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Great Central Railway steam engine in Swithland

AFTERNOON TEA ON THE GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY, LEICESTERSHIRE

2nd November 2021

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Step back in time as you board a classic steam train and journey through the Leicestershire countryside in style on the Great Central Railway. A truly magical experience that transports you to the bygone era of steam engines where over forty years of work and dedication by a team of former rail workers and volunteers have kept the main line steam alive. Read on to find out what it’s like to experience afternoon tea on the Great Central Railway, Leicestershire. This includes the stations, afternoon tea food and drink, service and the route.

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Loughborough central station
Great Central Railway Loughborough Station

Restored stations, signals, carriages, wagons and steam and diesel locomotives, welcome to the UK’s only double track, main line heritage railway and the only place in the world where you’ll see full-size steam engines pass each other on the double track. Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Great Central railway in Leicestershire where afternoon tea service will commence shortly.

In This Article

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  • Pin & Save
  • History of the Great Central Railway
  • Afternoon Tea Aboard The Elizabeth Ann
  • A Memorable Experience
  • The Details
  • Related Articles
  • Travel Resources To Plan Your Trip
  • À bientôt
  • Pin & Save
Platform No 2 Loughborough Central
The Great Central Railway, waiting room

History of the Great Central Railway

Back in 1841, Thomas Cook, hailed a pioneer of popular tourism, arranged his first day trip by chartering a steam train and taking 500 travel naïve passengers from Leicester to Loughborough charging them only  a shilling.

This and other excursions Thomas arranged, proved to be hugely popular, which in turn led to him establishing his own travel company, which gave Leicester the accolade of being the ‘birthplace of popular tourism.’ His company is known globally to have changed the world landscape of tourism.

Great Central Railway steam engine in Swithland

Fast forward to present day and visitors to the Great Central railway can still ride that same landmark route, through the Leicestershire countryside by boarding a restored steam engine from Leicester North station in Birstall to Loughborough Central.

At its peak, the Great Central railway linked cities in the North of England to the Midlands and London. Today the journey the diesel and steam trains take is truly one that captures the UK’s heritage, taking passengers between four charmingly restored stations, signal boxes, water towers, and viaducts as it makes its way through the county, The stations lining the route are Loughborough Central, Quorn & Woodhouse, Rothley and Leicester North. All stops are equipped with conveniences such as ladies and gentlemen’s rooms, a tea room for refreshments with some even having a bar. The platforms are lined with old-world luggage stands and signs in keeping with the heyday of the line.

Station MAsters Office at Loughborough Central

In more recent years, the restored stations along the line have been used as a backdrop for filming locations in the popular Netflix series, The Crown, the TV production of Victoria and also The Hours starring Nicole Kidman. The stations have made so many more feature films and TV appearances than you can imagine.

Old Steam engine at Great Central Railway

As well as riding the Great Central Railway route, there are first class carriages, which provide restaurant services including three to five course meals, themed nights such as Murder Mystery evenings, Fish & Chip dinners, Italian and Indian nights and Santa season trains to mention a few of the special trains that are offered on certain times of the year.

Station Master at Loughborough Central

The English are know for their love for the constitution of afternoon tea so what better way to uphold the tradition than to experience a quintessential afternoon tea aboard the first class carriages.

Related Post: The Great British Constitution of Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea Aboard The Elizabeth Ann

Entering the First Class Carriage

Step off the platform and into the restored carriage, which will have you feeling like you’re part of a period drama, with comfortable upholstered seats, traditional crockery dressing the table perfectly under a crisp white table cloth and enjoy the service on board whilst the train takes you from Loughborough, through to Swithland & Woodhouse, onto Rothley and to Leicester North. After a short stop at Leicester North head back along the same route ending your journey back in Loughborough.

Train Interiors
Train Interiors

Be sure to watch for the wildlife as you stop on the bridge at Swithland reservoir and local countryside as you sip on your choice of a selection of teas, from Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Peppermint, Superfruity as well as a decaffeinated options. Oh and there’s coffee too! Tea and coffee refills are a plenty to wash down the afternoon treats,

Afternoon Tea on Steam Engine

A cute china cake stand is delivered to seat with a great selection of sandwiches and cakes, vegetarians are well catered for so be sure to mention upon booking.

tea pouring on steam train

The savoury spread includes a sandwich selection of roast beef and horseradish sauce, Red Leicester cheese and autumn fruit chutney, egg mayonnaise with watercress and a miniature savoury tart.

Great Central Railway Afternoon Tea

The sweet tier includes miniature Brioche Pasquier macarons, sultana, and cherry fruit cake, danish pastries and chocolate eclairs.

Sweet treats on cake stand
Swithland Reservoir

Be sure to leave a little room as the scones with strawberry preserve and clotted cream are served upon leaving Leicester North Station on the route back.

Scones with jam and clotted cream

The afternoon tea steam engine round trip lasts around an hour and a half and is available on selected dates on weekdays leaving Loughborough Central at 15:00 and 14:45 on weekends.

A Memorable Experience

The first-class carriage makes a wonderful gift option for family or friends as well as a great day out in between exploring the villages and towns surrounding the stations. The ticket for afternoon tea allows you all day access to the trains on the line so you can really discover and enjoy the train route as much as you wish on the day.

Additionally, you can fulfil your childhood dream and drive a locomotive with one of the special packages on offer by the Great Central Railway.

Old Steam engine at Great Central Railway

If you fancy staying the night why not book a hotel in either Leicester, Loughborough. Rothley or Swithland and even take a look at things you can do in the Leicestershire area. Scope out some great guided tours and restaurants for your stay.

Platform No 2 Loughborough Central

Afternoon Tea aboard the Elizabeth-Ann is a memorable time and a great way to see the surrounding area of Leicestershire, supporting the local economy and making the work of the volunteers and those who preserve the railway line truly worthwhile. So why not take a step back in history and relive the route Thomas Cook led the oath to what we know as tourism today.

Loughborough Central Station

The Details

  • Address I Great Central Railway. Great Central Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire. LE11 1RW I Website
  • Find it Here I Map Location
  • Tel I +44 (0) 1509 632323
  • Office Opening Hours I Mon-Sun 09:00-17:00
  • Afternoon Tea price I £42 per person (inclusive of the ‘Day Runabout ticket’ permitting a full day ticket to travel the line.

Related Articles

  • The Great British Constitution of Afternoon Tea
  • The Ultimate Weekend Guide to Leicester By A Local
  • The Most Romantic Benches in Leicester
  • Beautiful Hotels in Leicestershire

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À bientôt

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10 Comments
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Bejal

I’m Bejal aka Be, an ex-scientist turned travel writer and digital content creator. I have travelled to 6 continents, visited 70 plus countries, including an around the world trip, making me quite the expert in crafting intricate itineraries. I love to discover some of the world's more remote destinations and stay in some incredible hidden location eco-hotels. My aim is to transport you, my audience, to inspirational and cultural global spots that are less visited and allow you to see the 'real' and authentic side of destinations through detailed guides with a sprinkling of luxury. The spotlight is on eco-friendly responsible experiential travel with lifelong memories.

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  • Rubina
    5th November 2021

    This is just my thing would love to take a ride on this railway whilst enjoying a quintessential afternoon tea …amazing views and so peaceful! the scones look amazing! Love your photos of this wonderful experience!

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Rubina
      5th November 2021

      Aww you would adore this in that case. It’s such a beautiful experience and love that it’s preserving teh heritage of the Railway too. the was delicious. I really hope you can go one day and thanks so much for reading.

      Reply
  • Louise Victoria Riis
    5th November 2021

    This is so romantic! I love it! We went on Flying Scotsman for Pulman dining. Really wonderful! One in a lifetime experience x

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Louise Victoria Riis
      7th November 2021

      It really is such a beautiful experience Louise. Oh yes I remember that- it looked beautiful. There really is something special about train journeys! x

      Reply
  • Scott
    8th November 2021

    Such a lovely blog! I’ve wanted to have a train afternoon tea for years and this one looks fabulous

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Scott
      8th November 2021

      Aww you must! You’d love the experience and it really feels so old world cool and full of heritage!

      Reply
  • thetravelsofmrsb
    20th November 2021

    What fun! I love afternoon tea, definitely need to try this!

    Reply
    • Bejal
      thetravelsofmrsb
      20th November 2021

      Oh yes this is a pretty special one -you really will love this and I think dogs are allowed too.

      Reply
  • Valerie
    21st March 2022

    Definitely going to book this. It looks amazing something I’ve always wanted to do.

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Valerie
      22nd March 2022

      Oh how wonderful. Valerie you will love this, it’s such a special thins and supports the local Grand Central Railway and the volunteers who really don’t want this service to be forgotten. I hope you have the best time and do let me know how it goes.

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Bejal aka Be
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Hello, I'm Be, an ex-scientist turned travel writer and digital content creator having travelled to 70 plus countries, all over the globe. My aim is to transport you to less visited inspirational and cultural global spots showing off the 'real' authentic side of destinations through detailed guides with a sprinkling of luxury. The spotlight is on eco-friendly responsible travel with lots of coffee spots and veggie food thrown in!

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