With the Festive season approaching, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has announced that it will once again be running its popular Christmas Moorlander and Great Western Saloon lunches.

These trains will provide unforgettable festive dining experiences while travelling for 18 miles through the North York Moors National Park from Grosmont to Pickering in heritage carriages decked out with Christmas decorations.

Guests are offered a warming glass of mulled wine to start their journey, before selecting from a choice of three delicious starters including a winter warming soup, classic prawn cocktail, or baked mushroom stuffed with Harrogate blue cheese and walnuts.

The main course is traditional roast turkey, roast topside of local beef, or the chef’s homemade vegetable Wellington, all accompanied by mouth-watering festive trimmings.

For dessert, guests can choose from Christmas Pudding and brandy sauce, chocolate & Cointreau tart, or a selection of savoury cheeses and biscuits.

On the return journey from Pickering, guests will be served a cup of freshly brewed Yorkshire tea or coffee and a festive mince pie.
For small groups looking for a private dining experience like no other, festive packages are available that offer four-person private coupes within your own compartment.

Guests can also privately charter the opulent Great Western Saloon carriage, with three bespoke packages available that caters for up to 18 people with a dedicated member of staff to look after them and assist with the catering.

The seasonal lunch services depart from Grosmont at 1 pm and return from Pickering at 3.35 pm, and run on Tuesdays to Fridays from Tuesday, 28 November until Friday, 22, December, then Thursday, 28 to Saturday, 30 December and Thursday, 4 to Sunday, 7 January 2024.

Prices for the Christmas Moorlander Lunches start at £85 while for groups who wish to hire the Great Western Saloon for 18 people there is a Simply Drinks package at £950, a Drinks, Cakes & Cheese package for £1200, and The NYMR’s Christmas Buffet Lunch at £1450.

The Christmas Buffet Lunch menu comes with a cold meat platter, smoked salmon platter, traditional pork pie, and cheese and broccoli quiche, all accompanied by fresh artisan breads and a mixed leaf salad.

Desserts include a zesty lemon tart, moist fruit cake slice topped with marzipan, and festive mince pies, as well as a savoury selection of Yorkshire cheeses served with crackers, celery, apple, grapes, and Yorkshire chutney, and of course, freshly brewed Yorkshire tea or coffee is included.

Further information and booking details can be found at www.nymr.co.uk/christmas-moorlander

David Milbourn, Chef at NYMR, said: “There’s simply nothing quite like Christmas at the NYMR and these festive dining experiences are always hugely popular with both Yorkshire locals but also visitors travelling from far and wide for the ultimate wintry heritage railway experience.”