Lady’s Vintage British Pullman Train Trip to Chatsworth House

Today I want to bring you my review of a British Pullman train trip from London to Chatsworth House. With vintage carriages, Art Deco splendor, and decadent meals, this once-in-a-lifetime experience is worth indulging in. I’ve been invited on the journey as a guest of British Pullman, A Belmond Train. I’m on board now and I can’t wait to share the adventure with you in this sponsored post.

British Pullman Train Trip to Chatsworth House

Taking a luxurious train trip to one of the most famous stately homes in the United Kingdom is an unforgettable day trip from London by train. It offers passengers a full day of elegance, fine dining, and exploration.

Departing from Victoria station, the vintage carriages transport guests north through the English countryside to enjoy a day of sparkling wine, multi-course meals, and the anticipation of touring a house and grounds that have been passed down through 16 generations of the Cavendish family.

Once in Derbyshire, passengers get to spend an afternoon visiting Chatsworth House. From its stunning interiors to its expansive gardens, it’s a treat to discover.

Arrival & Welcome

I arrive at Victoria station on a Wednesday morning at 8:15. I meet a friend, and we walk over to the check-in area by Platform 2.

There’s a lively atmosphere, complete with a singer welcoming guests to the train. As she serenades us, we enter a waiting room where a server offers us a welcome drink.

Back on the platform, a staff member directs us to our part of the train. We walk down to it, and we’re welcomed aboard by a uniformed attendant. She points out our seats in a refurbished Art Deco carriage called Zena.

We’re seated in a special private compartment. As our server pours us a glass of sparkling wine, she gives us an orientation to the carriage, which was once a favorite of the Royal Family.

Like the others on the train, Zena has been meticulously restored and upholstered. It’s rich in printed fabrics, carpet, and curtains. The marquetry has been done by the same family that did Buckingham Palace and the Titanic, too.

As we settle in with our drinks, we let ourselves be whisked back in time to the Golden Age of travel. It feels delightful.

Journey to Derbyshire

At 8:40 the train leaves Victoria. We make a loop through areas like Clapham and Barnes before heading north towards Chesterfield station and the Peak District.

We’re still taking in the views of the UK capital when our server arrives with a Bellini for each of us. It’s a great way to kick off the three-course brunch we’re about to enjoy.

As the train trundles out of the city and into the English countryside, we’re each treated to a duo of pastries. They go down a treat with cups of fresh coffee.

Just as the scenery starts to get really good, our next course materializes. It’s a Battersea Brunch Bowl, and it comes complete with whipped yogurt, homemade granola, fresh berries, and tangerine syrup.

We enjoy it as we gaze out the window onto rolling hills and green pastures. It’s hard to beat this journey when it comes to scenic train rides from London.

Our third course is smoked Hampshire chalk stream trout served on a toasted English muffin and topped with a poached egg and Hollandaise sauce. It goes down a treat as the train travels north through Northamptonshire.

As we pass Leicester, our server offers us coupes of English sparkling wine from Chapel Down in Kent. We sip it as we soak up the scenery en route to Nottinghamshire.

Chatsworth House

At 1:15pm we alight at Chesterfield station in Derbyshire. We leave the train and make our way outside to private coaches that are waiting patiently for us.

Once on board, they transport us through the beautiful countryside to Chatsworth House. Around 30 minutes later, we arrive at the stately home ready to explore.

For just over two hours, we have free reign to discover the house and grounds. We start by touring the interior, a Grade I listed mansion that’s home to one of Europe’s most significant art collections.

We’re awed by everything from the stunning Painted Hall to the State Dining Room and the Sculpture Gallery.

At the end, we find ourselves in the gift shop. It’s full of souvenirs and memorabilia that delight fans of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Chatsworth House often stands in for Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley in film and TV adaptations of the novel.

Once outside, we spend an hour exploring the gardens and grounds. From the unusual Victorian Rock Garden to the landscapes shaped by famed architect Lancelot “Capability” Brown, there’s a lot to see.

We make a loop to take in the Cascade, Emperor Fountain, maze, and other highlights. At the end, we pick up a snack from the cafe by the gift shop before boarding our coach at 4:15pm.

Journey to London

Back on the train, we depart for London at 5:10pm. Shortly after the journey south begins, we’re treated to a glass of fizz as our five-course dinner service commences.

We start with a dish of warm Wye Valley asparagus. It’s served with creamy ricotta and a caper and sultana dressing. It goes down a treat with a glass of white wine in cut crystal.

As we roll through Nottinghamshire, we enjoy a carrot and ginger soup with creme fraiche and carrot oil. It’s a great compliment to the countryside scenery around us.

The next course is fish for me and lamb for my friend. Both are delicious and filling, and our servers are generous with the wine.

When we reach Bedford, we tuck into North Lakes panna cotta with Yorkshire rhubarb and toasted seeds. It’s followed by a Great British cheese board and petit fours, which we enjoy as we approach London.

British Pullman Train to Chatsworth

As the train arrives at Victoria station at 9:35pm, we marvel at what a great day we’ve had. Our experience on board the British Pullman train to Chatsworth was one-of-a-kind, from the beautiful vintage carriage to the tour of the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the dining, and the attentive service.

The views of the countryside were straight out of of English dreams, and seeing the stately home in the Peak District was a real treat. In fact, the whole journey was a treat. As we alight from our carriage and make our way home, we start dreaming of our next railway adventure.

I hope my blog post has inspired you to do the same. If you want more inspiration, you can read my reviews of a mystery train trip and a Christmas train trip on the British Pullman.

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