Travel & Tourism

The Northern Belle, ‘Britain’s poshest train’, is coming to Manchester, with a seven-course banquet on board

Brb, just living out my Bridgerton dreams.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 10th January 2025

A luxury train that’s been dubbed the poshest in Britain is steaming into Manchester this year, offering passengers a chance to sit in the same seats as royalty.

The Northern Belle will set off for its first trip of 2025 from Manchester Victoria, whisking people on a breathtaking journey through the Yorkshire Dales.

Whilst on board the Settle-Carlisle railway line, guests will tuck into a a show-stopping seven course banquet with bottles of champagne and wine.

The steam locomotive is a 1930’s Pullman-style train and used to form part of the iconic Orient Express experience, and takes on its journeys with an on-board live band.

Self-proclaimed as ‘Britain’s poshest train’, this vintage travel vehicle has been known to host a famous face or two, including acting legend Billy Nighy, who described the locomotive as ‘the Grand Dame of luxury travel’.

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It’s not just Hollywood A Listers travelling in style – the royals have been known to frequent these four carriage walls.

On board The Northern Belle, which will visit Manchester in March. Credit: Supplied
On board The Northern Belle, which will visit Manchester in March. Credit: Supplied
On board The Northern Belle, which will visit Manchester in March. Credit: Supplied

One of the seven carriages which will be making the journey used to be party of Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Train, and is home to the Queen Mum’s favourite seat, where she would sit and wave through the window while sipping a gin and tonic.

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A red carpet will be rolled out at Manchester Victoria to welcome everyone hopping on board this high-class rail service, with tickets from £365.

The Northern Belle departs Manchester city centre around 10am, collecting more passengers from Bolton before cruising some of the UK’s finest countryside.

Dust off your glad rags and get ready to be the ‘Belle’ of the ball as you travel on vintage locomotive The Northern Belle.

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This isn’t the only Northern Belle trip running this year as you can make your big and bold entrance to both Royal Ascot and Chelsea Flower Show via this comfortable and certainly not modest rail liner.

Just like its epic decorum, the prices follow the same bold style with tickets varying from £365 upwards depending on which event you’d like to attend.

Arriving on 1 March 2025, this luxury train is making a special stop in Greater Manchester with tickets available to purchase HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image: Publicity Picture (Supplied)

Travel & Tourism

Macclesfield Forest – The picture-perfect country walk that looks like a postcard in winter weather

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Macclesfield Forest makes for one of the best winter walks near Manchester

It is absolutely baltic out there – but also pretty beautiful, and we’ve found you a winter walk that looks better than ever at this time of year.

The weather in the UK has well and truly turned wintery, with temperatures dropped below zero and the big coats permanently glued to our backs.

That comes with a lot of bad bits, like being really bloody cold all the time, having to scrape the car every time you use it, and energy bills going through the roof if you want to put your heating on for five seconds.

But also, when you stop and look around on a good day, brilliant blue skies, frost-tipped landscapes, perfect sunsets and crunchy leaves.

This sort of winter weather is actually perfect for a big walk, with no risk of sunburn or sweaty backs, so we say let’s all get wrapped up warm and head on out to the beautiful countryside around our home city.

Macclesfield Forest
Macclesfield Forest. Credit: Unsplash, Marty Finney

One of the most stunning sites in the north west is just across the border into Cheshire. We are of course talking about Macclesfield Forest.

Here, huge conifers dominate the landscape like giant Christmas trees – it’s about as close to an alpine wonderland you can get without travelling all the way to actual mountains.

When it snows, the whole forest is muffled. The only sounds you’ll hear is the soft thump of snow falling off the branches.

And if you don’t fancy killing an entire afternoon wandering through the woodland, there are also two reservoirs – Trentabank and Ridgegate to explore.

There are a number of walking trails to follow, from a gently green route all the way to a more challenging red route that takes you deeper into the forest.

If you brave the uphill climbs, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views over the Cat and Fiddle Moors and the Cheshire Plains.

And then you can defrost from your walk in the cosy Leather’s Smithy pub, which dates back to the 18th century and serves proper pub grub and real ales.

Leather’s Smithy, a cosy 18th century pub serving real ales, locally-distilled Forest Gin made from botanicals foraged nearby, and comforting pub grub.

You can find a full trail through AllTrails here.

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Featured image: Unsplash

Travel & Tourism

New survey reveals the UK’s best and worst motorway service stations

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A new survey has revealed the best and worst motorway service stations in the UK.

While we don’t usually visit them for fun, many Brits will agree that a crucial part of any long-distance journey is planning out the motorway services stations to stop off at along the way.

But out of all the service stations that are dotted across the country, which one is rated as the best? And which is the worst?

Well, with a new year now here, leading consumer choice company, Which?, recruited 2,719 people to rate a total of 70 UK service stations in a number of categories – including the range and quality of shops and food outlets, prices, convenience, parking, accessibility, cleanliness, and more.

The customer score for each service station combines the overall satisfaction and likelihood of recommending.

Gloucester Services has been named the UK’s best service station / Credit: Gloucester Services

Topping the list as the best motorway service station in the UK is Gloucester Services, between junctions 11A and 12 on the M5, which received a whopping four out of five stars for all categories – with a customer score of 86%.

One visitor said it was “as far from a typical motorway stop as you can imagine”, with other customers praising its “fabulous” farm shop selling home-cooked meals and local produce.

At the other end of the scale though is the Moto-owned Bridgwater Services in Somerset, which ranked the worst in Britain by Which? after it was awarded just one star out of five for all categories analysed and received an overall customer score of just 32%.

Recent visitors described the venue as “dirty” and “depressing”, and others complained of a urine smell and toilet paper strewn on the floor, while another claimed it “should be demolished”.

Tebay Services has taken the second spot on the list of the UK’s best / Credit: Tebay Services

Top 5 best motorway services in the UK

  1. Gloucester Services (86%)
  2. Tebay Services (83%)
  3. Cairn Lodge Services (69%)
  4. Norton Canes Services (65%)
  5. Wetherby Services (61%)

Top 5 worst motorway services in the UK

  1. Bridgwater Services (32%)
  2. Gordano Services (40%)
  3. Newport Pagnell Services (41%)
  4. Sandbach Services (42%)
  5. Keele Services (42%)
Moto’s Bridgewater Services was named the worst UK service station / Credit: Which?

Speaking on the unveiling of best and worst UK service stations, Rory Boland, Editor of Magazine Which? Travel, said: “The results of our survey show that it pays to plan ahead to avoid some of the UK’s worst motorway services.

“It could be the difference between a home-cooked meal in peaceful surroundings or crowded queues in downright dirty facilities.

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“Whether you’re zipping down the M5 towards the beaches on the south-west coast, or up the M6 towards the Scottish border, make sure your journey isn’t spoiled by a stop at a shoddy service station.”

Featured Image – Gloucester Services

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