To celebrate the official birthday of King Charles III, the Watercress Line in Hampshire is running a special train, the Watercress Belle, where guests can dine like Royalty with a special evening of fine dining.

Next Saturday, the 15th of June, the Watercress Line will be hosting a right Royal experience aboard a fine dining train decorated with patriotic bunting.

To match the occasion, diners can, if they wish, dress in red, white and blue while taking their seats in First Class dining carriages on The Watercress Belle.

The train will depart from Alresford station at 7.15 pm, and return there at 10.30 pm.

As guests travel through the Hampshire countryside, the staff will serve them a delicious four-course dinner using seasonal ingredients inspired by specialities from the four corners of the British Isles.

A special celebration menu created by Lemon Stone Events will include:

• Amuses-bouche before dinner;
• From Wales – leek & Caerphilly quiche;
• From southwest England – pan-seared Cornish scallops;
• From East Anglia – Suffolk herb-crusted pork;
• From Cambridgeshire – Eve’s Pudding made from Cox’s Pippin apples;
• From Scotland – Scottish tablets;
• Coffee or tea and Petits-fours.

A curated selection of quality wines will be available for guests to enjoy with their meal; if anyone requires vegetarian options, they are available so long as they are pre-ordered.

Guests will enjoy a return trip from Alresford to Alton, passing through The Watercress Line’s charming, heritage stations along the way. Guests will not be able to board the train at Alton station.

Next weekend, Saturday, 15th and Sunday, 16th June, the Watercress Line will be dedicated to the 1950s and 1960s with an ‘All Change ‘ weekend event featuring vehicles from the era accompanied by classic songs to recreate the atmosphere of the mid-20th century.

From Friday 12th to Sunday 14th July, the Watercress Line will be holding its Diesel Gala with a selection of heritage diesel locomotives from both visiting diesel locomotives and those of the railway’s home-fleet hauling trains

We are delighted to be creating this unique fine dining evening in celebration of King Charles III’s official birthday.

It promises to be a glorious experience the chance for our guests to create wonderful memories on board our opulent steam train, The Watercress Belle. The contemporary fine dining menu will be one to be savoured during this very special steam train ride .

There are just a few tickets left, so please book online to take part in this Royal celebration fit for a King!

Rebecca Dalley, CEO of The Watercress Line