Luxury train ride Northern Belle is grand way to arrive at Cheltenham race festival
Gold Cup passengers are on to a winner
Champagne-swigging London punters are splashing out more than £1,000 to travel to the Cheltenham Gold Cup race meeting in March aboard one of the world’s poshest trains.
A special red carpet will be laid across the platform at Paddington station as passengers board the Northern Belle, which was once part of the iconic Orient Express group, at 8.45am.
And the bubbly will start flowing the moment they are escorted to their seats in the plush 1930s Pullman-style carriages for a lavish three-course brunch.
Then on the return journey in the evening, passengers will be served more champagne before tucking into a sumptuous six-course banquet with caviar and fine wines.
Despite the high ticket prices, the annual trip on the Northern Belle, which ends with an historic steam train journey to the racecourse, always sells out.
A spokesman said: “£1,000 might sound like a lot of money – but that’s our highest-priced tickets for those punters who want to drink Krug champagne, which we reckon is the best in the world.
“There are cheaper options, too. But however much our passengers pay and whatever their luck with the bookies on the day, they’re on a certain winner with the Northern Belle.”
Actor Bill Nighy described the train as “the Grand Dame of luxury travel” when a steam-hauled trip over the spectacular Settle-Carlisle line featured on Channel 5’s The World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys programme.
There is even a band on board to serenade passengers while they dine, along with a conjuror who adds an extra touch if magic by visiting every table to show off his tricks.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of the world’s greatest steeplechases with a £625,000 prize pot, takes place on Friday, March 14.
The Northern Belle will be back in London on July 31 for a slap-up trip to Ladies’ Day at Glorious Goodwood. Prices on the train start at £365. For more details see www.northernbelle.co.uk