Britain's 'most luxurious' train is coming to Manchester - here's how to join the trip

Christmas revellers will tuck into a slap-up seven-course festive lunch while spending five hours travelling through the Northern countryside at 60mph on Britain’s poshest train.

The 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle, once part of the iconic Orient Express set-up, sets out from Manchester Victoria station at 11.30am on Saturday, December 20, before picking up more passengers at Huddersfield and Leeds.

There are even musicians on board to serenade diners during lunch while a conjuror will add an extra touch of magic as he wanders from table to table getting up to his tricks.

Among the passengers will be best-selling author Milly Johnson, whose latest novel “Let the Bells Ring Out” was inspired by a trip on the Northern Belle.

A spokesman for the train said: “It promises to be a cracker of a trip – our very last one of the year before we all go home for Christmas.

“And, if you’re lucky, you may even win a copy of Milly’s wonderful new book.”

Passengers will board over a red carpet laid across the station platform before being handed their first glass of champagne along with a selection of delicious caviar blinis.

Then Christmas lunch will feature Scottish salmon roulade, roasted white onion potage, a traditional turkey ballotine and a choice of desserts, all served with the finest wines.

That will be followed by the train’s celebrated Great British Cheese Board along with a glass of port, before Fortnum and Mason tea is served with petits fours.

Prices start at £395, although passengers can pay extra to travel in the super-luxury Krug Class and sip the world’s finest champagne.

The spokesman said: “There are still a few tickets left, but this is our final trip of 2025 so we’d advise people to book soon if they don’t want to miss the train.”

Before then, on Wednesday December 3, the Northern Belle will take passengers from Manchester on a shopping trip to Edinburgh’s wonderful Christmas Markets.

There will also be the opportunity to visit the late Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Yacht Britannia, which is berthed at nearby Leith.

A tartan clad piper will play a lament on Victoria Station before the train departs, with passengers tucking into a three-course brunch on the way to Scotland.

Then in the evening, after more Champagne, a sumptuous seven-course banquet will be served during the journey back to Manchester.

The Northern Belle will be pulled by a heritage diesel locomotive on both these occasions. But some trips over the picturesque Settle-Carlisle line and round the Cumbrian coast are steam-hauled.

For more details about the train and to book, see www.northernbelle.co.uk