Previously part of the Orient Express group, the Northern Belle train, once favourite of the Queen Mother, will make its first stop of the year in Bolton this March on a journey along the Settle to Carlisle line – its only visit to Bolton this year. Last year, the train was voted the ninth most luxurious in the world, the only British train to be named in the top 10, with each carriage named after a grand stately home or castle.
The 1930s pullman-style locomotive provides a nostalgia trip for train enthusiasts and foodies alike, with absolutely everything perfected to a tee. The mosaic-clad interiors retain the intricacy and craftsmanship that was poured into many machines like this almost a century ago, and the service has been devised to satisfy even the trickiest of customers.
The day will begin with a red carpet welcome at your departure station – Manchester Victoria, Wigan North Western or Leyland – where the 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, you’ll receive a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV Champagne as you study celebrated Head Chef Matthew Green‘s 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. As the date of your journey draws near the Executive Head Chef and his team will be hard at work in the kitchen carriage preparing a sumptuous seven-course lunch, accompanied by the Sommelier’s choice of wine. Each course boasts the finest seasonal ingredients from the British Isles, classic and innovative dishes are crafted in the recently refurbished kitchen carriage.
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, with the main course following shortly after – intricately crafted and showcasing the best of British produce inspired by the route ahead.
The Northern Belle traverses majestically through 14 tunnels and across 22 bridges – including the spectacular 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct, which is 104ft high and a quarter of a mile long – to Settle. Later, a freshly prepared seasonal dessert will be served, and to round the journey off, choose from an array of British cheeses from the 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.
It’s no wonder Hollywood actor Bill Nighy called the train the “Grand Dame of luxury travel”, while narrating Channel 5’s The World’s Most Scenic Railways Journeys programme in 2023, and is an opinion the team behind the Northern Belle are very proud of.
So, roll out the red carpet and get to Manchester Victoria, Wigan North Western or Leyland station on the morning of March 1, if not to board the Northern Belle, to see a still-lively piece of history chug into Greater Manchester. You can book onto the Settle & Carlisle Lunch Special here.