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Britain’s ‘most luxurious train’ costing up to £570 will stop in Greater Manchester for first time ever
Wine and dine yourself on this incredible luxury rail journey.
A luxury train where passengers can enjoy a seven-course meal as they take in the scenic views, is coming to Greater Manchester this spring.
Dubbed ‘Britain’s most luxurious train’, The Northern Belle — a 1930’s Pullman-style train — will be making its VIP visit to Rochdale Station on Friday April 21st. Passengers will feel like they’ve stepped straight onto the set of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express as they dine inside its elegant carriages.
Perfect for railway enthusiasts and food-lovers, this unique experience will cost between £295 and £570, which includes a champagne arrival drink and gourmet meal accompanied by live entertainment.
After departing Rochdale, the Northern Belle will stop off at Hebden Bridge and Brighouse, before weaving its way around the Yorkshire countryside for five hours, as passengers tuck into a champagne afternoon tea or seven-course Spirit of Travel lunch.
Adding to the opulent experience, guests will be entertained by strolling musicians and the train’s resident magician. The Belle will then make a return to Rochdale just in time for tea, dropping off the lucky lot at around 4.35pm.
The Northern Belle was once part of the iconic Orient Express group, and each one of its carriages are named after a castle or stately home, detailed with bespoke marquetry and mosaics. Last year, the train was voted the ninth most luxurious in the world by readers of Condé Nast magazine – the only British train to be named in the top 10.
Diners can feel like Celia Johnson or Trevor Howard in the film Brief Encounter as they sip on tea or champagne and tuck into a delightful lunch — with prices starting at £295 for a champagne afternoon tea or £375 for lunch with fine wines.
For an extra £195 passengers can also upgrade to Krug Champagne Class in the special carriage, which was once part of the Royal Train, or Glamis, named after the former Queen Mother’s childhood home.
Rumour has it that the Duart Carriage houses what was once the Queen Mother’s favourite seat, where she liked to relax with a gin and tonic while looking out the train window and waving.
It’s no wonder Hollywood actor Bill Nighy called the train the ‘Grand Dame of luxury travel’, while narrating The World’s Most Scenic Railways Journeys on Channel 5 last year – and is an opinion the team behind the Northern Belle are very proud of.
Book yourself onto this wonderful piece of history and travel in style. Tickets are available via the Northern Belle website.
What's On
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
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The VR gaming experience at airport where you can escape reality
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Simmons Bar opens first Northern site in Manchester with free drinks at launch party
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
