What They Say
During the festive season, the vintage carriages of our Belmond’s train are aptly transformed, capturing the wonderful spirit of Christmas. Lounge in restored comfort and enjoy a succulent meal with all the trimmings as the beautiful winter countryside passes you by. Whether a festive gift for someone special or simply a chance to spoil yourself, this wonderful train journey promises a day to remember.
The Style
If you, like me, grew up thinking the golden age of travel was something consigned to black-and-white films and gilded nostalgia, the British Pullman is here to firmly correct us all.
Boarding the Pullman at London Victoria feels altogether magical, Harry Potter-esque: amid the throngs of hurried, preoccupied commuters, you find yourself one of the fortunate few destined for a train that’s anything but ordinary.
Walking through the noise, clatter and mad panic so characteristic of any London station, you might feel out of place. (No one else seems to be in a floor-length velvet gown at 10am on a Thursday.) That is, until you step on board when your whole world ripples into a splendour that feels almost cinematic.
Adding to this storied magnificence are the individual carriages (or ‘cars’ if we’re using the correct locomotive terminology), which are themselves distinct chapters in the most opulent book I’ve ever read, each with its own past and personality.
Our journey unfolded in the Phoenix carriage, whose history was shared by our buoyant steward, Adam. Built in 1927 under the name Rainbow, it began as a first-class parlour car. But in 1936, the carriage caught fire, leaving only its frame intact. From the charred ashes, it was reborn as Phoenix, soon to become a firm favourite of the late Queen and Queen Mother.
This time of year, the Phoenix is tastefully decorated with sprinkles of festive glamour. Bountiful Christmas wreaths festoon every luggage rack and large tempting crackers lay in wait at every place setting. These are touches that complement its usual décor of American cherrywood panelling, plush navy armchairs, marquetry floral bouquets and swooping textured curtains.
All this perfectly curated interior is, of course, just part of your surroundings; the Kent countryside will soon be unfurling outside.
The Drink
The day begins with a much-welcomed classic: a warming and fragrant mulled wine. It’s one festive treat after the next, with your Art Deco cup and saucer soon being replaced with a fizzing Champagne flute as the train draws you out of London.
To complement the meal, we were given the choice of a red, white or a sparkling rosé. For us, a bottle of the French malbec proved a perfect partner for the seasonal dishes.
Whilst the included drinks were more than sufficient, guests could find something extra from the extensive à la carte drinks menu at an additional cost.
The Food
Once the homemade focaccia and seeded rolls had soaked up the introductory alcohol, it was on to the mulled-wine-cured salmon with golden trout roe and delicate potato flatbreads. As the plates are lowered down before us, our steward Mitch merrily reassures us of the dedication to fresh local produce – the salmon sourced from Stratford and smoked near the Olympic Park.
The second course, winter squash and English wildflower honey soup, was scrumptious. The added touch of a truffle crème fraîche, generously spooned on beneath our piqued noses, elevated a familiar and comforting dish to something more refined, more luxurious, more Belmond.
Chugging into Margate, it was between a turkey ballotine with pancetta and chestnuts or a beef royale (both paired with a medley of classic trimmings) for the main event. Having tried them both, I can confirm there’s no wrong answer here – carefully sourced ingredients, prepared and cooked to perfection.
Pudding arrived triumphantly: a decadent Valrhona chocolate yule log with a tart cranberry compote, served just as we approached Sittingbourne. And by Rochester, we were tucking into the Great British Festive Cheeseboard: cheddar, blue stilton and brie, served with spiced scones, grapes and a pear and fig chutney.
Just as Canary Wharf began flickering into view, teas and coffees were served alongside the final flourish: luxuriant milk and white chocolate truffles – a sweet send-off for our reluctant return to reality.
The Entertainment
I’m not usually a dinner-with-a-show type, but once again Belmond proved me wrong. It’s all in the execution, and as you’d expect from this luxury giant, every element was carefully considered to complement the ambience of the experience. The soft murmurings of ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’ rumbled through the carriage not long before Steph on the sax walked right up to our table, and we realised the music was, in fact, live.
At various points throughout the meal, we were regaled by two magicians, going table-to-table, creating the feel of an impromptu parlour game rather than a formal performance. A final musical interlude came in the form of a talented 1920s-inspired trio, The Wild Tonics, singing a dulcet rendition of ‘Sleigh Ride’ in dazzling red sequinned flapper dresses.
The entertainment aboard the Pullman is as transitory as the landscape – perfectly balanced to complement the journey without ever overshadowing it. Belmond understands the true star of the experience is the dining itself, which is why the function of the entertainment is as moreish amuse-bouches to the headline act: the five-course festive feast.
The Verdict
The only merry-go-round I’ll be getting on this year, the Pullman’s Festive Lunch experience isn’t about the destination – it’s about the journey. And what a journey it is: exquisite dining, first-class service and immersive entertainment. A masterfully crafted venture into nostalgia, wreathed in the warm glow of the festive season. If you’re looking for a way to slip into the Christmas spirit, I honestly can’t think of anything more magical. (I’d give it six stars if I could.)
The Details
Departing from London Victoria, the British Pullman’s Festive Lunch experience is a round trip through the Kent countryside. Tickets include a five-course meal, champagne, mulled wine, tea/coffee and onboard entertainment. Prices start at £535 per person.