Valentines Shakespeare Express: Steam-Hauled Afternoon Tea from Birmingham Snow Hill

Climb aboard the Valentines Shakespeare Express, a Valentine’s Day special steam-hauled excursion departing from Birmingham Snow Hill that threads the soft fields and hedgerows of Warwickshire. For roughly three hours you’ll travel on the mainline behind the legendary Flying Scotsman, the iconic steam locomotive built in 1923, while vintage 1960s carriages roll beneath tall, late-winter trees and small village stations slide past the window.

This is a social ride as much as a scenic one: choose First Class and settle into an original 1960s First Class Carriage with a table for two and a sumptuous Afternoon Tea served to your seat; opt for Standard and enjoy reserved seating in a British Railways Mk2 carriage with light refreshments available from the on-train buffet. Tea and coffee are included throughout, and additional drinks can be purchased from servers in the buffet coach. The advertised timetable departs at 13:30 and returns at 17:45, with final timings confirmed 48 hours before departure — plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early.

What lifts this trip above a typical rail journey is the marriage of full-size mainline steam operation and period rail interiors. You’ll hear the rhythms of rods and pistons, smell coal and oil, and see close-up locomotive detail that belongs in a museum while the countryside of Warwickshire — patchwork fields, hedgerows, and occasional river meanders — unspools outside. The Pullman and buffet coach offer standing room and photo vantage points, and the service model mixes theatrical vintage hospitality with practical modern comforts.

Know before you go: children under 16 must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult; children three and under travel free in Standard if not occupying a seat. Accessibility is limited—Pullman and First Class coaches cannot accommodate passengers confined to wheelchairs; a small number of spaces exist in buffet coaches and must be confirmed by calling the booking office. The operator reserves the right to substitute a diesel locomotive if necessary, and cancellation or substitution policies apply.

For readers seeking a romantic, transport-focused experience rather than a hike or museum visit, this trip delivers living railway history, an elegant afternoon tea, and uninterrupted countryside views within easy reach of Birmingham. It’s ideal for couples, rail enthusiasts, and anyone who wants Valentine’s Day to feel like stepping back into a more deliberate, slower time.

Passengers should arrive at Birmingham Snow Hill at least twenty minutes before the confirmed departure. Bookings include a 6% booking fee applied at checkout; prices vary by class and can include table-for-two First Class, First Class seat, and Standard seat options. If you have dietary requirements or need assistance dogs, notify the operator when booking. Consider layers for changing light and a compact camera; travel insurance is recommended.