Book Now: THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride 2024
Leekbrook + S160

Ascot Race Day Dining - £55.00 Per Person - Depart Froghall 13:30

Dust off your "Sunday Best's" as we're off to the Races! You will enjoy a three course meal aboard the Moorlander Dining Train with this unique experience.

Join us aboard our beautiful dining carriages en route to the Races! Enjoy a delicious three-course meal while you take in the glorious countryside of the Staffordshire Moorlands and picture yourself journeying to the Royal Ascot Races (Ipstones)!

During the 2020 lockdown we had a number of volunteers eager to get back to the railway and out of the house. When we started to return we agreed on a number of projects across the railway, one of them being the removal and renovation of the Kitchen Coach platewarmer. Upon removal of the warmer we found a 1981 Ascot Race Day Menu which is a fantastic piece of railway history. We have been inspired to recreate the journey from Manchester Picadilly to the Royal Ascot aboard our first-class dining train.

We’re offering a traditional three-course race day menu, dining in style with a complimentary glass of prosecco upon your arrival. We would love to see your best race day attire, so ride with us in your finery for what is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Attire: We encourage you to attend in your finery and ladies to wear Hats as the best hat shall receive a £15 gift voucher to use in the gift shop at Froghall. Whilst this is not compulsory, we do ask that all passengers are in smart casual attire with trainers, sandals, t-shirts and tracksuits not permitted. 

*** Our train will be travelling on the Churnet Valley Railway – the route described above is the route of the former Ascot Special Service ***

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Due to the nature of our heritage kitchen coach we are only able to accommodate gluten free and vegetarian options.

We are unable to offer vegan, dairy free, nut free products, halal meat or any other dietary requirements.


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All our dining trains depart from Froghall Station (ST10 2HA) where there is free parking for all our customers, we also have limited disabled parking bays.


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The journey should last around 2 hours, however please allow extra time to check in when you arrive. There may be a small delay upon your return if you need to pay by card for any extra drinks bought during your journey.


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We kindly ask that our customers refrain from walking around the dining coaches during meal service. It is not possible to alight from the dining train other than at Froghall Station.


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Unfortunately the heritage nature of our coaches does not allow for access on board with wheelchairs or walking frames. Please do discuss your specific needs with our office and we will always do our best to accommodate your needs in any way we can.


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If you have a booking for 2 people, we cannot guarantee that you will have a table exclusively for your use. Due to the nature of our coaches you may be sat with other people at a table of 4 . Only those with the correct exclusive voucher will be guaranteed a table of 2.

Vouchers can be bought from https://www.intotheblue.co.uk/excursions/churnet-valley-railway/


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Our bar is open for all our dining experiences. You're also welcome to pre-order your drinks to have them waiting for you at your table on arrival.

Drinks are priced individually and are not included in the ticket price.


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Our dining trains operate a variety of dress code requirements however; no tracksuits, walking shoes, trainers, flips flops, or baseball caps are allowed.

Breakfast Train
This is an informal dining experience

Lunch Trains
This is a smart casual dining experience

Murder Mystery
This is a formal dining experience.

We would like to remind all passengers that this can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some of our passengers and that some people may be celebrating special occasions.

We politely ask that all guests remain mindful of others during their visit.


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There are customer toilets on board the dining train.


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We welcome well-behaved children over the age of 12 on all our dining trains with the exception of Murder Mystery services which accept ages 16+


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Dogs are NOT permitted on the dining coach with the exception of Service Dogs.


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If you are in possession of a voucher then please call the booking office to book your table. If you would like to purchase one please go to https://www.intotheblue.co.uk/excursions/churnet-valley-railway/


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