Train enthusiasts who love a certain level of luxury on the rails, heads up: Bookings for the Britannic Explorer, the first luxury sleeper train in England and Wales, are now open, just ahead of the busy summer travel season.
The latest portfolio addition by award-winning rail operator Belmond, the 18-cabin Britannic Explorer will debut on July 4, 2025, kicking off a new chapter of rail travel in the United Kingdom with an unprecedented level of luxury and nostalgia on the train’s three- and six-night itineraries.
The Britannic Explorer itineraries
The Britannic Explorer will depart from London, offering a trio of three-night itineraries through Cornwall, northern England’s Lake District, and Wales. For passengers looking for a longer journey (and who wouldn’t want to spend more time riding the rails in this kind of comfort?), the schedule is designed for mixing and matching destinations—meaning you can either tackle Cornwall and Wales or the Lake District and Wales over six nights. Along the way, optional off-train excursions include private dining at exclusive restaurants, guided hikes, clay pigeon shooting, coastal sailing, and open-water swimming.
Highlights of the Wales itinerary include a guided hike in Llandrindod Wells, a town along the Pembrokeshire coastline; journeying through scenic Eryri National Park with its endless green hills and waterfalls; and visiting the charming Cotswolds town of Moreton-in-Marsh before a final local pub send-off. The Lake District itinerary brings travelers along the coast of Cambria to Workington for a visit to the Victorian-era Lingholm Estate, where guests have the option for an open-water swim or a hike through the surrounding Lake District landscapes. The journey ends in Oxfordshire for a gala dinner in a 15th-century manor. And finally, the Cornwall itinerary heads due west from the capital city straight for the southern Cornwall coast, where stops feature coastal hikes, exploring seaside towns, and a private tour of the Hauser & Wirth gallery in Bruton.
The food served in the Britannica Explorer dining car will reflect that of the regions rolling by outside
Courtesy of Belmond
Fine dining and luxe interiors
No matter which itinerary passengers choose, the onboard experience is sure to impress. Among the many highlights will be fine dining by acclaimed British chef Simon Rogan; a wellness suite and spa carriage (plus a just-announced partnership with Wildsmith, a leading British skincare and wellness brand); and a botanically inspired bar where passengers can savor cocktails and views of the English countryside rolling past.
Meanwhile, 18 total cabins, including 3 Grand Suites, feature sophisticated interiors by London-based studio Albion Nord, with inspiration coming from the English coastline and U.K. heritage. Prices start at £11,000 (about US$14,000) based on double occupancy (including meals, drinks, and excursions).
One notable highlight for passengers will be the Britannic Explorer’s culinary offerings in the two dining cars, named Malva and Samphire. Helming the program is Rogan, a pioneering chef in Britain’s farm-to-fork movement whose restaurants, including L’Enclume in central England, boast a total of eight Michelin stars and two Michelin Green stars worldwide.
All three routes will include afternoon tea, lunch, and dinner menus inspired by regional cuisine and influences, showcasing locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
The bar promises to be an especially spiffy spot to linger over an aperitif. Located in the Observation Car, the area is inspired by Victorian apothecaries, with creative, botanically leaning cocktails, artisan gins, and craft beers. A signature cocktail will be unveiled in 2025, a Belmond spokesperson told Afar.
Guest suites on the Britannic Explorer are inspired by the British countryside.
Courtesy of Belmond
Belmond’s recent rail expansion
It’s been a busy time for Belmond, which was acquired by French luxury brand LVMH in 2019 and has rolled forward with several major projects across its rail portfolio since the pandemic. In 2024, it relaunched the Eastern & Oriental Express and unveiled new accommodations and routes on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, including Paris to the French Alps, with a new Paris to Portofino, Italy, itinerary scheduled to start service in June.
One much-celebrated recent development was the unveiling at the Venice Biennale of its L’Observatoire, a new sleeper carriage conceptualized by the acclaimed French photographer and street artist JR. In addition, Belmond also has added new Grand Suites on the Royal Scotsman.
This story was originally published in November 2024, and was updated on March 5, 2025, to include current information.
