Feel like royalty on your way to Epsom and Ascot

Top hat wearing punters will travel in nostalgic luxury style to two big horserace meetings aboard a special train from Manchester this summer – but with fares costing up to £565 each they’ll have to hope they’re on to a winner.

Champagne will flow as the plush Northern Belle, with its vintage locomotive and seven ornately-decorated carriages, ferries them to the Epsom Derby on Saturday, June 2, and then Ladies Day at Royal Ascot on Thursday June 21.

The organisers  describe the train as “recapturing a bygone era of rail travel at its most glamorous” and say passengers “can expect glamour, fun and a dash of adventure”.

Every one of the 297 seats aboard the Northern Belle was snapped up weeks ahead of a recent trip from London to Aintree for the Grand National early this month. 

And general manager Jeanette Snape said: “Places are already booking up fast for the two trains from Manchester. It’s odds-on they will all be gone soon.”

Passengers will board along a red carpet at Victoria Station before being served a Bellini cocktail and a three-course brunch on the journey south.

Then, after spending the afternoon at the races, followed by a champagne reception, they will tuck into a seven-course gourmet dinner on the trip back home.

Jeanette added: “Those who win at the races will be able to celebrate in style on the way home – while those who haven’t can drown their sorrows with fine champagne.

"So in a way, nobody loses.”

Punter Michael Davies, who travelled on the Aintree train, said: “I don't always win at the races but I know when I book on the Northern Belle that a fun and memorable day is a dead cert.  

“Every detail is taken care of, from a copy of Racing Post placed on my train seat in the morning to the fabulous meal on the return.”

Ex-jockey Carrie Ford joined passengers on the Aintree trip, sharing stories of her fifth place finish at the 2005 National and other jockeys, as well as musicians, will join the two Manchester trains.

Train manager Sandra Jones said: “The atmosphere for our sporting specials is always fantastic.

"The buzz of excitement begins as we roll out the red carpets.

"The laughter, chat and fun flows all day - just like the champagne.”

The Northern Belle will also take passengers from Manchester to the Chelsea Flower Show in London on May 24, Durham, Berwick, Alnwick Castle and Lindisfarne on June 9, July 7 and August 4,  Bath on June 30, and Edinburgh on August 24 and November 27. 

More details from northernbelle.co.uk or phone 0844 8404525.