AS the Cathedrals Express train rolled into Beaconsfield Railway Station to collect hundreds of excited passengers, I knew I was in for a treat.

Stepping on to the luxurious steam train I was transformed into a world long gone.

I boarded the train with trepidation, not quite sure what to expect of the long journey.

However, the afternoon passed by as easily as our train did through the beautiful parts of southern England, as we made our way to Stratford-upon-Avon.

As much as I was in awe of the beautiful train which I boarded with my Nan, the food was what I was really looking forward to.

In the premier dining carriage, our every need was catered for as we sat back and enjoyed our meal while admiring the green hills passing us by.

For starters I went for the goats' cheese salad. Although a slightly conservative choice I was impressed by the quality of the course.

Covered in lashings of pesto sauce, the crunchy salad was full of flavour and taste while the creamy goats' cheese offered the perfect balance to the meal.

For mains we were treated to roast pork. Once again I was unsure of the impact the meal would have, in the knowledge that dry pork can easily ruin a good meal.

However, the succulent meat was enjoyed by all on our carriage with only clean plates being returned to the kitchen.

Alongside the juicy meat were three crispy coated roast potatoes all concealing a delicate, light and fluffy centre.

Although the main course was not overpowering, it was filling enough to make us relax even further into our comfortable chairs.

For dessert we were treated to a raspberry torte served with a mix of berries and two crunchy pistachio biscottis.

The torte was rich in flavour and soft in texture and was the perfect finish to our afternoon meal.

The biscottis were a brilliant accompaniment and offered a great contrast in texture from the tasty torte.

After a stop in Stratford, discovering the sites including Shakespeare’s house, we made our way back to the platform for another comfortable trip though the countryside.

Soon to come was our high tea, scones, jams, creams and hot drink was the expectation, but we were in for a surprise.

We were once again in for a feast as first we sampled a light quiche Lorraine.

The quiche with its crunchy crust was almost as good as our earlier main but was light enough to be conceived as a snack.

Following on from the airy pastry we had a thick chunk of chocolate brownie served with a scoop of thick cream.

The rich chocolate treat was too much for my Nan, but perfect for the onboard chocoholics - myself included - who finished the second dessert with a smile on their faces.

Followed by a round of coffee and truffles our luxurious journey was continued all the way back to Beaconsfield where sadly we had to depart.

With prices for premier dining between £135 and £199 per person, I left unsure if the price reflected in the experience.

But for train lovers and food lovers it was certainly most won’t forget in a hurry.

Go to www.steamdreams.co.uk for more details.