Crewe rail trip applauded by Hollywood star - back again this month

By Ryan Parker 5th May 2022

A luxury rail trip from CREWE that Hollywood actor Bill Nighy praised last year on Channel 5 "The World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys" programme - is happening again this month.

The Northern Belle that was once part of the iconic Orient Express group, will take 250 passengers over the the picturesque route through the Welsh Borders to Cardiff.

Nighy, star of "Love Actually" and many more movies, told viewers: "This is a railway experience that harks back to the halcyon days of travel."

Champagne-sipping passengers, he added, had been "lapping up all that this luxury train has to offer".

The Northern Belle luxury rail trip will call at Crewe on Wednesday May 18 (Ryan Parker).

That included a three-course brunch on the outward journey from Crewe before a five-course dinner with wine on the way home.

A spokesman for the Northern Belle said: "The Cardiff trip with the opportunity to visit the Norman castle and the Marquess of Bute's amazing Gothic mansion has always been popular.

"Bill Nighy really put it on the map during the Channel 5 programme last year.

"We only have a few tickets left for the month's trip and they're selling out fast.

"This journey has proved so popular that we have already arranged to rerun it again in September."

Adding an extra touch of magic to the Crewe trip will be a magician and the train's resident musicians who openly sing to passengers while they dine.

The Northern Belle will call at Crewe at 8.35 on Wednesday May 18. The train will first pick up passengers from Liverpool and Warrington.

It will be back in Crewe the following day (May 19), when passengers have the choice of a slap-up lunch or afternoon tea during a meandering journey through the Cheshire countryside.