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Sunday Luncheon •
Saturday Dinner •
Menus •
How to book •
Christmas trains •
Gift vouchers
Volunteer •
Private charter •
Picnic seats •
Important information
The Quantock Belle Dining Train service operates on the scenic West Somerset Railway between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead recreating the nostalgic atmosphere of the days of steam.
Diners enjoy good food and great company as the train winds its leisurely way through the beautiful Quantock Hills past the ancient port of Watchet and along the coastline at Blue Anchor Bay.
Whatever the occasion may be - a cosy dinner for two, a special anniversary or birthday, or just a Sunday lunch out - we are sure you will find dining on the Quantock Belle a delightful and memorable experience.
We are proud that all our regular Quantock Belle staff are volunteers and that the meals we serve are freshly prepared and cooked on board the train. During your journey, our attentive stewards and wine waiters will provide a complete dining service at your table so you can relax and enjoy your trip.
The Quantock Belle is extremely popular and advance booking is therefore essential. Our fares include:
- first class return travel at your reserved dining table
- all meals and hot drinks served during the journey
- value added tax
Wine and drinks from the bar (including soft drinks) can be purchased on the train.
We are sure you will have a wonderful day out with us, and we look forward to seeing you on the Quantock Belle soon.
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 A special celebration
 Superb service
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A three course luncheon with coffee is served on the outward journey to Minehead, where you have the afternoon free to explore the gardens, beaches, shops or harbour of this pleasant seaside town. A Somerset Cream Tea is served on the return journey to Bishops Lydeard.
Sunday Luncheon trains in 2012 will operate as follows:
| » | April 8, 15, 22, 29 | All-inclusive fare £45 per person
| | » | May 6, 13, 20 | All-inclusive fare £48* per person
| | » | June 3, 10, 24 | All-inclusive fare £48* per person
| | » | July 1, 15 | All-inclusive fare £48* per person
| | » | August 12, 26 | All-inclusive fare £48* per person
| | » | September 9, 16, 23, 30 | All-inclusive fare £48* per person
| | » | October 14, 21, 28 | All-inclusive fare £45 per person
| | » | November 4 | All-inclusive fare £45 per person
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| * | Reduced to £45 per person for bookings made by 1 May 2012.
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For bookings for Sunday Luncheon trains call us on 01823 433856.
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 A special celebration
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A three-course dinner with coffee is served on the outward journey to Minehead and there is time to take in the sea air before rejoining the train for the return journey to Bishops Lydeard during which a cheese platter and coffee will be served, along with drinks from the bar.
In 2012, Saturday Evening Dinner trains will be operating on:
| » | May 26
| | » | July 28
| | » | August 18
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The all-inclusive fare for Saturday Dinner trains is £48.00 per person.
For bookings for Saturday Dinner trains call us on 01823 433856.
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 First class service
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Our luncheon menus feature roast meat or poultry as the main course, with a choice of appetisers and desserts...
A typical menu will feature...
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| | Three choices of appetiser
| | Usually hot soup, a plated starter dish or orange juice.
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| | Roast meat of the day
| | with roast potatoes and vegetables
| | We serve only one roast meat (pork, beef, lamb or turkey) on each train; please enquire when you book if you have a particular preference and can be flexible about dates.
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| | Three choices of dessert
| | Normally a hot pudding (with custard or cream), a chilled dessert (cheesecake, lemon meringue pie, profiteroles or similar) or fresh fruit salad.
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Vegetarian main course options are available if requested on booking, but we are unable to accommodate any other special dietary requirements.
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 The Quantock Belle sets off for an evening run to Minehead
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The mid-week lunch trains run on 18 June, 1 August, 15 August, 5 September and 19 September and will be hauled by a heritage diesel locomotive.
These midweek lunch trains will be hauled by heritage diesel locomotives. On the journey to Minehead we will be serving a table d'hote menu featuring a tasty soup of the day, followed by hot meat pie with potatopes and vegetables, and finishing with dessert and coffee.
On the return journey if ordered in advance, a cream tea will be served.
The fare for lunch and first class travel on the Wednesday Lunch Quantock Belle train is £26.00 per person. Optional cream tea on return journey is £4 - please order cream teas when booking your seats.
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 Heritage diesel locomotive
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Celebrate the festive season on the Quantock Belle by joining us on one of our special dining trains.
Dunster by Candlelight – Friday evening 7 December
See the beautiful village of Dunster illuminated entirely by candles. Our dining train will take you to Minehead, then you will travel to Dunster by private bus for your candlelit visit. A three course dinner with coffee will be served on the outward journey with seasonal fare on the return. The all-inclusive fare for the Dunster by Candlelight Quantock Belle train is £49.00 per person.
Christmas Sunday Luncheon – 9, 16, 23 December
A traditional three course Christmas luncheon with coffee and all the trimmings, will be served on the outward journey, with seasonal fare on the return. The all-inclusive fare for the Christmas Sunday Luncheon Quantock Belle train is £49.00 per person.
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 Celebrating Christmas
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If you don't wish to dine with us you can still travel to Minehead and back in our comfortable bar car, where you are welcome to enjoy your own picnic if you wish. Picnic seats are available at the standard fare of £14.50 (£7.25 for child from 5 to 15 years, under fives travel free). These seats are available on all scheduled Quantock Belle services inclduing Christmas trains.
We recommend you book and pay in advance but if we have seats available you can just turn up and pay on the train. For more information please call 01823 433856.
Important: Quantock Belle picnic seat tickets are not sold at WSR ticket offices. If you decide not to book in advance please buy your ticket on the train.
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 Steam through superb scenery
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Advance booking is essential for all trains, so here are some tips to make your booking process as quick and easy as possible:
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| | 1 | Decide the date on which you'd like to travel and , if you can, pick one or two alternatives in case your first choice is not available.
| | 2 | Call us on 01823 433856 and ask for Quantock Belle reservations. If you are connected to our voicemail system just leave a message and we will phone you back.
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If you wish to pay to credit or debit card when you call, your reservation can be confirmed immediately. However, if you prefer, we can make a provisional reservation to be held for seven days, during which time you should complete payment by either calling us back with your card details or sending us a cheque payable to "WSRA Promotions Ltd".
Bookings open Wednesday 11 January 2012
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- In order to maintain the desired atmosphere on board the Quantock Belle, we do ask you please to wear suitable apparel (ie no jeans, shorts or sportswear - thank you).
- The Quantock Belle is not considered suitable for Children under the age of ten. We appreciate your understanding.
- We cannot make any refunds in respect of unused tickets unless we are able to resell the seats prior to departure, in which case an administration charge of £10 per booking will apply. We also reserve the right to resell seats for which we have not received payment within seven days of a provisional telephone reservation.
- To comply with current legislation, smoking is not permitted anywhere on the train or at any WSR station
- When you receive your booking confirmation, please ensure the information shown is correct. We suggest you plan to arrive at Bishops Lydeard Station at least twenty minutes before the departure of your train.
- The Quantock Belle has limited access for narrow wheelchairs and our staff are happy to assist diners to their seats as necessary. Folding wheelchairs can be stored during the journey, but please mention your special requirements at the time of booking so that we know you will need assistance.
- In the unlikely event that no suitable steam locomotive is available a diesel locomotive will be used instead.
- Quantock Belle passengers are carried subject to the Conditions of Carriage of the West Somerset Railway Plc and whilst every effort will be made to maintain advertised services no liability for loss, inconvenience or delay caused by cancellation or alteration can be accepted.
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 Dedicated service
 Wonderfully restored rolling stock
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The Quantock Belle departs from Bishops Lydeard Station which is located just off the A358 Taunton to Minehead road, approximately four miles north-west of Taunton. To find us follow the brown WSR signs, and in the vicinity of Bishops Lydeard look out for signs to Broadgauge Business Park and the WSR. There is a large, free car park at the Station.
Navigation information for the Car Park at Bishops Lydeard Station:
The Railway Station Car Park, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3RU
OS map grid reference: ST1629
Geographic coordinates: 51:03:16N, 3:11:40W
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 Bishops Lydeard Station
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Quantock Belle Gift Vouchers are now available - please call us on 01823 433856 for details.
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If you would like to know more about working as a volunteer on the Quantock Belle, please contact Susan Kaufman on 01823 431311 or email manager@wsra.org.uk
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The Quantock Belle is also available for private charter. Call Susan Kaufman on 01823 431311 to discuss ideas for group outings or special celebrations.
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