Northern Belle: The luxurious way to travel
Nov 5 2009 By Edward Stephens
For those who wanted a souvenir of the trip there is an on-board shop selling everything from wine glasses and plates to pencils – all bearing that magic monogram or the words Northern Belle – and they seemed to be doing a roaring trade.
Having returned to my seat and relaxed, chatting to fellow passengers and watching the countryside pass by we were soon pulling into the quaint London Olympia station where we boarded coaches to take us for a “flight” on the London Eye.
But rather than just a transfer from A to B, the trip was an interesting and enlightening sightseeing tour of central London with a well-informed guide on board pointing out the highlights.
Having reached the Eye there was time for a brief wander along the South Bank, with its buskers and pavement artists, before take-off.
Luckily for us, despite being October, it was a beautiful sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky so the 30 minute flight gave us a pin sharp 360-degree view across London, enabling us to pick out landmarks ranging from the nearby Cleopatra’s Needle to Canary Wharf on the horizon.
We then had a close-up of many of the riverside sights we had seen from the Eye when we boarded one of the Thames river boats for a 45-minute cruise – the good weather enticing us to stay out on the open deck area.
There was just time for a quick cup of tea on the riverside before boarding the coach, with the enticing prospect of dinner on board the Northern Belle ahead of us.
After being welcomed back with a glass of champagne, the silver service, four course dinner started with delicious brown Windsor soup, followed by the main course of seared breast of smoked tombuie’s guinea fowl, roasted celeriac mash, baby spinach and sloe berry jus.
The stewards then came through with what the menu very accurately described as the “Great British Cheeseboard”, which was no lie because it took two of them to carry it – and it was so big it spanned the aisle to rest on the tables on either side.
A generous selection of cheeses was followed by a hearty serving of steamed mulberry pudding and coffee.
The price you pay for the entire day includes £21 towards a bottle of wine for two people from the wine list and yes, there are a number at that price, although if you want to really push the boat out you can treat yourself to a £160 bottle of Bordeaux.
A day out on the Northern Belle is not cheap, but it is an experience that will live with you forever. Every passenger I spoke to said it was worth every penny – and that’s what counts.
Travel facts
Journeys departing from Birmingham in 2010 are from £195 per person and include trips to sporting events, country homes and castles, flower shows and other wonderful itineraries. Many other stops are available
Reservations: 0845 077 2222 or www.orient-express.com
