Day Trip: Great British Sunday Lunch on the Northern Belle

The Northern Belle departs from various cities in the Midlands and the North. Usually departing at approximately 12pm and returning the same day at 6pm. Confirmed timings will be supplied with your travel documents.

Departures throughout the year, dates in 2025 for this luxury trip are as follows:

Sunday 8th June 2025 – Departing from Coventry, Birmingham & Wolverhampton.

Sunday 29th June 2025 – Departing from Norwich and Ipswich.

Sunday 27th July 2025 – Departing from Derby, Nottingham & Derby.

Sunday 26th October 2025 – Departing from Manchester Victoria, Gatley, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge & Crewe.

Your Journey

The Signature Journey – step back into a golden age of travel aboard the Northern Belle. Enjoy a Champagne reception as you set off on a round-trip through Britain’s glorious countryside. Of course, a highlight of your day is the seven-course lunch with wine, served at your seats. Admire the train’s crisp white linen and glorious art deco flourishes before returning to your original departure point station.

Please note: The musicians and magician will visit each table at least once throughout the journey. You do not disembark during this journey. Exact routings are subject to change without notice.

What to wear

Elegant evening attire is appropriate; black tie for the gentlemen. Please do not wear jeans or trainers.

The Northern Belle

The Northern Belle embodies the distinctive opulence and craftsmanship associated with the classic ‘Belle’ trains of the 1930s. Expertly and exquisitely detailed, each carriage bears the name of a stately home and is furnished with specially commissioned designs, fabrics and beautiful marquetry.

Exquisitely laid tables with starched table cloths, along with uniquely branded silverware, emphasize the level of sumptuosity; the artistic adornment and luxurious furnishings complete the elegant and comfortable carriages. Breathe deep, and embrace the intimate ‘country house’ atmosphere of each unique carriage.

The Northern Belle train entered service in 2000 as a sister to the highly successful British Pullman train of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Ever since George Mortimer Pullman’s first luxury train was conceived in 1864, people have been captivated by the elegance and sense of occasion that surrounds such decadent travel.

Whilst the Pullman Palace Car Company brought the romance of luxury rail travel to Britain, Georges Nagelmackers founded the luxury sleeping car service which was destined to become legendary, spanning the rail networks across Europe.

The Northern Belle is synonymous with sophistication and splendid comfort. Restoration of the carriages by celebrated interior designers such as Rene Laliqué ensures that the decadence of the experience is unsurpassed. It’s re-launch in 1982 marked the re-emergence of a new age in elegant rail travel.

Introduced to provide the ultimate in stylish and enjoyable day excursions and short breaks throughout the North of Britain, the Northern Belle combines classic craftsmanship and contemporary engineering and is a reflection of the affluent ‘Belle’ trains of the 1930′s. Each of the six dining carriages is named after a great British castle or stately home.