Ring In the New Year in 1920s Style Onboard the British Pullman Train

1920's era dancers walk past the Audrey carriage of the British Pullman train in Victoria Station, London — 1920s or 2020s?

Regular readers of this travel blog will know I am huge fan of the Orient Express, and its British counterpart, the British Pullman train. Having had such a wonderful experience on the British Pullman back in summer 2023 I got the bug to travel again on this remarkable train; this time for New Year's Eve 2024.

The itinerary for New Year's Eve is vastly different to the others I have travelled on this train. The destination is the same as the departure (London Victoria); the journey starts and ends in darkness; so the experience here is solely the train itself. However, what sets this wonderful journey apart from the other itineraries is that Belmond captures the ambience of the 1920's so well.

Journey for New Year's Eve on the British Pullman train - London Victoria to London Victoria via Canterbury

Firstly the dress code: black tie. We discussed this in my carriage, (Lucille), at the start of the journey. Unlike "smart casual" which means different things from different viewpoints, there is no dispute as to what constitues this dress code. Everyone was dressed for the occasion. It may seem like a small thing, but it contributed enormously to the overall atmosphere onboard the train.

Table in the Lucille carriage of the British Pullman train, dressed and set for New Year's Eve dinner, showcasing the exquisite marquetry from the 1920s. — Table set for New Year's Eve dinner in the Lucille Carriage

Secondly, from the start Belmond had put on some amazing entertainment which captured the spirit of the 1920s. Jazz music and 1920s dancers greeted arrivals on platform 2 at Belmond's departure lounge in London Victoria Station; where travellers were greeted with a glass of champagne. Unlike my previous two journeys on this train, it really felt like the 1920s, rather than the modern world boarding a vintage train.

The emphasis also here was the dinner itself, a wonderfully leisurely 5 course dinner served out across the five and a half hour journey. The emphasis is on quality not quantity: so do not be surprised if the head chef is Michelin starred, or involved , as was the case this evening, on Celebrity Masterchef. The food is sustainably produced with an emphasis on local produce:

If there is anything on the menu you don't enjoy or if you have a food allergy - the chef is amazingly accommodating. In my case I don't care for truffle; so the cheeseboard was served with a wonderfully curried pickle which complimented the cheeses perfectly:

Cheeses served with crackers, port and fruit bread onboard the British Pullman train for New Year's Eve Dinner — Crackers, fruit bread, cheese & port , served with a bespoke curried pickle

The train over the years has had some remarkable travellers onboard, and I don't just mean the famous ones like Agatha Christie! I remember my first journey on the British Pullman in the Phoenix carriage back in 2006 - the favourite carriage of the late Queen Mother. Sat opposite us was the butler of the Queen Mother. On my last trip I discovered someone who had spent time living and working in Australia . The stewards for this evening came from Ireland and Italy - the former on his first night working on the train; the later had been working on the train for seven years. Both were attentive and helpful.

I was really impressed with the quality and presentation of the dinner and the chef even introduced himself later in the evening. He oversaw the episode of BBC's Celebrity Masterchef set on this train earlier this year

Apple Baba with edible flowers served as the dessert course onboard the British Pullman train for New Year's Eve Dinner. — Apple Baba - dessert course on the British Pullman

After dinner, the 1920's style entertainment kicked in. A jazz musician who took requests for Louis Armstrong's music (and had even used one of his instruments whilst working with a band in New York); a singer singing songs of the era and various dancers accompanied by music from the era and then a magician. It really felt like being transported back into the 1920s - well done Belmond!

Jazz musician playing Louis Armstrong's songs in the Lucille carriage onboard the British Pullman train for New Year's Eve dinner — Jazz Musician taking requests from Louis Armstrong's songs

1920's dancing to celebrate New Year's Eve onboard the British Pullman train — What better way to evoke the 1920s than to provide the entertainment in vogue from the Roaring Twenties?

I've had a lot of questions fielded from friends and family re this trip, so I thought I'd answer the most popular ones to a wider audience:

Q. Isn't the Orient Express (British Pullman) an old person's activity?

I don't know where this ageist attitude comes from towards this train, but this question has come up quite a lot. Whilst it's true I've never seen anyone under the age of 20 on the train, it certainly doesn't deserve this reputation. Yes there are some over 65s on this train but the predominate age group onboard seems to be middle aged, particularly 30s through 50s in my experience. People on birthday treats, wedding anniversaries, travel enthusiasts, train enthusiasts, foodies, artists looking for inspiration. There is such a wonderful mix of people on this train that it's hard to pinpoint a 'type' or an 'age'. Perhaps this misconception comes from the Agatha Christie stories where many of the characters are elderly onboard?

Art Deco lamp on a table in the Lucille carriage onboard the British Pullman train — Art Deco detailing on table lamp in the Lucille carriage on the British Pullman train

Q. Isn't it an expensive activity?

The day trips onboard the British Pullman train represent excellent value for money when you consider what is included. For this New Year's Eve dinner excursion as an example, you had effectively a bottle of champagne, several wines, a Michelin Star quality 5-course dinner; entertainment and the journey on the train itself. You would be hard pressed to get all these activites for the value of the ticket paid. Take a look at Belmond's excursions onboard this train here

Cutlery, wines and water being served for New Year's Eve dinner onboard the British Pullman train — Wines, & water served on the British Pullman train

Q. I couldn't cope with all the food served ! How did you manage?

The emphasis on dining on the British Pullman is on quality, not quantity. The courses are not over-sized and are served French-style with a large gap between each course. My own appetite has shrunk considerably in the last few years and yet I didn't have an issue consuming this 5-course meal at all:

Dry-aged fillet of beef with Duchess potatoes and greens for New Year's Eve dinner onboard the British Pullman train — Dry aged fillet of beef - the main course of the evening

Just when you thought the evening couldn't get any more magical, as champagne was served for a toast to the New Year, the train stopped on a railway bridge just before the stroke of midnight in London. Whilst it had the advantage of being a railway bridge and therefore no crowds to obscure the view, the large skyscrapers on the London skyline between London Victoria and the London Eye did obsure much of the fireworks display. However seeing some of these over the Thames rounded off the evening perfectly!