Luxury train to offer fireworks spectacle and seven-course banquet on journey from Preston
There will be fireworks when “Britain’s poshest train” heads sets out from Preston three days before Bonfire Night. Passengers will be given a front row view of a spectacular 15-minute […]
The Northern Belle will set out from Preston on Saturday 2 November at 1.20pm Pic: Northern Belle
There will be fireworks when “Britain’s poshest train” heads sets out from Preston three days before Bonfire Night.
Passengers will be given a front row view of a spectacular 15-minute pyrotechnics display from the 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle.
While it takes place, they will be sipping champagne and tucking into a seven-course banquet prepared by celebrated head chef Matthew Green.
The luxury train, once part of the iconic Orient Express set-up, will halt on a viaduct overlooking Arnside Pier on the evening of Saturday 2 November.
A spokesperson said: “The evening will certainly go with a bang – in fact many of them – for our lucky passengers.
“This annual trip is always one of our most popular we run and it is a truly spectacular sight to see the fireworks reflected in the estuary waters below.”
The luxury interior of the Northern Belle Pic: Northern Belle
The Northern Belle even has its own resident band to serenade passengers while a conjuror wanders through the carriages to add an extra touch of magic.
Actor Bill Nighy described it as “the Grand Dame of luxury travel” when it featured on Channel 5’s The World’s Most Scenic Railways programme.
The train, hauled by a vintage diesel locomotive, will leave Preston station at 1.20pm before picking up more passengers at Liverpool and Manchester. It is scheduled to arrive back in the city at 8.10pm.
Fares on the Northern Belle, which will return to the city for a slap-up Christmas Lunch special trip on Thursday 5 December 5, start at £295.
This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/dishes-from-sabayon-in-montreal.jpg?id=54228849&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/eat-drink/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Montreal's dining scene</a> is in the national spotlight once again, with a local spot taking the crown as Canada's best new restaurant for 2024. </p><p><a href="https://enroute.aircanada.com/restaurants/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air Canada's annual Best New Restaurants</a> ranking has placed a cozy, 14-seat <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/we-asked-montrealers-which-restaurants-should-get-a-michelin-star" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Montreal restaurant</a> at number one this year, recognizing its intimate afternoon tea service and elegant dinners that showcase seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.</p><p>Sabayon, led by acclaimed pastry chef Patrice Demers and sommelier Marie-Josée Beaudoin, took the top spot on this prestigious list for 2024. This 14-seat gem is defined by its warm, personal ambiance — you're greeted by the owners themselves, who double as the entire staff, according to Air Canada. </p><p>With Demers working magic in the kitchen and Beaudoin expertly guiding guests through wine pairings, every detail is carefully curated.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwxqM5HLsJ_/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwxqM5HLsJ_/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top" rel="noopener">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Air Canada highlighted the duo's dedication to detail, from Sabayon's intimate afternoon tea service to its innovative dinners. The menu features a seasonal six-course dinner that blurs the line between simplicity and sophistication. Plus, the restaurant's namesake dish — featuring grilled oyster mushrooms, potato purée and a caramelized arlette wafer crowned with a cloud of sabayon sauce — was named Air Canada's Dish of the Year. </p><p>Plus, don't miss the afternoon tea service, available only on Fridays and Saturdays, where Quebec's Camellia Sinensis teas pair with three courses of desserts ranging from brioche to intricate mignardises.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxyHHCvrtx6/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxyHHCvrtx6/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top" rel="noopener">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>But Quebec didn't stop there — another standout from the province, Mont-Tremblant's Maison de Soma, claimed the third spot. Known for redefining farm-to-table dining, this restaurant operates from a 600-acre property in the Laurentian Mountains, using ingredients grown and harvested on site to create unforgettable dishes. </p><p>Montreal's Parapluie also earned a spot on the list, landing in sixth place for its refined, playful take on French bistro dining in the Mile End.</p><p>Air Canada's Best New Restaurants list, now in its 23rd year, is considered a definitive guide to Canada's dynamic food scene. This year, it was compiled by award-winning cookbook author and culinary journalist Tara O'Brady, who visited all 30 restaurants in 16 cities from the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-restaurants-canadas-best-new-restaurants-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">longlist released in September</a> to assess them on culinary vision, quality of ingredients and overall dining experience.</p><p>Here is the full list of Canada's top 10 new restaurants for 2024:</p><ol><li><strong>Sabayon (Montreal)</strong></li><li>Mhel (Toronto, ON)</li><li><strong>Maison de Soma (Mont-Tremblant)</strong></li><li>Takja BBQ House (Toronto, ON)</li><li>Café Malabar (Victoria, BC)</li><li><strong>Parapluie (Montreal)</strong></li><li>Bar Prima (Toronto, ON)</li><li>Fat Rabbit (St. Catharines, ON)</li><li>Gary’s (Vancouver, BC)</li><li>Crumb Queen/Andy's Lunch (Winnipeg, MB)</li></ol><p>This year's list showcases standout dining from seven cities across four provinces, proving that Canada's culinary excellence extends far beyond major hubs — although Sabayon's top ranking proves Montreal might still be king in Canada's food landscape.</p><p><span></span><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
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