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Premium Gift Pack
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Our Standard Gift Pack comes with a smart envelope that includes your personalised gift voucher and your activity voucher guide booklet.
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What's Included
- Three-course lunch with coffee and mints served aboard The 'Carolean'
- Enjoy a leisurely steam train journey through Charnwood's countryside
- Your meal is served during the journey aboard the first class restaurant cars
- There is generally a pause on Swithland viaduct with views across the reservoir to Charnwood Forest
- A 'runabout ticket' allowing unlimited rail travel for the day
- Opportunity to roam around the platform and museums
- Your table on the steam train luncheon departure is reserved for you
- Seating is generally on tables accommodating two or four people
- The train journey lasts approximately one and a half hours
What Can I Expect
Great Central Railway Saturday lunch - all aboard the Carolean for a superb Saturday steam train lunch in Loughborough! This year-round luncheon service is one of the most popular of all our experiences!
The beautifully restored carriages of the Carolean (named after the King Charles III era) immediately transport you back to the truly golden age of steam trains. As you roll gently out of Loughborough, sit back in your large, armchair-style comfy seat, watch the plumes of steam billowing from the train's locomotive and enjoy the unspoilt countryside.
Your three course Saturday luncheon meal will be served at your table by the courteous and smartly dressed service team. You have a choice of main dishes in a classic British cuisine style, with vegetarian options too. What you might not realise is that there is a kitchen car onboard, where all the food is prepared and plated - quite a feat!
Midway through your steam adventure, the train will glide to a halt on one of the loveliest spots in the Loughborough area - the viaduct that spans the Swithland Reservoir. Chances are you'll see wildfowl enjoying the tranquillity of the water and we think there is no better way to spend a Saturday lunch time than this!
Once you arrive at the end of the line in Leicester North, your plates will have been collected and you'll most likely fancy a little stroll. So here's where you can get off the train to have a look around the station. You can watch the steam loco ‘runaround' and then hop back onboard for your return journey and your coffee and mints.
Every diner booked on the Great Central Railway Saturday steam train lunch from Loughborough also has a first class 'runabout' ticket. This gives unlimited travel for the day of your experience, so you can make the most of it and see all the attractions on the eight miles of mainline track and three other stations.
When Is It Available
- Most Saturday lunchtimes from February through to November
- Departures are at 13:00, returning at approximately 14:45
- On booking, the operator may ask for you to make your menu choices in advance
- Due to popularity please book in advance to avoid disappointment
2024 dates are fully booked, 2025 dates will be released shortly
Location
- The trains depart from and returns to Great Central Station in Loughborough
- Head south, for around 4 miles where the train pauses to take in the beautiful views from the Swithland viaduct, near Rothley
- The train follows the same route North back to Great Central Station
- The Central station has good access from the M1 (J23) and A6
Suitable For
- Minimum age 5
- Under 18s must be accompanied by a participating adult
- There are disabled facilities available on site
- The dining car is not suitable for wheelchairs
Spectators
- Spectators wanting to see off the train will need to buy a platform ticket which allows access to the museums
Anything Else
- There are full facilities on board the trains and at the stations
- The operator can also assist and advise on local accommodation in the area
- Please note: There may be additional dates available outside of the listed dates, however runabout tickets will not be available due to pre-booked seasonal events
- Dining vouchers are not redeemable between 24 November 2023 and 2 January 2024
Menu
2024 MENU
__________
Starter
Chefs Seasonal Soup of the day and Bread roll GF
Choice of Main
Slow Braised Beef Shin with Port and Shallots GFA/DFA
Or
Chicken Supreme, Truffled Sausage Stuffing
Tarragon Jus GFA/DFA
Dessert
Lemon and Lime Pie
Tea, Coffee and Chocolate Truffles
Vegetarian and Vegan Menu
__________
Starter
Soup of the Day V/VE
Choice of Main
Cumin, Butternut Squash and Lentil Wellington VE
Or
Sweet Potato, Cashew and Apricot Chutney Tart VE
Or
Mushroom, Leek and Brie Gnocchi V
Choice of Dessert
Chocolate and Cherry Torte V/VE
Or
Fresh Fruit Salad V/VE
Tea, Coffee, Chocolate Mints V/VE
*Please note you may choose your options from the Main or Vegetarian/Vegan menu. Your menu choices, vegetarian options or special dietary requirements must be booked at least 7 days in advance. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that care is taken when dietary requirements are catered for on their services, they cannot guarantee that the ingredients are completely free from allergens. There is always a risk of cross contamination due to the nature of the kitchen.
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