On July 21, the Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train The first luxury sleeper trains in England and Wales will leave from London Victoria Station for its inaugural trip. The eight-carriage train offers three-night tours that showcase Cornwall’s coast, Wales’ villages and forests, or the mountains of the Lake District.
Belmond CEO Dan Ruff says: “The launch is a significant moment for Belmond, as we build upon the heritage of English and Welsh rail travel by introducing the first luxury sleeper trains.” Travel + Leisure. “The train embodies a slow luxury that allows our guests to disconnect and experience British wit and charm. They can also enjoy food and drink that reflect the landscapes and flavors in the regions it passes through. Off-board experiences provide exclusive access to the most interesting locations of England and Wales.
The Britannic Explorer accommodates just 36 guests across 18 cabins—including 15 suites and three Grand Suites—each outfitted with interiors that take inspiration from the country’s natural landscapes. Albion Nord, a London-based design studio, collaborated with Luke Edward Hall Mel Campion and Olly fathers to create a space filled with artwork, antiques and bold fabrics and wallpapers.
Two restaurant cars, Malva and Samphire, feature menus created by chef Simon Rogan, a pioneer of sustainable British gastronomy behind restaurants like the three-Michelin-starred L’Enclume in Cumbria. Menus highlight the star ingredients of each region. Two dishes from the Cornwall Journey, for instance, highlight local ingredients: St. Ives Bay Spider Crab with hand-harvested Seaweed and Devon Duck roasted with Wild Fennel.
The Observation Car is a wood paneled bar featuring ochre banquettes, amber-colored glass and details inspired by Victorian apothecaries. In the Observation car, guests can enjoy classic gin-and-tonics and other cocktails inspired by their destination. Afternoon tea with regional specialties like Welsh teacakes and bara Brith fruitcake is the first step in each journey.
A Wellness Suite onboard offers massages and facials created with British skincare company Wildsmith. The wellness experience extends to curated off-train activities, too—think wood-fired saunas and scenic hikes in Wales, and wild swimming and rowing in the Lake District.
Each itinerary is designed to immerse passengers in the best that each region has to offer. The Wales trip includes Eryri National Park in Wales, the Pembrokeshire coastline, a lavender farm and an intimate night at a Cotswolds traditional pub. Lake District visitors can play English lawn-games at Lingholm Estate – the Grade II listed Victorian mansion that Beatrix Potter used to summer in. Cornwall offers private wine tours and boat tours that showcase the idyllic coastline.
Belmond has added the Britannic to its luxury train lineup around the globe. Peru’s Andean Explorer Then, you can get in touch with us. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express The journey takes passengers to iconic European cities such as Paris and Venice. These journeys show the increasing interest in luxury trains, which are part of the slow travel trend, which prioritizes a deeper exploration of few destinations over rushed itinerary, and soaks up the journey as much as destination.
“Our guests aboard the Britannic Explorer will experience a new pace of travel as they celebrate the contemporary heritage of England and Wales,” says Ruff.
Three-night itineraries on the Britannic Explorer, a Belmond Train start from £11,000 ($15,118) based on a double cabin and including excursions, meals, wine and alcoholic beverages on board, and you can book at belmond.com.
