The Northern Belle start at £365 and cost up to £640, depending on location and package. (Image: The Northern Belle ) They have shared that the Northern Belle will be back in Cardiff for a Cornish Lunch excursion in September, followed by a special Christmas Lunch trip in December. Article continues below Train fares start at £365 and cost up to £640, depending on location and package. For more info and how to book you can follow this link to the Northern Belle website. Network Rail have been approached for comment.
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
'Champagne' train makes tracks for Edinburgh
Northern Bell is 'Grand Dame of luxury' Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Champagne-sipping passengers from Edinburgh will have a rare opportunity to travel on one of the world's most luxurious trains next month. The 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle normally brings visitors to the city from all over the rest of Britain. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But on Friday, July 11, it will set out from Edinburgh on a slap-up champagne lunch trip through the beautiful Scottish countryside. Music while you dine ... the train's band serenades passengers Passengers will board over a red carpet laid across the platform at Waverley Station before being handed their first glass of champagne. Then after snacking on caviar and canapes, they will tuck into a sumptuous seven-course meal with wine. A spokesman for the Northern Belle, once part of the iconic Orient Express set-up, said: 'We will be transporting them back to the golden era of rail travel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'A time when nothing was too good for the pampered passenger.' All aboard ... happy passengers with the Northern Belle Actor Bill Nighy called the train as 'the Grand Dame of luxury travel' when it featured on a Channel 5 TV programme. And a journalist once described it as being like 'Downton Abbey on wheels'. The Northern Belle even has its own musicians to serenade passengers while a conjuror wanders from carriage to carriage to add an extra touch of magic. The train is scheduled to leave Edinburgh at noon after setting off from Glasgow at 11.10. It is expected back at 17.50.
Scotsman
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Champagne train makes tracks for Edinburgh
Northern Belle is 'Grand Dame' of luxury Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Champagne-sipping passengers from Edinburgh will have a rare opportunity to travel on one of the world's most luxurious trains next month. The 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle normally brings visitors to the city from all over the rest of Britain. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But on Friday, July 11, it will set out from Edinburgh on a slap-up champagne lunch trip through the beautiful Scottish countryside. Just desserts ... a line of puddings ready to be served to passengers Passengers will board over a red carpet laid across the platform at Waverley Station before being handed their first glass of champagne. Then after snacking on caviar and canapes, they will tuck into a sumptuous seven-course meal with wine. A spokesman for the Northern Belle, once part of the iconic Orient Express set-up, said: 'We will be transporting them back to the golden era of rail travel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'A time when nothing was too good for the pampered passenger.' The right note ... musicians serenade passengers on the Northern Belle Actor Bill Nighy called the train 'the Grand Dame of luxury travel' when it featured on a Channel 5 TV programme. And a journalist once described it as being like 'Downton Abbey on wheels'. It even has its own resident band, who serenade passengers while they dine. Meanwhile, a conjuror wanders from table to table to add an extra touch of magic to the day.
