steam train trips from manchester

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Northern Belle

Experience exquisite luxury train travel aboard the Northern Belle

A step back in time to the 1930’s, Northern Belle luxury train journeys evoke a sense of opulence during the golden age of travel. This luxurious yet intimate train transverses via the glorious Great British countryside en-route to some of Britain’s most exquisite destinations. The Northern Belle is a luxury locomotive like no other, with exquisite carriages evoking a sense of 1930’s high-class style and liveried stewards that combine to offer a genuinely authentic experience. Sumptuous cuisine compliments every journey with lavish five-course dinners effervescent afternoon teas and specialist journeys with bespoke designed menus. A well-stocked bar is also on hand to provide you with any beverage you may desire. Wherever you choose to go, there is no finer way to experience the genuine opulence of 1930’s rail travel. The Northern Belle is the finest example of vintage carriages the UK has to offer and is dedicated to providing a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Timings are provisional and subject to network rail confirmation 7 days prior to departure.

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Ride a steam train on the East Lancashire Railway

Bury, greater manchester.

This beautifully restored heritage railway puffs through stunning countryside, quaint villages and historic towns.

The East Lancashire Railway is a 12-mile heritage steam railway line through the Irwell Valley in northwest England. With its scenic blend of rolling countryside and post-industrial landscapes, the journey gives a taste of what train travel was like in Victorian England. The route stretches between the towns of Rawtenstall and Heywood, stopping off at six stations and skirting the edge of the West Pennine Moors. The original track opened in 1846 at the peak of England’s ‘railway mania’ and is today preserved by more than 600 volunteers. It has access to the mainline too, allowing for a constant turnover of celebrated steam and diesel engines. Journeys for the Railway depart from Bolton Street station in the town of Bury, 10 miles (16km) north of Manchester. To get there, it’s a 30 minute tram journey from Manchester Victoria station. Manchester is 2 hours 10 minutes by train from London.

Content provided by Visit Manchester

• Find out more about the East Lancashire Railway and plan your visit
• Find more heritage breaks in Manchester

For more local tourist information:

• Manchester Visitor Information Centre Tic
• Email Address [email protected]
• Contact Details 0871 222 8223

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Relax with a day's birding at Langford Lakes

Open bodies of water are a rarity in south Wiltshire, making Langford Lakes nature reserve an attractive stopping-off point for a host of wild birds.

Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire

Go behind the scenes of Manchester’s Town Hall

Explore the spectacular staterooms and corridors of the Victorian gothic-style Manchester Town Hall.

Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester

Get the inside story on Manchester’s music scene

See the sights of the city that inspired Manchester’s legendary music scene and made it the envy of the world, with Manchester Music Tours.

Discover the fictional home of Home Fires

Follow in the footsteps of the Great Paxford Women’s Institute with a visit to the picturesque Cheshire village of Bunbury.

Location: Bunbury, Cheshire

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Our Journeys

Celebrations, britain's most luxurious train.

Experience luxury rail travel at its very best aboard the Northern Belle train

Last remaining seats Christmas Lunch Celebrate Christmas in opulent style on board the Northern Belle luxury train.

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Caviar, Champagne and much more!

To celebrate our fantastic recognition from Condé Nast Traveller magazine, we are enhancing our guest experience at no additional cost with the inclusion of a Champagne reception, Caviar and Blinis , upgraded Sommelier's choice wine, Port with the cheese board and Fortnum & Mason tea . We've also brought back Champagne Afternoon Tea which includes a bottle of Laurent-Perrier champagne per couple.

Give The Gift of Luxury Train Travel

Delight friends or loved ones with a unique and unforgettable experience on board the Northern Belle, where they can immerse themselves in opulence while traversing breathtaking landscapes. Whether it's a romantic escapade or a thoughtful gesture, Northern Belle gift cards offer a remarkable journey that will be treasured for years to come.

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Condé Nast Traveller

Readers’ choice awards 2023.

The Northern Belle has been voted one of "the best train trips in the world" by readers of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller magazine for the second year in a row.

The magazine said: "It’s all about the food – and the scenery. The meal services are exquisite, offering fine dining crafted mostly from UK suppliers so you can enjoy classic British fare as the heaths, meadows and dales roll on by."

The epitome of luxury & elegance

Our mission is simple; to exceed our guests' expectations. We are constantly striving to improve the experience, make special memories for our passengers and operate the most luxurious train.

Experience luxury rail travel at its finest

Beyond the world of ordinary first-class there has been an almost secret world. Since the dawn of railways there has existed a world of private luxury trains and only a handful remain. The Northern Belle is one such Train, and the most luxurious, carefully restored to its former glory by the Venice Simplon-Orient Express. Welcome to our world.

News, Views & Offers

Our mission is simple; to exceed our guests' expectations. We are constantly striving to improve the experience, make special memories for our passengers & operate the most luxurious train.

Read our fabulous reviews

5 out of 5 stars

We were greeted by the most friendly and amazing smile, from the moment we got on board, the staff went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction, the welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff made the day very pleasant. The menu offered a delightful array of dishes, each expertly crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Every bite was a culinary delight. My dining experience was truly exceptional. and I can’t wait to return. The luxurious train, coupled with exceptional service, made our day truly memorable Highly recommended!

Absolutely fantastic this Christmas trip is a must the best experience you can give someone the staff are absolutely lovely the food amazing could not fault this at all.

The Christmas Festive Lunch journey from Liverpool to Holyhead was great. We were in the Glamis carriage and the decor was lovely. The food was delicious and the porn star martini was very good. We were serenaded by songs and there was also a magician going from table to table. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I was very thankful that we had Del in our carriage who was very helpful. As we no longer spring chickens. He kindly helped us out of and back into the carriage. A big thank you. I hope the managers will thank him from us. Someone who is that willing and helpful should be utilised to the fullest extent. Great team member

First trip in 4 years and just as good as ever, if not better - superb, friendly attentive service attending to our every need in that wonderful atmosphere only found on the Northern Belle and the entertainment too from the singing duo and magician at the table. All four of us had a great day out from Carlisle to Dundee - topped off by a tour of Glamis Castle.

Went on a circuit of Cumbria on 23rd September. Was originally meant to include a return leg through the Dales on the Settle-Carlisle line, but had to be changed due to engineering works on the line. For us, the alternative route down the coast was even better and so we were very happy with the change. Throughout the whole journey, the attentive staff were outstanding and the food and drink were to genuine fine dining standards. The carriage was beautifully presented. Yes, it is expensive, but you don't mind if the experience exceeds all expectations as this one did. Strongly recommended.

Fabulous excursion from Darlington to Edinburgh made an excellent experience by being hauled by Flying Scotsman to mark its Centenary. Absolutely faultless service, food, and organisation. The preparation and presentation of the carriage (Duart) was superb and was regularly maintained throughout the return journey. Nothing was too much trouble for the hardworking staff who cannot be praised highly enough. Main meal of beef was cooked to perfection and melted in the mouth. Absolutely recommended to anyone. A wonderful day.

We did the Flying Scotsman centenary special journey - from York to Edinburgh. What a wonderful day! The superb, efficient team worked hard to make our day memorable. The luxurious carriages and excellent food and beverages added to the glamour of the day. I’d recommend one of the Northern Belle journeys to anyone wanting this kind of special day out.

What an absolutely wonderful experience. A perfect day with friends spent being served outstanding food and drink by kind, attentive staff whilst relaxing in luxurious surroundings. The whole experience ran like clockwork and will be fondly remembered.

Our hosts Emma and Assam worked very hard in hot conditions to make this a memorable experience. The carriage was comfortable, despite the heat, and the food service for our champagne afternoon tea was excellent. We made our way across Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk and the food and drink kept flowing and filled the time well. This is a great experience and one we would look to do again and would recommended anyone looking to do an afternoon tea for a special occasion to look at this as it is so different from the norm.

We travelled the Liverpool-Edinburgh route of the Northern Belle as part of a birthday present. We were in the Harlech carriage and attended by Barry, Lily and Del. The overall experience was already good in our view but the staff made it perfect, very attentive, chatty and also helpful with whatever we needed. The job they do is difficult, trying to provide a luxury experience for their guests while being bounced about a railway track, but they did it professionally! not once moaning or groaning about it. Had a superb day, the staff were polite and couldn't do enough and we thoroughly enjoyed it! so thank you guys, you are a credit to the company!

Excellent customer service these days is a luxury, and Northern Belle have this down to a fine art. From the beautifully decorated immaculate carriages, fantastic food with accompanying drinks to the attention to detail, the whole day was a wonderful experience for my family and I.

An amazing day of luxury and wonderful service and who doesnt want to go to Devon in a day! This was a day of pure pampering thanks to Anwyn, Phil and Lucy who looked after us on the Belvoir carriage of the Northern Belle. They really were fantastic. Make sure you have dieted for a few days as the food really is amazing and keeps in coming! The service from all three in beautiful surroundings really did make this a special experience and the added bonus was 24 degrees sunshine in Devon. Included was the Dart Valley steam train and ferry tickets to Dartmouth and a lovely afternoon strolling by the river and a glass of wine before we headed back to the Nothern Belle for the journey home. Most people were celebrating an anniversary or birthday so a lovely atmosphere on the train. Worth every penny and 5 star review fully deserved.

12/8/23 My husband & I travelled on the NB I can’t Thank the ladies enough for their hospitality & generosity on the beautiful, colourful & Very comfortable Chatsworth. The food was endless & the presentation was mouth watering. Tremendous charisma & presence from anwen. What a chatty, friendly, kind & approachable host. Always smiling. Really made us feel relaxed & at ease. I can't tell you how much we enjoyed being passengers in luxury. It was lovely spending the day in trustworthy hands. All the staff work so hard to accommodate for the train. It’s remarkable. Thank you for a special memorable day

As a birthday gift from my employers my daughter and I had a trip from Edinburgh to Dumfries House (which included a guided tour), brunch. and champagne reception with a 5 course dinner on the way home. A full day from 9:20 in the morning to arriving back in Edinburgh after 10p.m. and the most wonderful experience from start to finish. You feel very special sitting in the beautiful surroundings (the Alnwick carriage), amazing food, lovely staff and not forgetting the on board entertainment. For anyone wanting to experience something special I would highly recommend the Northern Belle and look forward to doing it again in the future.

What an amazing experience. The train was fabulous and the staff made it their misdion to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves. Cannot fault the food or the staff. If you want to spoil yourself you must do this trip.

From the moment we got to Durham train station the service on the Northern Belle was fantastic. The staff attention to detail was great. The food was incredible and Glamis Castle was lovely place to visit. I would like to thank the staff to allow me to see their kitchen and talk to the chef. I can't recommend this more highly then say it was worth very penny!

We travelled on The Northern Belle from Cardiff to Truro on 3/6/23. From the minute you board right throughout your journey, you are treated to the luxury of the train. The seats are armchairs, the crockery and glasses are quality and the food is absolutely outstanding. Barry and his team were friendly and professional. We had both musicians and a magician to entertain us. This is our second trip aboard The Northern Belle and certainly hope it’s not the last.

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Day Out With Thomas

Halloween ghost trains.

On sale now

Final chance to ride Pendennis Castle at ELR

27-28 April

Plan your day out

Explore our stations, timetable and ticket options

See what’s on

We host dozens of exciting events all year long

Experiences

Join us for an unforgettable journey on the ELR

A rail of a time for everyone

There’s always carriage loads of fun for all the family (and plenty to please the train buffs) on the East Lancs Railway. Pop along any day you’d like, or join us for a special event. Leave the car behind and climb aboard one of our incredible heritage steam trains or dazzling diesels – there’s no better way to explore the great outdoors and wonderful market towns of East Lancashire.

Fish and Chip Special

Chip off the old block!

Day Out with Thomas

It’s all aboard the famous blue steam train for a magical ride on Thomas the Tank Engine

The Wizarding Adventure

Get your wands ready for a wacky wizard adventure!

Vintage 1940s Weekend

Party like it’s 1949!

Villain Academy

Join a rogue’s gallery of vile villains on a journey to complete a dastardly quest.

Summer Diesel Gala

Diesel powered fun in the sun!

Bury Agricultural Show

The popular Bury Agricultural Show returns for another year.

Ramsbottom Festival

The ELR is proud to sponsor this year’s Ramsbottom Festival!

Classic Car Show

Good Car-ma!

Travel to Wonderland

Take a trip down the rabbit hole for a wondrous adventure.

The Dino Adventure

Take a time travelling safari to meet a herd of baby dinosaurs!

Peppa Pig Family Fun Day

Join everyone’s favourite cheeky little piggy.

World Black Pudding Throwing Championships

Pudding the “ham” in “C-ham-pion”!

Autumn Diesel Gala

The crunch of fallen leaves and the roar of Diesel Engines,

Autumn Steam Gala

The last large scale steam event of the year!

The day (or two) of the DMU. It’s time these railcars took their turn in the spotlight.

It’s the year of the Pumpkin! Dare you face the Pumpkin King on the Halloween Ghost Train?

Mince Pie Special

Reach for the pie!

Whisky Chaser

Whisky in the (Rail) Car-o!

Climb Aboard

Buy tickets and check timetables

Dine Aboard

Experience a magnificent meal

From Heywood to Rawtenstall, every stop is a start.

A 12 mile line including stunning scenery. 7 stations packed with things to do. There’s so much to explore along the East Lancashire Railway, you won’t know where to begin. That’s OK. Start at any stop. Hop on, hop off and just enjoy your journey with us.

What people are saying about us

We’ve been welcoming fun-seeking families and passionate railway buffs for over 30 years

We depend on your support

We keep our trains running and the ELR line open thanks to the generous help from our supporters and volunteers. Can we count on you too?

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11 Unmissable Day Trips from Manchester (By Train & Car!)

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

The following list of day trips from Manchester is brought to you by Tilly from  TillyText , a Manchester local! Read on for her roundup of the greatest Manchester day trips, and how to access them by car or train.

There’s a reason it’s hard to drag yourself away from Manchester.

Well, there’s about nine. Music, shopping, culture and one-hell-of-a-night-out. It’s true when they say Manchester truly has everything you could wish for from a great Northern city in the UK. 

But so do the areas surrounding Manchester, too. You’ve got the swoon-worthy Lake District so beautiful that Taylor dedicated a whole entire song to it on her album – in fact, pretty much all of the cute quaint little towns outside Manchester look like they belong in the Folklore universe. 

Not to mention the bustling cities of York and Liverpool that are on hand to help you experience a distinctly different flavour of a good British knees-up!

So, if you’re lucky enough to have set aside a whole weekend to explore Manchester and its surrounding areas, why not jump on the train (or snag a lift) to do one of these fab day trips – after smashing through this 24 hours in Manchester itinerary, of course.

Save this list of Manchester Day Trips for Later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

1. Liverpool

The argument over which is a better city has made Mancunians and Liverpudlians even feistier over the years (an achievement in itself!). An easy way for you to settle this debate is to visit them both yourself. 

If you’re a big Beatles fan, there’s plenty of fun Beatles-themed Liverpool activities, like the Magical Mystery Tour , a fascinating 2-hour tour over every spot in the city the band ever laid eyes on. Or head to the British Music Experience Museum to fully cement the idea that no one has contributed more to British music than Northerners. 

Finish the day by testing out some of Liverpool’s incredible beer gardens and terraces, before moving onto Matthew Street or one of the city’s very many Irish bars for a night out you definitely won’t forget in a hurry. 

And yes, that photo of you and the John Lennon statue will definitely look good in the morning.

How to get to Liverpool from Manchester: The drive to Liverpool takes just over an hour if you’re willing to deal with city centre parking. Equally, you can get a direct train from either Manchester Victoria or Manchester Picadilly to Liverpool Lime Street for less than £10.

2. Crosby Beach  

Look, no one is going to the North of England for beaches. That’s what the South is for! 

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great coastal spots up there too. One of these is Crosby Beach. 

Crosby Beach is just outside Liverpool city centre, which makes it a very doable day trip from Manchester. Come summer, the beach is full of groups of friends enjoying those endless summer evenings with a picnic blanket, music speaker, and can of supermarket gin and tonic. 

And the pièce de résistance to Crosby Beach? The 100 cast-iron figures stretching the coastline, many of which are in the water when the tide comes back in. So, no. You don’t need to call the coastguard to rescue that random person who is stuck still in the far distance.

How to get to Crosby Beach from Manchester: Unless you’re driving to Crosby Beach, the quickest way to get there from Manchester is taking a train from Manchester Victoria or Manchester Picadilly to Liverpool Lime Street, and then changing onto a train to Blundellsands & Crosby station. The beach is a 10-minute walk from there.

3. Hebden Bridge

There’s no doubt that Manchester has its fair share of vegetarian eateries, independent coffee houses, and shops full of everything and anything. 

But so does the small market town of Hebden Bridge. And some might even say it does it better!

After it was taken over by former hippies in the 1970s, Hebden Bridge quickly became home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, locally sourced and independent businesses, and a melting pot of free-thinking and liberation. 

The reason I love Hebden Bridge is because it’s one of the more unique day trips from Manchester. Where else are you able to spend hours trawling through one-of-a-kind stores stocking eco-friendly clothing, and also go wild swimming, too?

How to get to Hebden Bridge from Manchester: Direct trains from Manchester Victoria to Hebden Bridge take less than 30 minutes and cost less than £5.

4. Hope Valley (The Peak District)

Much like how Evermore is Folklore’s chaotic younger sister , the Peak District is the dramatic and all-encompassing counterpart to the more serene and cool-as-a-cucumber Lake District. 

If you’re looking to find yourself in the Peaks’ many gritstone ridges and stark moorlands (or just fancy getting away from the hustle and bustle of Manchester city centre for the day) head to Hope Valley. 

Here, you can strap on your walking boots and complete one of the many renowned nearby walks like Mam Tor and Kinder Scout. 

And the best reward after a couple of hours hiking in the Hope Valley? A cold pint of cider or a hot mulled wine in one of the local villages – depending on the season you visit. 

However, I’d argue a Sunday roast goes well whatever the weather. 

How to get to Hope Valley from Manchester: Hope Valley is a great option for those who want to explore The Peak District without a car. You can get the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Hope (Derbyshire) for about £7.50 and takes less than 50 minutes.

It’s okay that Manchester isn’t the prettiest city. Why? Because Buxton’s just over an hour away. 

Step into the set of Bridgerton (not literally – that’s Bath , but Buxton looks close!) in this quaint town full to the brim with Georgian and Victorian architecture that’s guaranteed to make you swoon. 

You could take a romantic stroll in Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens while keeping an eye out for the Duke of Hastings looking for his next wife, or rent a boat and go rowing in the lake desperately hoping that Anthony will appear soaking and shirtless on the promenade!

After trying (and sadly probably failing) to be married off into perhaps the greatest literary family out there, you can dry your tears on Buxton’s outdoor adventure Go Ape course where you’ll have so much fun swinging through the trees, you won’t even notice the humungous camel toe from your harness…

How to get to Buxton from Manchester: You can get a train from Manchester to Buxton that takes just over an hour, and starts from just £5 if you book in advance.

Small and mighty – that’s the best way to describe York. And fitting everything into only one day might be a challenge, but it’s definitely possible. 

You just have to keep an eye on the time you spend getting lost in this medieval city’s higgledy-piggledy back lanes, the number of cups of tea you drink at Betty’s Tea Rooms, and the photos you take in the 2,000-year-old Gothic halls of York’s cathedral!

If you still need convincing that York is worth the visit, why not trust the thousands of people who have voted it as one of the UK’s top tourist destinations? They probably went to the city’s Viking Centre, too… yep, you read that right.

How to get to York from Manchester: There are tons of trains that go between York and Manchester every day. The journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes and can cost as little as £6.90 if you book ahead of time.

7. The Lake District 

Find out if those Windermere peaks really do look like a perfect place to cry by visiting the Lake District for a day. 

Compared to the Peaks, the Lakes are a little further out of Manchester – but they’re definitely more than worth the extra journey…

You could honestly just go to The Lake District for the jaw-dropping scenery itself, but if you’re up for it, there are also a few short-ish hikes that’ll really help you understand why Taylor kept begging to go back here. 

The Old Man of Coniston route takes you up and through some of The Lakes’ steepest and most spectacular peaks, passing the many remnants of discounted copper mines. No doubt the incredible view from the top from leave you speechless and unable to shout all the many Wordsworth puns in your repertoire. 

Finish your day trip to The Lake District by visiting some of the other imaginatively named towns like Ambleside or Lakeside. The best way to get there? Across Lake Windermere on a boat, of course. Oh, Taylor would be so proud!

How to get to the Lake District from Manchester: The easiest way to get to the Lake District is to drive, however, it is possible to get the train. There are over 30 direct trains from Manchester to Oxenholme Lake District every day. Just be wary of the walk on the other side to get to the different hotspots.

8. Stockport

If you’d asked a Mancunian about the best Manchester day trips ten years ago, they would never have said Stockport. However, this historic market town is now well and truly on the map. 

Just seven minutes on the train from Manchester Picadilly, Stockport is the definition of a great day trip destination: accessible, affordable, and different enough from the starting point 

Take Stockport’s unique hat museum, for example. That’s not in Manchester! And the gorgeous 1930s art deco theatre that does afternoon tea. You can’t find that in the city! 

Aside from some brilliant cultural landmarks and museums (don’t miss Stockport’s Staircase House, a Medieval townhouse that’s been converted into a museum), there are also tons of great places to eat and drink in Stockport. 

See here: Where the Light Gets In, an open kitchen/restaurant where the chefs aren’t separated from the diners, and the soon-to-be-opened curry banquet hall with room for 1500+ people looking for some delicious Indian cuisine across four staggering floors.

Need I say more?

How to get to Stockport from Manchester: There’s no need to drive to Stockport. You can take a direct train from Manchester Picadilly which takes as little as 7 minutes, or the 203 bus which (unsurprisingly) takes slightly longer.

Fans of the Brontë sisters, this one’s for you. Step into the world of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights with a visit to Haworth, a quintessential village just off the Yorkshire moors. 

With cobbled streets lined with shops and cafes, and majestic steam trains bringing visitors to their very own moorland adventure, Haworth belongs in every Gothic romance. 

There’s also the must-visit Brontë Parsonage Museum where keen Brontë buffs will delight in showing you around the house of these female literary legends. 

Just remember to bring your Cathy or your Heathcliffe with you…

How to get to Haworth from Manchester: The far easiest way to get to Haworth is by car. However, you can also get there by train – it’s just a little long-winded. You could either get the train from Manchester Victoria to Hebden Bridge, before taking the hourly 500 bus to Haworth over the moors. Equally (and a much more fun way) to get to Haworth from Manchester is by taking a train to Leeds, then a train to Keighley. At Keighley, hop onto the restored Keighley and Worth Valley steam train.

10. Dovestones

If you’re keen to escape the hullabaloo of Manchester city centre but have vowed never to be that person who pretends to like hiking , Dovestones is a great middleman. 

Part of the Peak District National Park, a day trip to Dovestone Reservoir will give you the chance to experience the unique beauty of the Peaks, but on a much more toned-down scale; a popular walk in the Dovestone Reservoir is a pretty flat circular route around the Reservoir edge and briefly up into the Twilight -esque forest. 

Hold on tight, Spider Monkey!

Those in desperate need of some cool countryside air often head to Dovestones with a picnic in tow, ready to be eaten near the end of the trail on the allocated picnic benches. 

If it’s chilly, you’ll also likely see many walkers warming themselves up on their flasks of tea and hot chocolate!

How to get to Dovestones from Manchester: Annoyingly, Dovestones isn’t very accessible by public transport, so your best bet is to go by car (or head to Hope Valley in the Peak District instead.)

11. Chester 

Chester is my Roman Empire. No, really. This historic city is home to the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain – not to mention some great places to grab some grub and a pint.

I often find cities that feel like you’re reading a history textbook aren’t usually as good for eating, drinking, and shopping – but that doesn’t fly with Chester. 

You could spend hours nosing about independent and high-street brands in Chester’s Tudor-style half-timber buildings or following the Roman walls along traditional boozers and local pubs!

Slightly left-field suggestions for a Chester day trip include a visit to Chester Zoo (one of the UK’s largest zoos that’s so famous it appears on British TV) and kayaking or paddleboarding along the River Dee. 

Equally, having a drink and a mooch around the Roman ruins is great, too.

How to get to Chester from Manchester: You can get a direct train to Chester from Manchester in 50 minutes for as cheap as £5.80 if you book ahead of time.

Did we miss any of your favourite Day Trips from Manchester? 

Let us know in the comments!

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Sunset Steam Express

Thursday 20 june 2024.

• London Victoria

Our ever popular Sunset Steam Express trips return for another season. Enjoy a nostalgic steam train trip through the Surrey Hills, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Soak up the stunning views as we head out through the suburbs of London before beginning our steep climb through the Surrey Hills as the sun sets.  Often described as ‘one of England’s finest landscapes’, The Surrey Hills stretch across the chalk North Downs.  The grandeur and beauty of these hills embrace an amazing variety of countryside from rolling chalk downs and flower rich grasslands, to acid heaths and woodlands. Bask in the sun-kissed beauty of these glorious surroundings whilst indulging in a harmonious blend of the finest Champagne and fine dining, or indulge in drinks and snacks from our Cocktail Bar or Buffet Car.

SOMETHING TO SUIT EVERYONE

Classes of travel, pullman dining.

A sumptuous culinary experience amidst opulent surroundings, where guests can relax in plush, spacious armchair seating arranged around splendidly dressed tables of two and four. Attentive service adds an ambiance of old-world charm and sophistication, transporting you to a world of nostalgia and comfort.

Guests will be welcomed on board with a glass of Champagne, followed by a three course evening meal concluding with freshly brewed coffee. We cater for special dietary requirements such as Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free and Pescatarian, please confirm this with our reservations team at least seven days prior to travel.

First Class

Your journey begins in elegantly restored carriages with comfortable and spacious seating around tables of two and four, where you will be welcomed on board with sparkling wine and freshly brewed coffee and tea.

Sink into your seat as scenic vistas unfold, or venture through to the restored Hippocrene Bar (named after the fountain of Mount Helicon in Greek Mythology), available exclusively to First Class guests. Here you can purchase additional drinks from our specially chosen drinks list including cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, and cold drinks, or soak up the convivial atmosphere and mingle with fellow guests.

Premium Standard

Premium Standard offers a nostalgic and authentic journey onboard a beautifully restored carriage that embodies the charm of a bygone era, with its classic decor and comfortable seating around tables for four.

Passengers can enjoy the sights and sounds of steam travel and the camaraderie of fellow travelers, whilst enjoying complimentary tea and coffee. Passengers are invited to treat themselves at our Buffet Car where they will find a selection of hot and cold snacks and a selection of wine, beer, spirits, and cold drinks available for purchase.

TRAVEL TIMINGS*

Boarding stations.

The following pick-up and set-down stations are available on this journey

PLEASE NOTE * All timings shown above are approximate and may be subject to change.

Scheduled locomotive

70000 Britannia is a British Railways Standard class 7 engine, alternatively known as the Britannia class, and the first of 55 to be built by British Railways in Crewe.

Completed in January 1951 she was built for express passenger services between London and Norwich.

The BR Standard classes were designed by drawing on the best qualities from several previous locomotives to create an efficient engine that was produced with lower maintenance costs and weight saving measures to enable it to work across a wider geography.

Britannia has 2 cylinders, 6 driving wheels and a firebox of 42ft2 with most of the motion situated on the outside of the frames for ease of maintenance. Whilst limited to 75mph the locomotive is capable of reaching speeds up to 100mph.

For many years Britannia’s cab roof was painted white to commemorate her pulling the funeral train of King George VI from Sandringham to London in 1952. After 15 years of service in May 1966 Britannia was retired and after spells at preserved railways returned to the national network between 1991 and 1997 until major repairs were required and the locomotive was withdrawn for overhaul. In 2010 Britannia was steamed once more and 2011 marked the locomotive’s return to the main line after a 14 year absence. In one of her most important roles, Britannia hauled The Royal Train from Preston to Wakefield in January 2012.

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UPDATED: Manchester to Stratford Steam train to run this Saturday

UPDATE: This tour is now diesel hauled

Steam locomotive 45690 Leander will be back in steam on the mainline and will visit Manchester and Stafford this Saturday, 9th April 2022.

The Jubilee class locomotive is hauling a railtour from Manchester to Stratford-upon-Avon .

The train will depart Manchester Victoria at 07:33 and will then pass through Denton (08:08), Stockport (08:42), Wilmslow (08:57), Sandbach (09:41), Crewe (09:53), Stafford (10:34), Penkridge (11:04), Wolverhampton (11:18), Birmingham New Street (11:43), Tyseley (11:59), Dorridge (12:25), and Stratford-upon-Avon at 13:05.

After a couple of hours in Stratford-upon-Avon, the train will depart at 16:52 and will pass thorugh Henley-in-Arden (17:10), Whitlocks End (17:23), Tyseley (17:33), Walsall (18:23), Penkridge (18:56), Stafford (19:05), Crewe (20:16), Sandbach (20:28), Alderley Edge (21:26), Wilmslow (21:30), Cheadle Hulme (21:40), Stockport (21:46) and Manchester Piccadilly .

These above timings in brackets are approximate; please click the links below, which track the train throughout the day to keep you up to date on when it will pass through your local station.

For timings on these movements, please click the links below:

• 1Z40 0733 Manchester Victoria to Stratford-upon-Avon
• 1Z41 1652 Stratford-upon-Avon to Manchester Piccadilly

If you do go out and see 45690 Leander on the tour, why not share your pictures to LocoStop, our railway community. Click here for more details.

As always, please respect the dangers of the railway. Please do not trespass on the railway to see this iconic locomotive – stay to public access spots!

Where Next?

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Moscow Metro 2019

Will it be easy to find my way in the Moscow Metro? It is a question many visitors ask themselves before hitting the streets of the Russian capital. As metro is the main means of transport in Moscow – fast, reliable and safe – having some skills in using it will help make your visit more successful and smooth. On top of this, it is the most beautiful metro in the world !

. There are over 220 stations and 15 lines in the Moscow Metro. It is open from 6 am to 1 am. Trains come very frequently: during the rush hour you won't wait for more than 90 seconds! Distances between stations are quite long – 1,5 to 2 or even 3 kilometers. Metro runs inside the city borders only. To get to the airport you will need to take an onground train - Aeroexpress.

RATES AND TICKETS

Paper ticket A fee is fixed and does not depend on how far you go. There are tickets for a number of trips: 1, 2 or 60 trips; or for a number of days: 1, 3 days or a month. Your trips are recorded on a paper ticket. Ifyou buy a ticket for several trips you can share it with your traveling partner passing it from one to the other at the turnstile.

On every station there is cashier and machines (you can switch it to English). Cards and cash are accepted. 1 trip - 55 RUB 2 trips - 110 RUB

Tickets for 60 trips and day passes are available only at the cashier's.

60 rides - 1900 RUB

1 day - 230 RUB 3 days - 438 RUB 30 days - 2170 RUB.

The cheapest way to travel is buying Troyka card . It is a plastic card you can top up for any amount at the machine or at the ticket office. With it every trip costs 38 RUB in the metro and 21 RUB in a bus. You can get the card in any ticket office. Be prepared to leave a deposit of 50 RUB. You can get it back returning the card to the cashier.

SamsungPay, ApplePay and PayPass cards.

One turnstile at every station accept PayPass and payments with phones. It has a sticker with the logos and located next to the security's cabin.

GETTING ORIENTED

At the platfrom you will see one of these signs.

It indicates the line you are at now (line 6), shows the direction train run and the final stations. Numbers below there are of those lines you can change from this line.

In trains, stations are announced in Russian and English. In newer trains there are also visual indication of there you are on the line.

To change lines look for these signs. This one shows the way to line 2.

There are also signs on the platfrom. They will help you to havigate yourself. (To the lines 3 and 5 in this case). 

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Siemens and Russian Machines to partner on Moscow Metro bid

Siemens and Russian Machines Corporation have established a new joint venture in a bid to compete for a contract to build Moscow’s new fleet of metro trains.

Moscow Metro has already indicated that it plans to procure around 3,000 cars between now and 2020 and the partnership, which will be headquartered in Moscow, hopes to strengthen its chances by setting up locally.

Announcing the joint venture, Siemens said that the new company will employ around 800 people.

Jochen Eickholt, chief executive of the Rail Systems Division at Siemens, said: “Siemens is the most successful foreign provider of rail technology in the Russian market.

“We want to further reinforce this role in the country. With Russian Machines, we have won one of the most renowned industrial companies in Russia as a partner.”

In September last year, Siemens and Russian Machines unveiled a concept design for the next generation of Moscow metros at Expo 1520.

Bombardier and UVZ have already established a similar partnership and developed their own concepts, having already won a contract to supply trams to the Russian capital.

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