We are delighted to invite you aboard the luxurious and historic Belmond British Pullman train on Thursday, December 14, 2023, for a Christmas event to remember—a five-star rail journey from London to Canterbury with fine wining and dining on board, to see a candlelit performance of carols in Canterbury Cathedral.
Expect luxury, history, festivities, culture, fine food and wine, and glorious live music on this unforgettable day, travelling through the Garden of England from London Victoria station, complete with fine dining, Champagne and wine to rival the best London restaurants. Originally conceived as ‘Palaces on Wheels’ by George Mortimer Pullman, each lavishly appointed carriage is an original 1920s and ’30s masterpiece from the golden age of rail travel.
Lovingly restored with breathtaking attention to detail, each car is a symphony of intricate marquetry, inlaid mosaic floors, sparkling crystal and beautiful Art Deco design. You will be travelling in style in beautifully restored original named 1920s carriages, all of them with their own tales of history and romance: ‘Audrey’, regularly used by the Royal Family, carried the Queen, the Queen Mother and the Duke of Edinburgh to review the Fleet in 1953; ‘Phoenix’ was the Queen Mother’s favourite; and ‘Perseus’ formed part of the funeral train for Sir Winston Churchill.
Their exquisite design and workmanship is legendary. Art Deco lamps cast a soft glow over polished brass and gleaming mahogany, while plump armchairs provide a supremely comfortable experience. The British Pullman offers passengers the chance to step back in time and experience luxury train travel as it was—and should be. With its original, fully restored 1920s Art Deco carriages and exceptional service delivered by liveried stewards, the train evokes the golden age of travel, when travellers were elegantly dressed and had the time to relax and enjoy their journey.
We too shall relax and enjoy our journey as we board the train in London Victoria Station on the morning of December 1. We shall settle into our plush seats and raise a toast with a sparkling Bellini cocktail to toast the day ahead.
Each elegant table is set with crisp white linen and bespoke china and glassware for the exquisite three-course brunch to follow. As we savour each gastronomic dish we can take time to admire the beautiful marquetry and Art Deco features which surround us. We can sit back and relax as liveried stewards take care of our every need, while we enjoy delightful views of the Kent countryside through the Pullman’s large picture windows.
Canterbury—and England’s first ever cathedral—awaits. The Cathedral is magnificent—famous for its role in the coronations of the Kings and Queens of England and infamous as the location of the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170. The Cathedral itself is vast‚ and beneath its soaring columns and stained glass lies the oldest and one of the most interesting and architecturally important features of Canterbury Cathedral—the Norman Crypt.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR THIS FABULOUS CHRISTMAS 2023 EVENT
This wonderful event includes:
Round-trip travel aboard the Belmond British Pullman luxury train
Welcome sparkling Bellini
Delicious three-course brunch on the outward journey
Carols with the Canterbury Singers at the Cathedral
Free time for shopping and sightseeing
Champagne reception back on board
Sumptuous four-course dinner: British seasonal table d’hôte menu
Half a bottle of wine per person
Coffee, tea and petits fours
Timings:
Bookings will open soon. Please follow the link below to register your interest and look out for the booking opening announcement on eNews.
All bookings are made subject to our full Club Rules and Terms and Conditions (please click to read these here or follow the link at the end of this article), together with the terms and conditions of our Travel Partners.
This offer is available only to CountryClubuk Members. Not yet a Member? Click here first to join the Club and save hundreds of pounds on Day One!