The Northern Belle – What’s new for this year

One of the world’s most luxurious trains, the Northern Belle was originally launched by the Venice-Simplon Orient Express company in 2000 as the British equivalent of the iconic Orient Express. It was bought by West Yorkshire businessman David Pitts in 2017 and is now totally British owned and run.
They have a busy schedule for 2025, here’s a look at what going on…
Bill Nighy described the Northern Belle as “the Grand Dame of luxury travel” when the iconic train featured on Channel 5’s “The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys” programme.
The 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle will make eighteen steam-hauled trips over the spectacular Settle-Carlisle railway line in 2025, as well as taking champagne-sipping punters on slap-up excursions to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Ladies Day at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.
Other destinations include historic cities such as Edinburgh, Chester and York, along with seaside resorts like Torquay, Llandudno and Oban.

New for this year is a special Mother’s Day Lunch trip from Crewe, Warrington and Liverpool on Sunday, March 30, and a visit to Holyrood Palace, the King’s official Scottish residence, from Manchester, Preston and Lancaster on September 25.
The train even has its own resident musicians and an onboard magician, while one of the seven hand-decorated carriages – each named after a stately home or castle – used to be part of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Train.
Legend has it that it contains the late Queen Mother’s favourite seat, from where she would wave to excited spectators and sip her gin and tonic.
The Northern Belle, once part of the Belmond Orient Express group, operates from stations all over Britain, with fares starting from £365. For more details and to book, see www.northernbelle.co.uk
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