If you are looking to dine out in a unique and unusual setting, the West Somerset Railway’s "Quantock Belle" Luxury Dining Train is for you!
Recapture the atmosphere of luxury train travel in the days of steam as you step aboard to wine and dine in style in the comfort of our first class restaurant cars.
Settle down in your seat to enjoy an excellent meal, freshly prepared and cooked in our own kitchen car and presented with a warm welcome from our enthusiastic and experienced staff. Enjoy the beauty of the Quantock Hills and Blue Anchor Bay as your luxury dining train makes its leisurely journey through some of the finest scenery in the West Country from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. Listen to the engine working hard and soak up the unique atmosphere of our former Great Western Railway branch line.
The train, staffed by West Somerset Railway Association volunteers, runs from Bishops Lydeard station on selected dates between April and December. Our "Quantock Belle" Luxury Dining Train services are very popular and advance booking is essential. The fare includes the cost of the meal, first class rail travel for the 40-mile return journey from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead, reserved table and VAT, and represents excellent value for money.
Two sample menus are shown below and a wine list has been carefully chosen to complement the meal. Our Luxury Dining Train also has a bar car, serving a wide range of drinks with personal service to your table throughout your journey.
The Luxury Dining Train offers the option of Sunday Lunch and Saturday Evening Dinner.
Sunday Luncheon: A three course luncheon with coffee is served on the outward journey to Minehead, where the afternoon is free for you to explore the gardens, beaches, shops or harbour of this pleasant seaside town. A Somerset Cream Tea is served on the return journey. Departure from Bishops Lydeard Station is normally at 1pm, returning from Minehead late afternoon.
Sunday Luncheon trains run on the following dates:
| April | 13, 27 |
| May | 18 |
| June | 1, 6, 22, 29 |
| July | 13, 20 |
| September | 7, 14, 21, 28 |
| October | 12, 19 |
| November | 2 |
The all-inclusive fare is £28.00 per person.
Saturday Evening Dinner: A three course dinner with coffee is served as the train makes its leisurely journey to Minehead, making a short scenic stop en route to enjoy the beauty of the Quantock Hills. On arrival at Minehead there will be a break of around an hour, allowing time to take in the sea air, before rejoining the train for the return journey, during which coffee and a cheese platter will be served. Departure from Bishops Lydeard Station is normally at 7pm.
Saturday Evening Dinner trains run on the following dates:
| May | 3, 24 |
| June | 14 |
| July | 26 |
| August | 9, 23 |
The all-inclusive fare is £30.00 per person.
Menus:
Sample Menu – Sunday Luncheon
(subject to variation)
Tomato and Basil Soup
Warm Smoked Mackerel (with brown bread & butter)
Chilled Fruit Juice
Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding
Roast & New Potatoes
Selection of Vegetables
Apple Pie with Cream or Custard Sauce
Strawberry Meringue Nest
Fresh Fruit Salad
Cheese Platter
Coffee
A vegetarian main course is also available if notified when booking.
How to book on the Luxury Dining Train: Advance booking is essential for all trains. Please telephone 01823 433856 to check availability of seats and to make a provisional reservation, which is held for 7 days whilst payment is completed. Most major credit and debit cards are accepted. The office is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9.30am - 5pm. There is an answerphone service when the office is closed.
Christmas Dining Trains: Special “Quantock Belle” dining trains – offering a traditional Christmas menu – will also be run in December. Full details will be published later in the year – please telephone us for details (01823 433856).
Non-Dining Seats: A limited number of non-dining seats are usually available on "Quantock Belle" services. Why not bring your own picnic meal, and we will serve drinks from our bar car as you relax in style and enjoy the passing West Somerset scenery from the comfort of your seat. Non-Dining seats are available at £10 per adult and £5 for 5-15 year olds. Seats must be booked in advance.
General Information:
DEPARTURE: All trains (except specials & charters) depart from and return to Bishops Lydeard Station. Lunchtime dining trains normally depart at 1pm, and Evening dining trains at 7pm. Please check your tickets for the exact departure time that applies to the train you are booked on.
STEAM: The "Quantock Belle" is STEAM hauled. In the event of a steam engine not being available, a heritage diesel locomotive will be used.
WHEELCHAIRS: We regret the "Quantock Belle" Luxury Dining Train cannot be boarded in a wheelchair. Our staff are very happy to assist passengers to their seat. Folding wheelchairs can be stored during the journey.
SPECIAL DIETS: If you require a special menu, please tell us when you book your seat.
PARTIES: Company and Group reservations are very welcome and we will be pleased to accommodate your special arrangements.
SUNDRY NOTES: Refunds cannot be made in respect of non use of tickets. We reserve the right to re-book seats that have not been paid for within fourteen days of a telephone reservation. For the comfort and safety of passengers, smoking is not permitted in the dining or bar cars. Passengers are respectfully requested to wear suitably smart dress. Dining Trains are not suitable for babies or small children, except when carried in the Non-Dining section of the train. There are no price concessions. Passengers are carried subject to the Conditions of Carriage of the West Somerset Railway plc and, whilst every effort will be made to maintain the advertised services, no liability for loss, inconvenience or delay caused by cancellation or alteration can be accepted.
Charters and Special Functions: We are always delighted to receive enquiries for the exclusive use of our "Quantock Belle" Luxury Dining Train. We can offer a variety of options and will be pleased to discuss your individual requirements; please telephone 01823 433856. Corporate Hospitality, Office Parties, Wedding Receptions and Anniversaries are just a few of the functions we have held in the past.
Updated: 12 December 2002