• The Wessex Belle

Dine in style behind a historic steam engine through two return trips on the beautiful Purbeck Line.

Details of our services for 2012 are now available, and bookings are now open. More details, menus and timetable here.

(Details of our lunch services for 2012 have also been confirmed - please see below)

• The Wessex Belle Bistro

The Wessex Belle Bistro is an informal diesel-hauled evening service that offers a changing menu. Join and alight at any station on the line. Dine in a luxury carriage or just enjoy a drink at the Royal Wessex Bar.

Details of our services for 2012 will be available shortly.

(Details of our lunch services for 2012 have now been announced - please see below)

• Sunday Luncheons

What better way to enjoy Britain's renowned traditional Sunday Roast Lunch than travelling on our luxury dining train through the beautiful Purbeck countryside. En route you will have fabulous views of the famous ruins of iconic Corfe Castle as the meal, cooked and prepared in our on-train kitchen coach, is served at your table.

Departing from Swanage station at 1:20pm the steam-hauled train conveys you in comfort, on two return journeys, along the restored Swanage Railway branch line before returning to Swanage at 1608.

This service runs on selected dates only, including Mothering Sunday and Father's Day, and advance booking is strongly recommended due to the popularity of these trains.

2012 Sunday Luncheons running dates:
Mothering Sunday 18 March, (Booking now open)
1 April,
15 April,
20 May,
27 May,
Father's Day 17 June,
24 June,
8 July,
16 September,
23 September,
30 September,
7 October,
14 October,
21 October,
28 October,
4 November,

The 2012 Sunday Luncheons Menu is now available here or by clicking on the image on the right.

Booking now open here.

• Corporate Events

The Wessex Belle can be hired for corporate events with the menu tailored to your own requirements.

Please contact us at the address below to discuss your requirements.

Wessex Belle Bookings
Swanage Railway Co Ltd
Station House
Swanage
BH19 1HB
Tel: 01929 475207
(General Enquiries to 01929 425800)

• Station Buffets

Our station buffets offer snacks and beverages.

• Bird's Nest Swanage
• Norden Nest at Norden Park & Ride

More details and menus here.

The Return of the Bird's Nest

After several months away from the Railway for a major refurbishment, the Bird's Nest Buffet has now returned to its home at Platform 1 in Swanage. The carriage in which the Bird's Nest is located has done wonderful work over the years and this refurbishment was long overdue.

Alongside the work on the physical structure of the coach we have taken the opportunity to improve the layout of the coach to make it easier to serve our visitors and reduce the queues that were so common at peak times.

The "new" Bird's Nest Buffet was officially re-opened on 30 July at 11am by American 1970s Sesame Street children's character Big Bird. See our news pages for a full photo report here.

More details and revised menu here.

• On-train Buffets

Some scheduled services include an on-train buffet offering cakes, hot and cold drinks. Some trains also have a bar service.

More details and menus here.