Northern Belle Avis 

In 2020 our Family very kindly purchased a trip for two on The Northern Belle, for my Husband's Birthday (their Dad, Dad In Law and Grandpa), knowing that it was something both he and I were very keen to do. Then, Covid hit and so it was cancelled. The booking period was quite rightly extended significantly. Very sadly though, post covid, they put their prices up so much that the gift, which had covered the trip for my husband and myself, now only covered him + a Teddy and a pen. We're not well off and couldn't afford the vast amount that we would have needed to pay for me to accompany him, so today my husband is making the trip alone. He sent some photos and it looks as though it could have been an amazing experience...but for us it was spoilt. That saddens us both, because of the huge effort that our Family went to in providing us with such an opportunity and because we were so looking forward to it, especially as it's our Golden Wedding Anniversary this year.

I booked this for my parents, special birthday. It was a round trip involving the steam train and luxury dining experience costing £750 plus a further £90 for a table for two.

I got an email a few days later saying that although there had been availability for a table for two, there now wasn’t, and what did I want to do, trying to cancel as I felt the email was rude saying it’s better to phone them when you book, almost blaming me that they have overbooked.

From the start it was a Amazing staff was Waiting to welcome you on board
All the staff was amazing
The train is Beautiful
The food was out of this world
Thank you
Gary & Sharon Watkins

Booked for grandads 85th Birthday, on actual birthday. Cancelled 4 days before trip. Basic email, no reason given
Tried to call but office obvs. shut early or just not taking calls. Ruined his birthday, been looking forward to it for months. Shameful.

I write in relation to the Northern Belle Company and the aborted Cheltenham Gold Cup Day Train Experience March 2023. In short, Northern Belle promised to deliver a race day experience costing £695pp, which was not fulfilled. A major selling point of the experience focuses on a six course fine dining experience on the return journey. Within ten minutes of the commencement of the return journey customers were informed this was not going to occur, and they would have to alight at Reading and make their own way back to London using another train operator. There was nothing wrong with the train. There was nothing wrong with the train lines. National rail was blamed. In retrospect there was indication that the event was not going to go ahead as sold/planned. (1) Due to other trains taking priority, the journey going was delayed reducing the race day experience, (2) the table layout was set four courses light and (2) the "memorable gift on departure” was left on the table. I do question whether the company knew well in advance that the event was doomed from the start, but of course refunding a customer in full prior to the event would not have suited. By way of compensation Northern Belle offered £50pp plus 20% reduction on a future booking. In quantifying the day, £50 compensation is not acceptable. After several communications with the company, allowing the Directors six weeks to consider the true circumstances and their responsibilities to their customers, I have received no response. I therefore deduce that it would only be fair for me to share this knowledge with others who potentially may consider booking with this company. Please steer clear.