Food & Drink

Luxury Valentine’s steam train dining experiences are returning to Greater Manchester next month

East Lancashire Railway's 'Valentine's Night' dining experiences are back by popular demand.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th January 2024

Just in case you need a little reminder, Valentine’s Day isn’t so far off now.

In just under a month’s time, couples all over the world will be marking the international day of love with the people they care about the most, and for those who are keen to celebrate in style, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that its special ‘Valentine’s Night’ luxury dining experiences are back once again by popular demand.

This means that lovebirds can hop on-board a vintage steam train and enjoy a four-course meal while riding through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside as the sun sets.

Part of ELR’s ongoing – and massively-popular – ‘Dining with Distinction’ series, which runs all throughout the year, these Valentine’s Night luxury dining experiences are promising to provide couples with an “elegant” and “atmospheric” evening as they travel through the Irwell Valley and raise a toast to each other to celebrate their love.

East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Valentine’s Night’ dining experiences are back by popular demand / Credit: ELR

This romantic experience is on board a pullman-style steam train carriage, with polished panelling and luxurious seating.

ADVERTISEMENT

Priced at £79 per person – or just £280 for a table of four, if you fancy taking your ‘Galentines’ instead -all guests will have a personal waiter or waitress for the evening, who’ll make sure everything is taken care of everything, from the Prosecco welcome, right through to the after-dinner chocolates. 

Once couples board their train for the evening, their welcome drink will be accompanied by a live music reception to set the mood, all before they sit down to enjoy and tuck into a mouthwatering four-course meal.

ADVERTISEMENT

The train journey lasts just under three hours, and all dietary requirements can be catered for.

Tickets are now on sale from £79 per person / Credit: ELR

“The Valentine’s night Dining with Distinction experience is one that every couple can enjoy,” admitted Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway.

“It’s great to see so many new memories being made, and couples celebrating the day with something uniquely different, especially as our volunteers work extremely hard to ensure that every couple has the Valentine’s Day of their dreams.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more:

The Valentine’s Night experiences are taking place on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February this year, and tickets are now on sale.

Find out more and grab yours here.

Featured Image – ELR

Food & Drink

Bada Bing sandwich shop is hosting a 24-hour charity run to help the homeless this Christmas

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bada Bing homeless charity run Manchester 2024

Manchester’s beloved Bada Bing sandwich shop is getting in the festive spirit and looking to give back that Christmas by hosting a 24-hour charity run on behalf of Greater Manchester’s homeless.

The Sopranos-themed deli and butty makers made their long-awaited return to Manchester city centre earlier this year after closing back in 2022, much to the delight of us fellow bread-lovers, and it didn’t take long for them to get back on top.

Coming back with a bada-bang this past September, Bada Bing once again has people lining up out the door and down the road for their unreal sandwiches pretty much every lunchtime.

However, apart from the daily queues, another thing that sadly remains a constant on our streets is the homeless community and with this time of year a particularly difficult one, the foodie favourites have decided to lace up their running shoes to help make a difference.

Teaming up with Sam from Peaks and Pubs, who posts his own running, hiking and general outdoor content to more than 40,000 followers, the digital creator will be helping lead the 24-hour charity relay run around the city, starting and ending at the sandwich shop itself.

Put simply, the aim is to raise as much money as possible for the local non-profit Mustard Tree by running 2k loops on the hour every hour. The first lap will kick off at 11am on Friday, 20 December and will finish with one final loop setting off at 10am the following day.

The Ancoats-based charity combats poverty and aims to prevent homelessness all over the 10 boroughs and has been making a huge impact in central Manchester for more than three decades now; their important work only becomes more vital during the holiday season.

As for Sam and co., they will be running at a super social and steady pace meaning no one gets left behind and, more importantly, everyone can get involved to do their bit for a community that desperately needs our help – especially during the winter.

No doubt taking inspiration from the city’s annual 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness on behalf of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, which absolutely smashed its fundraising target in 2024, we already know how brilliant a turnout these events can produce, so we can only hope for similar success.

Manchester’s 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness raises a whopping £50k for ‘A Bed Every Night’
Manchester has been putting in the hard yards to help the homeless for many years now.

Announcing the run last week, Bada Bing reiterated that as well as coming along for the charity run, “all donations, little or large, are hugely appreciated and go a long way”, adding that they “will also be accepting tinned food donations at the shop throughout the challenge.”

We’re sure the sandwich stars will be serving up the odd ‘Bing’, ‘Chicago Beef’ and even a festive special or two to help keep the runners fuelled but, above all else, they’re playing host to a wonderful heartwarming event and we’re always happy to hear of charity events like this.

So, if you fancy getting involved you can turn up any time from 11 onwards this Friday and even if you’re not the running type, you can donate directly to the fundraiser HERE.

See you there for a few loops.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Peaks and Pubs (screenshot)

Food & Drink

Ian Wright raves about Chorlton takeaway Jerk Junction

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Ian Wright raves about Chorlton takeaway Jerk Junction

Ian Wright has publicly raved about a Greater Manchester takeaway, saying it’s the ‘only reason’ he comes to the city.

The TV personality and football great took to Instagram yesterday to share his short but sweet review of Jerk Junction.

It’s a beloved takeaway and restaurant that has a few sites across Greater Manchester and tonnes of loyal followers – including more than a few famous faces.

And now Ian Wright has joined the legions of fans celebrating Jerk Junction, a Caribbean spot famed for its jerk chicken and curried meats.

On his Instagram page yesterday, Wrighty shared a video of himself tucking into a huge helping of curry and rice, with fried dumplings on the side.

In it, he gives the camera a big thumbs up before saying: “It’s the only reason I come to Manchester really.”

Jerk Junction has also shared a photo of them delivering the food to Ian, writing: “Special delivery to everyones favourite Uncle, The Legend himself Mr @wrightyofficial.”

Ian Wright raving about Jerk Junction on Instagram. Credit: Instagram, @wrightyofficial
Ian Wright raving about Jerk Junction on Instagram. Credit: Instagram, @wrightyofficial
Ian Wright with Jerk Junction. Credit: Instagram, @jerkjunction
Ian Wright with Jerk Junction. Credit: Instagram, @jerkjunction

Ian Wright has then replied: “Too much food! But it was amazing!! Thank you so much.”

The takeaway’s menu is filled with dishes like Jerk chicken, curried goat, and vegetarian options like Ital stew, all served with rice and peas, and prepared with traditional spices and ingredients.

They have sites in Chorlton, MediaCity, and Wilmslow, with another spot soon to open at the Trafford Centre.

Fans were devastated last year when a fire tore through Jerk Junction’s original Chorlton site.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

More Food & Drink

Family-run tapas restaurant shames customers who stole decorations

Bury

Family-run tapas restaurant shames customers who stole decorations

Christmas

Top 10 most disliked Christmas foods revealed – and sprouts aren’t number one

Joe & The Juice is heading back to Manchester

Eats

Viral juice brand Joe & The Juice is making a BIG return to Manchester

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches