A “posh” train is trawling the UK this Christmas, and Britons are “desperate” to hop on board – but there’s a snag. A plethora of luxury rail journeys are on offer across the UK, typically taking place on vintage carriages that have been refurbished and styled with decadence in mind.

These ritzy trains provide ticket holders with the opportunity to soak up the natural splendour of some of the UK’s most renowned and picturesque towns and cities while basking in the comfort and elegance of an intricately detailed, cosy, and lavish train carriage. The Northern Belle is one such luxury train that’s causing quite a stir. It provides passengers with a taste of 1930s-style rail travel, featuring sympathetically restored carriages adorned with ornate details, and offers people the chance to book scenic trips or stop off at destinations for exploration. The company serves up gourmet meals accompanied by fine wine, while musicians serenade diners to fully immerse them in the experience.

Recently, news of upcoming trips available this festive season was shared on Instagram. Posting a carousel of images of the plush train, Secret Manchester wrote: “This opulent train promises guests an unforgettable festive journey, complete with fine dining, live entertainment, and interiors inspired by the iconic Orient Express.”

But there’s a catch – it comes with a hefty price tag. Tickets cost hundreds of pounds per person, depending on the journey chosen.

Securing a Christmas Lunch reservation aboard the Northern Belle luxury train offers various ticket packages, with the most affordable option starting at £395. It encompasses a return journey featuring a Champagne reception plus a “signature cocktail and small-bite pairing and caviar blinis”.

Passengers will then savour a seven-course festive feast comprising “a British seasonal table d’hôte menu featuring an award-winning Great British cheeseboard with port, a delicious dessert, and a selection of petits fours”.

Additionally, there’s a bottle of wine per couple, Fortnum and Mason tea and Northern Belle blend coffee, plus entertainment in the form of “a table magician and strolling musicians”.

An extensive selection of destinations span the length and breadth of the UK, with a circular route encompassing Manchester, Huddersfield, and Leeds available on numerous dates throughout November and December. Alterantively, passengers can reserve a journey departing from Chester, travelling through Liverpool, Wigan, and Preston, or a London-centric trip.

The Northern Belle also operates services in Hull, Norwich, Coventry, Grantham, and numerous other towns and cities across the nation. There’s also the possibility to enjoy Christmas shopping expeditions in cities such as Edinburgh and York.

Instagram users expressed their opinions in the comments beneath Secret Manchester’s post. One joked: “Is this the last train home from Blackpool on a Saturday? That’s proper posh.”

Another branded it “dope” while someone else said: “I’m so desperate to do this! I bet it’s worth every penny, especially at Christmas when the views will be so wintery and beautiful”.

Others simply tagged their friends to direct them to the post.