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
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.
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.
Train ticket prices slashed by more than 50% as huge rail sale returns across UK
Emily Sergeant
The Great British Rail Sale is returning in the new year, and train ticket prices will be slashed by up to 50% or more.
Millions of discounted train tickets for half term activities, weekend getaways, and even commuting will be up for grabs next week, as the week-long rail sale – which is set to run from 6 to 12 January 2026 – will give passengers the chance to save well over 50% on many advance and off-peak tickets.
The reduced fares can be used to travel on thousands of popular routes between 13 January and 25 March 2026.
Nearly all train operators are taking part, with routes spanning the entire country.
For example, those who may be planning a quick getaway abroad over the next couple of months will be able to save quite a few pennies, as journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport will cost just £1.20, down from £2.90.
You can get up to 50% off train tickets next week / Credit: Northern | Transpennine Express
This is the fourth year of the Great British Rail Sale, with last year’s sale selling more than one million tickets and saving passengers around £8 per journey, as well as generating £9 million in ticket sale revenue for the industry.
“The Rail Sale is back,” commented Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander. “And that means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in three decades to help ease the cost of living.
“We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions.”
This year’s sale comes as the Government aims to ‘ease the cost of living’ for hard-working people by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years.
If you weren’t aware, the Government is also in the process of bringing in major reform to Britain’s rail services by establishing Great British Railways (GBR) – which is the new, nationalised organisation to run the railway uniting together 17 different organisations under a single directing mind.
Adventurous Mancs needed to take part in next series of BBC’s Race Across the World
Emily Sergeant
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? Well, this might just be your calling then.
The BBC is, once again, casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show draws in thousands of viewers each week, and now producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea for the next seried – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
Adventurous Mancs are needed to take part in the next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, ‘the physical journey is only half of the story’. That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the next series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 29 March 2026, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
Thomas Melia -
10th January 2025 
