A £10 railway adventure combining vintage steam travel with English wine tasting will depart from Kingscote Station throughout August, courtesy of ride-hailing platform Uber.
The half-day excursion features a journey through the countryside aboard a historic Pullman carriage to an acclaimed Sussex vineyard.
Passengers will experience traditional rail travel whilst sampling locally produced wines at Highweald vineyard, which has earned recognition for its vintages.
The offering represents Uber's move into experiential travel bookings, building on an 80 per cent annual increase in railway reservations through its platform.
The Golden Arrow Pullman, recognised from television productions including Downton Abbey and Poirot, will transport guests on this culinary rail journey.
A three-course British menu awaits passengers, featuring artisanal cheeses, hand-carved meats and seasonal salads, paired with wines selected by a sommelier.
Professional violinists will perform contemporary arrangements of chart hits from artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat and Lil Nas X during the journey. Non-alcoholic alternatives will be available for those who prefer not to drink.
Drinking champagne and white wine could reduce the risk of cardiac arrest | GETTYThe experience includes guided tours of Highweald's vineyards, where visitors can sample the estate's award-winning wines whilst learning about English viticulture.
Research indicates that 57 per cent of British holidaymakers now prefer taking many short domestic breaks over longer overseas holidays.
Young travellers increasingly reject traditional party hotspots like Magaluf, with 64 per cent of Gen Z preferring wholesome British experiences. Their priorities include seeking memorable activities (42 per cent), managing budgets (49 per cent) and finding relaxation (48 per cent).
The train excursion comes as there has been a boost in English wine tourism, which generated 1.5 million visits in 2023 alone - a 55 per cent rise from the previous year. Wine tourism now contributes 25 per cent of average winery revenue across more than 300 participating UK vineyards.
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It will include wines from Highweald vineyard
|HIGHWEALD VINEYARD
General manager at Uber UK, Andrew Brem, said: "We're incredibly excited to launch The Grape British Railway, a beautiful blend of British style, scenery, and sommelier-selected wines.
"With English vineyards on the rise and more people discovering the joy of exploring the UK by train, it's the perfect summer escape. Whether you're a wine lover or simply after a unique weekend experience, it's all bookable at the tap of a button via the Uber app."
Winemaker at Highweald Vineyard, Colm Evans, added: "We're thrilled to partner with Uber to bring The Grape British Railway to life. There's never been a more exciting time for English wine, and this unique experience gives guests the chance to see and taste what makes our vineyards so special. From the first glass to the last view of the countryside, it celebrates everything we love about our homegrown wine culture."
Uber’s Grape British Railway will run exclusively on August 23 and 30, and is bookable via The Grape British Railway website: https://ubergrapebritishrailway.co.uk/