Inside Britain’s most exclusive train nicknamed ‘Grand Dame’ of luxury travel

The ‘most luxurious train journey in Britain’ is set to steam out from Derbyshire, with the Northern Belle, a 1930s beauty that once graced the iconic Orient Express, departing from Derby and Chesterfield stations next week.

As the train embarks on its grand voyage early Wednesday, September 4, a lone piper will bid farewell with a haunting lament.

Passengers aboard the Northern Belle will be treated to a sumptuous day trip to Edinburgh, complete with bagpipes serenading their departure and champagne flowing freely, encapsulating the opulence of the Pullman-style locomotive’s century-old heritage.

“We don’t like to blow our own trumpet about how great travelling on the Northern Belle is,” quipped a company spokesperson. “So we have somebody play the bagpipes instead!”

The excursion promises an indulgent experience, including an optional tour of the late Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith. 

Despite the steep £440 ticket price, the lavish escapade has been fully booked for weeks, reports Derbyshire Live.

Yet, those willing to splurge are guaranteed value for their investment. Onboard, guests will relish a three-course brunch en route to Scotland and a lavish six-course dinner paired with wine on the return leg.

And for those wanting to join last minute, the spokesperson encouraged: “It is always worth checking for last-minute cancellations. We will squeeze you on board if we can.”

Passengers on the opulent Northern Belle can expect enchantment at every turn, with onboard musicians enhancing the dining experience and conjurors weaving their magic through the carriages. 

Missed opportunities won’t disappoint as another Edinburgh journey departs from Derby on November 22.

There’s a prelude to this luxurious travel with a steam-hauled escapade across the stunning Settle-Carlisle line scheduled for Saturday, October 26.

This very trip garnered acclaim from none other than Bill Nighy on Channel 5’s The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys, where he extolled the Northern Belle as “the Grand Dame of luxury travel”.

Come December, there will be an indulgent seven-course Christmas Lunch Special setting off from the city. For those keen on experiencing this grandeur, ticket prices for the Northern Belle start at a steep £295.

Interested parties should click here for more details.