Bassenthwaite Lake Station & Carriage Cafe

About

Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake Station offers a unique place to enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch aboard the Orient Express train, right here in the Lake District.

In its heyday between 1865 and 1966, Bassenthwaite Lake Station saw holidaymakers and haulage alike pass between its platforms, but was sadly closed in 1966, when the Beeching cuts put an end to its operation.

Over the years, it fell into a state of total disrepair and the once proud sandstone platforms and stately outbuildings of the station became dilapidated, the track bed buried and hidden by brambles and the signalmen’s cottages collapsed and became ruins.

Brought back from the brink by the proprietors, Simon and Diana Parums in April 2019, when they bought the site and realised the huge potential, over the course of two years restored the station to it's former glory, in keeping with the 1930’s era that inspired the arrival of the train itself.

The replica French SNCF Class 241 steam engine, which is now a permanent fixture on the track is in fact the very train that appears in the 2017 film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ starring Dame Judi Dench and Johnny Depp. Built a little bit wider than a ‘real life’ train in order to fit in camera crews, nowadays the carriage serves as seating for the café with enough room to comfortably accommodate around 32 people.

Dine in style but come as you are!

Welcoming everyone from boot-clad Wainwright baggers to those in their Sunday Brunch Best! The dining areas are dog-friendly throughout, provided dogs are well-behaved and kept on a lead at all times. Highchairs can be provided for tiny diners and there is adequate space to accommodate wheelchairs in both the station buildings and the carriage (although some areas may not be suitable for wider chairs, please call ahead to discuss with the friendly team).

The Carriage Café.

The romantic ambience and art-deco features of the stunning Agatha Christie carriage café make this a truly unique dining experience that is not to be missed by locomotive lovers, film enthusiasts and foodies alike! The carriage comfortably seats 26 people at 11 tables of two and four. Larger parties can be seated at opposite tables or grouped together where possible, though please mention this at the time of booking to avoid disappointment.

The Ticket Office and Waiting Rooms.

Soak up the buzz of Bassenthwaite Lake Station in the carefully restored station buildings. The seating in the ticket office and waiting room area is kept unreserved for walk-ins and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A cheerful collection of colourful, train-themed jigsaw puzzles adorn the waiting room walls and keep an eye out for some unique features including a lovingly preserved panel of original British Rail green paintwork!

At particularly busy times a full menu food service cannot be guaranteed in the station buildings, although hot and cold refreshments and sweet treats are available at all times so you can always quell those cake and ice cream cravings after a day on the fells!

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