THERE will be chance to celebrate Christmas in style on 'Britain's most luxurious train' as tickets go on sale for the Northern Belle Christmas Lunch trip from Chester.
Passengers willing to pay the almost £400 standard ticket price will experience the pristine white linen and sparkling glassware of their individually decorated 1930s Pullman-style carriages as they make a decadent four-and-a-half hour return journey between Chester and Liverpool Lime Street.
Champagne will be served on arrival as they peruse the menu from celebrated Head Chef Matthew Green, with a seven-course festive lunch accompanied by the sommelier's choice of wine.
The hugely popular travel experience harks back to the golden days of rail travel, with a day filled with luxury and opulence.
The iconic train, which was once part of the Orient Express group, was recently voted as the country's most luxurious beating out Canada’s revered Rocky Mountaineer and India’s Maharajah’s Express in a poll by readers of Condè Nast.
As the countryside passes by outside the carriage, passengers will be served freshly prepared canapés. This is followed by their starter before a seasonal soup course. The all-important Christmas dinner will come shortly after, made with the finest British produce. And later, a seasonal dessert will be served.
To round the journey off, an award-winning cheese board with chutney, fruitcake, biscuits and a glass of Port will be on offer before passengers can reflect on their journey with Fortnum & Mason tea and petits fours.
Entertainment will also be provided by table magicians and musicians.
If that does not suffice, passengers can choice to upgrade their on board experience - for a further £195 - to the new KRUG class.
This will mean standard drinks offerings will be replace with half a bottle of KRUG Grand Cuvée champagne per passenger, an upgraded half bottle of wine from the 'Sommelier Selection' per passenger and seating allocation in either Duart, formerly a carriage on The Royal Train, or Glamis, named after Queen Elizabeth's childhood home.
The train will depart on Thursday, December 14 from Crewe, Chester and Liverpool Lime Street stations.
Further information about the journey and ticket can be found at: northernbelle.co.uk/trip/christmas-lunch/1347.
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