Belmond will introduce the Britannic Explorer, a luxury sleeper train in England and Wales, in July 2025.
The Britannic Explorer will depart from London, offering three-night journeys with a choice of three routes through the landscapes of Cornwall, the Lake District and Wales. The routes are scheduled to enable travelers to combine two regional journeys into one trip: The Cornwall and Lake District routes run from Friday to Monday, while the Wales route runs from Monday to Thursday.
Belmond said the train will “fuse a celebration of timeless rail heritage with contemporary British gastronomy, culture and style.”
Fine dining will be designed by Simon Rogan, whose restaurants collectively hold eight Michelin stars and two Michelin Green stars. Rogan, a leader in Britain’s farm-to-fork movement, will craft menus celebrating seasonal, sustainable ingredients, sourced locally to showcase Britain’s diverse regions. Each of the three train routes will feature afternoon tea, lunch and dinner.
The Britannic Explorer’s Observation Car will be home to the botanically inspired Bar. Photo Credit: Belmond
Cultural programming will invite travelers to discover the essence of Britain. Highlights include a private tour and dinner at the Hauser & Wirth Somerset and on-site restaurant Da Costa, guided hikes through Wales, wild swimming in the Lake District and a visit to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens in Cornwall.
For those traveling through the Cotswolds on the Lake District route, the Britannic Explorer offers a stop at the Michelin two-star manor house hotel and restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire.
The social heart of the Britannic Explorer will be the Bar, located in the Observation Car. The Bar, inspired by Victorian apothecaries, will feature a menu of botanically inspired cocktails, alongside a curated selection of artisan gins and craft beers, highlighting offerings from the U.K.’s independent distilleries and breweries.
The Britannica Explorer will have three grand suites. Photo Credit: Belmond
London-based studio Albion Nord is creating “serenely elegant interiors with an unmistakable British charm, distinct to the train,” Belmond said. The accommodations are inspired by sweeping views of Britain’s rugged coastlines and rolling hills. The train will have three grand suites and 15 suites.
The Britannic Explorer joins Belmond’s other U.K. trains: The British Pullman and the Royal Scotsman.
Prices for a three-night itinerary on the Britannic Explorer start at 11,000 British pounds (about $14,000) based on a double cabin. It includes excursions, meals, and wine and alcoholic beverages onboard.
