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Brief Encounter Lunch

Friday 8th April 2022

Crewe, Wilmslow, Manchester

Your Journey

Relax in your elegant surroundings and gaze out the picture window, watching the passing scenery unfold and contemplating the gastronomic journey ahead. Within minutes, one of our liveried Stewards will carefully pour a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV Champagne as you study celebrated Head Chef Matthew Green’s sumptuous menu.

Ahead lies a journey back to the Golden Days of rail travel, a time when nothing was too good for the pampered passengers. As the date of your journey draws near our Executive Head Chef and his team will be hard at work in the kitchen carriage preparing a sumptuous seven-course lunch, accompanied by our Sommelier’s choice of wine. Each course boasts the finest seasonal ingredients from the British Isles, classic and innovative dishes are crafted in our recently refurbished kitchen carriage. 

As the glorious British countryside passes by, indulge in freshly prepared canapés including caviar blinis. Then your starter is served, followed by a seasonal soup course, hand served by one of our highly skilled Stewards. The main course follows shortly after, intricately crafted and showcasing the best of British produce inspired by the route ahead. Later we’ll serve a seasonal dessert that has been freshly prepared by our team of chefs. To round the journey off, choose from an array of British cheeses from our award-winning cheese board, accompanied with chutney, fruitcake, biscuits and a glass of Port. Finally, mull over the journey with Fortnum & Mason tea and petits fours.

BRIEF ENCOUNTER

Our journey includes a stop at Carnforth station; restored to its 1940s glory and the setting for the iconic film Brief Encounter. Visit the heritage centre, have a dance on the platform accompanied by our house band, share a kiss under the famous station clock or stay on board and enjoy all the fun from the comfort of your armchair.

Friday 8th April 2022

Departing from

Crewe, Wilmslow, Manchester

  • Crewe Station

  • Wilmslow

  • Manchester Victoria

We are currently awaiting provisional timings.
Timings are subject to network rail confirmation 7 days prior to departure.
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Book Your Tickets

Friday, 8th April 2022
Brief Encounter Lunch

Embrace the glamour of the Golden Age of travel while enjoying a fine dining experience aboard the beautiful Northern Belle.

Round-trip travel on the Northern Belle luxury train

Welcome champagne reception including canapés and caviar blinis

Sumptuous seven-course lunch: British seasonal table d’hôte menu including: Award-winning Great British cheese board with Port to accompany, delicious dessert and a selection of petits fours

Sommelier’s choice - Bottle of wine per couple

Short stop at Carnforth station

On board entertainment including table magician and strolling musicians

Fortnum & Mason tea and Northern Belle blend coffee

£310 per passenger

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Upgrade your journey
Laurent-Perrier Class

In addition to our Brief Encounter Lunch journey why not upgrade your on-board experience to include the following:

Champagne reception upgraded with Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésime Vintage 2012

Bottle of wine upgraded from our Northern Belle Collection per couple

Bottle of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV per couple

Additional £95per passenger

Single travellers will receive half bottles of these derivatives.

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Experience another class
KRUG Class

In partnership with KRUG champagne we introduce another class of travel.

In addition to our Brief Encounter Lunch journey why not upgrade your on-board experience to include the following:

  • Bottle of KRUG Grand Cuvée Champagne per couple

  • Bottle of wine upgraded from our Northern Belle Collection per couple

  • Seating allocated in Duart formerly a carriage on The Royal Train or Glamis named after Her Majesty’s childhood home

  • A memorable gift on departure

Additional  £195per passenger - very limited availability

Single travellers will receive half bottles of these derivatives.

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Have questions?

Please read our most frequent questions here, if you don't see what you're looking for, visit our full list of Travellers Tips.

If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our reservations team.

Get in touch

Northern Belle has limited tables for two. We are happy to take a request, however this is not a guarantee and there is a chance that you may be sharing a table of four with another couple. Subject to availability you may guarantee a table for two by paying a supplement of £75 per passenger. When booking online if private tables of two are available you can select your preference, but you can select a shared table without a supplement subject to availability.

All of the Northern Belle carriages are vintage pullman style. Each row of seats is a table for two and across the aisle a table for four.

Yes. If notified at the time of booking, we will do our best to comply with any dietary requirements. These include Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Pescetarian and the exclusion of certain ingredients such as nuts, onions and dairy. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide meals requiring strict religious observance in preparation. Please order at least 14 days prior to travel to ensure we can order the supplies to the train whilst on tour. Please note that due to the small preparation areas on the train we cannot guarantee cross contamination within the kitchen and if you have severe allergic reactions then please call the reservations team to discuss. When you book on line you will find a section to list your passenger’s dietary needs and other comments.

We are able to accommodate passengers with slight walking difficulties. However, we recommend they are accompanied by a carer. We regret that our carriages cannot be boarded on wheelchair. Staff are able to assist passengers to their seats and folding wheelchairs can be stored during the journey.

Some journeys are not suitable for people with disabilities. Should you have any special requirements please contact your nearest reservations office.

For a journey aboard the Northern Belle luxury train, adhere to the smart casual dress code. Choose comfortable yet stylish attire and wear appropriate footwear for day trips that may involve walking.

All Journeys on Friday 8th April 2022

Please Note

  • All timings shown on this website are for your guidance only—a confirmed schedule will be supplied with your travel documents
  • The Northern Belle is hauled by a heritage diesel locomotive unless advertised as a 'steam special'
  • Please ensure you bring your travel documents on the day of your journey
  • If booking up to eight (8) weeks prior to departure, a non-refundable 15% deposit is required to secure your seats
  • Payment is required in full if you are booking within eight (8) weeks of travel
  • Bookings of two attract a surcharge of £75 per passenger for a private table for two
  • Bookings of five or six attract a surcharge of £150 for the use of the private table for two
  • Full payment and cancellation details can be found in our Terms and Conditions page >

Our Best Available rate is subject to availability at time of booking, it is not applicable for parties of 12 or more. Please contact reservations@northernbelle.co.uk for group pricing.

Brief Encounter Lunch Dates

Embrace the glamour of the Golden Age of travel while enjoying a fine dining experience aboard the beautiful Northern Belle.