Make Your Trip to London Even More Memorable

London is special but it can get hectic. When you are ready for that relaxing day in the countryside why not make it extra special and do it on the nostalgic Orient-Express. You will take a step back it time from the moment you see the historic train pull into Victoria station. Even the names of the cars evoke another age - Audrey, Cygnus, Ibis, Ione, Lucille, Minerva, Perseus, Phoenix, Vera and Zena. The train takes many one day trips to historic spots, gardens and stately homes around the UK. Each trip includes at least one elegant meal aboard and some include two.


Our trip to Winston Churchill's Chartwell House included a 3 course lunch on the way down. Before we dined we took a stroll through all of the elegant cars, each unique with a history of their own. Inlaid wood, mosaics, plush upholstery and rich color tones were evident throughout and made us feel as if we were visiting a posh parlour of the 1920's rather than taking a train ride. Our car was the Cygnus, a fitting car for this trip as it carried the coffin of Winston Churchill in his state funeral. As the train pulled out of the station we settled into our cushy wing chairs and prepared for the feast ahead. The meal started with champagne and moved slowly with the train through the 3 courses. It was relaxing, delicious and attentively served. A truly memorable lunch.

Upon arriving at Folkstone, we were met by a coach and taken to Chartwell. As we pulled up to the house we were somewhat surprised at the lack of opulence at first glance. However, as we moved through the house and caught the view out the back into the garden we were astounded by the sight before us. No wonder Winston Churchill did all he could to keep this place even when finances got tough. Rolling off the terrace was a beautiful lake, and a magnificent view of the garden of England (as the Kent countryside is known). The terraced hillside gardens reflect the importance to Churchill of the landscape and nature. All the ingredients of the perfect view are there, lakes, water gardens, rose gardens and romantic walkways.

The house is left as it was in Churchill's time, with books, maps, pictures and personal mementos reflecting the long career of a distinguished statesman with wide ranging interests. As an added bonus Churchill's artist studio in the garden can be visited where some of his paintings can be viewed. And before we left, we had time for a creamed tea in the restaurant overlooking the garden. But sadly, it was time to leave and our coach took us back to the fast pace of London. As on every trip we have taken on the Orient-Express, the tour guide accompanying us continued to give us interesting and informative bits of history as we passed through different parts of the city back to our return location. Alas, the day had ended but what we experienced, learned and saw would stay with us forever.

(This article refers to a trip taken in 2005, however these tours still operate regularly.)