A vintage steam train will depart Southend-on-Sea for Chester, the city ranked the 'prettiest in the world,' on November 19, 2026, offering a luxury day trip to the town's popular Christmas market. The Britannia 70000 class locomotive, built in 1951, will leave Southend Central at 6.35am, stopping at Leigh-on-Sea, Barking and Milton Keynes before heading north through the Midlands.
Chester's Festive Appeal
Chester, with its Tudor and Victorian heritage, is the destination of this golden-age excursion. Researchers at the Online Mortgage Advisor ranked the Cheshire city as the prettiest in the world, ahead of Venice and London. The city is known for its Eastgate clock and its Cathedral, which Visit Cheshire describes as an 'archaeological treasure.' Its architecture is said to follow the 'golden ratio.'
The Christmas market features 80 traders, a 90ft tree by the town hall and the city's 700-year-old rows—two-levelled galleried arcades with independent boutiques. Passengers can travel in restored carriages, with first-class guests receiving complimentary refreshments and an optional Pullman Dining experience described as an 'exquisite' on-board culinary journey.
Pricing and Schedule
Tickets start from £245 for non-dining options, rising to £465 for the Pullman dining add-on. The locomotive, with its 42ft2 firebox, is scheduled to arrive in Chester at 2pm, with the return trip departing at 5.20pm. The Steam Dreams excursion is designed to offer a step back in time, with bookings available at steamdreams.co.uk.
