Once again this year, the Wensleydale Railway will be running its popular afternoon tea train services, but with improved menus, and on more dates.

The railway is now working with a new catering partner, The Green Apple Tree in Northallerton, to develop new menus and enhance the range of food on offer.

This year’s service begins with a Valentine’s Day lunchtime train on Sunday, 18 February, which will feature a delicious new ‘mezze’ sharing platter, and will be followed by: Afternoon Tea trains on Mother’s Day, 10 March; Easter Sunday, 31 March; Father’s Day, 16 June; Summer on 18 August and 22 September, and Autumn on 20 October.

After boarding the train and taking their seat, guests will be served a refreshing glass of fizz or orange juice.

As the train departs from Leeming Bar for Leyburn, the railway’s volunteer staff will serve a choice of tea or coffee and a selection of freshly cut sandwiches and savoury pastries.

During the journey, guests can sit back in the comfort of their seat and enjoy the food and drink and spectacular views of Wensleydale.

At Leyburn there will be a short rest break before re-boarding the train to Leeming Bar and being served a selection of delicious scones and cakes with more tea or coffee. As a final gesture, the afternoon finishes with a luxury chocolate as guests say goodbye – until the next time.

The Afternoon Tea trains depart from Leeming Bar at 14:30 and the journey lasts around two hours.
Booking is essential for these services to avoid disappointment, and guests with food allergies should let the railway know at the time of booking.

The cost is £45 for adults and £25 for children aged 14 and under, which includes the rail ticket and a complimentary glass of fizz or a soft drink.

For more information, please visit their website https://wensleydale-railway.co.uk/

These Afternoon Tea services are ideal for marking a special occasion, as a gift to a loved one, or a treat for oneself, but unfortunately, the vintage coaches used on these trains do not currently have access for wheelchair users.

If anyone has mobility problems, if they let staff know when they book, the railway will do its best to allocate them a table close to the access door.

The Wensleydale Railway is a volunteer-led heritage railway that serves the local community, and offers tourists, families, and transport enthusiasts a great value day out in the Yorkshire Dales.

At 22 miles long it is one of the country’s longest heritage lines and currently operates services with heritage diesel trains between Scruton near Northallerton and Leyburn on the edge of the spectacular Yorkshire Dales National Park, and working to extend services to Redmire.

At award-winning, restored historic stations, guests can enjoy free guided tours with costumed living history interpreters while finding out about 1900s railway life.