Activities & Days Out / 15 January, 2019 / Charlotte Pearl

All Aboard The Belmond Steam Train for A Practically Perfect Afternoon

One crisp, cold pre-Christmas morning, Henrietta Jane (my youngest daughter, 4 years old) and I found ourselves watching, in festive wonder, a choir singing away outside the dedicated British Pullman waiting room on platform 2 at Victoria Station. Both of us were dressed smartly for a Mary Poppins Returns themed afternoon tea aboard the Belmond British Pullman London.

Straight out of a classic novel

It felt as if we had stepped back in time to the roaring 20’s and 30’s as we watched the glamorous chocolate and cream vintage train draw in. A very special mother and child treat was starting to unfold and every detail of the day was spectacular. The smartly suited, smiling train steward helped us into an exquisite carriage, straight out of a classic Agatha Christie story. Both of us gazed around our beautiful surroundings in appreciation. Memories of waving my grandparents off aboard the train to celebrate their wedding anniversary wafted back to me, my grandmother’s ostrich feathered festooned hat nodding as she blew us all kisses.

Delicious afternoon tea with entertainment

The train pulled out of Victoria Station with the gravitas of the distinguished, elegant grande dame that she is and our journey out of London and through the British countryside began. Afternoon tea was a mouth watering selection of “Mr Dawe’s sandwiches, Ellen’s warm goat’s cheese tartlets and a ‘Practically Perfect’ selection of sumptuous cakes and pastries”, all presented in the most delightful way!

Henrietta can be very shy in new surroundings  and it was a little while into the journey before she decided that she wanted to go and look at the face painting station or allow herself to glance at the amazing singers that delighted with pop-up performances up and down the carriages. However, once she did, she whispered to me when no one else was listening that it was the most magical day and indeed it was very special for both of us. Henrietta was entertained by Mary Poppins Returns’ activity packs, a talented balloon artist who conjured up a brilliant penguin from the film, as well tricks by a fantastic magician as the view from our window drifted from buildings and roads to fields and woods then back to reality and the bustle of Victoria Station again.

How to book

Belmond British Pullman offers a host of journeys throughout the year from London Victoria Station, visiting some of Britain’s most famous cities, country houses, sporting and social events. Prices for the Mary Poppins Returns Afternoon Tea on 16th February 2019 start from £285 per person for adults and £142.50 for children under 12. For more information and reservations visit belmond.com or call 0845 077 2222.