Wensleydale Railway has announced that its popular afternoon tea train services will return with new menus and extra dates this year.

As well as traditional afternoon tea favourites, the railway is offering customers a Ploughman’s Lunch service and new Mediterranean and Indian-inspired menus. Indian food lovers can enjoy two Indian-inspired afternoon tea trains and two evening dining trains, choosing from a range of authentic Indian dishes.

The railway’s afternoon tea train services begin with a Valentine’s Day lunchtime train on Sunday 15 February. Tea trains will run for Mother’s Day (15 March), Easter Sunday (5 April), Spring (19 April), with an Indian-inspired tea train on 3 May, Indian-cuisine evening train on 18 May, early summer train on 7 June, Ploughman’s Lunch special train on Father’s Day (21 June) and Yorkshire Day (2 August), a Mediterranean-inspired summer train on 23 August, an Indian-cuisine evening train on 21 September and an Indian-inspired tea train on 18 October.

The afternoon teas cost £52.50 per adult and £30 for children (aged 14 and under) and the price includes the rail ticket and a complimentary glass of fizz (or soft drink). The Railway added that booking was essential to avoid disappointment.

Nick Keegan, Marketing and Fundraising Manager at Wensleydale Railway said: “Our catering team volunteers, led by Mo Park, have worked incredibly hard with our partner The Green Apple Tree Indian Restaurant of Northallerton to develop new and exciting menus for our customers to enjoy. We trialled an Indian afternoon tea and evening curry train last year. These proved very popular with customers, and we are pleased to announce an expanded Indian-inspired food offer this year.”

He added: “Our afternoon tea services are perfect for a special occasion, family celebrations, as a gift to a loved one or just a treat for you. Do something different this year and create unique memories on board our dining trains!”