Reserve a ride on the premiere luxury sleeper train in England and Wales
Belmond, a luxury travel brand, is set to revolutionise train travel in England and Wales with the introduction of the Britannic Explorer. Scheduled to embark on its inaugural journey on July 21, 2025, this luxury sleeper train promises an unparalleled journey through the heart of the British countryside.
The design concept for the Britannic Explorer is rooted in celebrating the great British landscapes and craftsmanship, creating an experience that seamlessly blends refined elegance with a modern British identity. London-based design studio Albion Nord has led this design transformation, focusing on creating interiors that feel like "jewellery boxes filled with timeless elegance and playful charm."
The interiors evoke countryside greens, coastal blues, and English garden tones that reflect different regions of Britain. Each of the 18 cabins on the Britannic Explorer evokes a refreshing and serene ambience, with the three Grand Suites named after native botanicals—Valerian, Juniper, and Elder—and their color and texture palettes drawn from these natural inspirations.
The observation car features a bar styled to evoke Victorian apothecaries, with warm colors, rich fabrics, and fine burl wood, creating a luxurious yet inviting hub for socialising and savoring the slow travel experience. Oak panelling and graphic art by Olly Fathers further enhance the sophisticated atmosphere of the Britannic Explorer.
Bold fabrics, layered textures, and hand-selected antiques contribute to the character and creativity of the interiors. Custom furnishings and artworks by notable contemporary UK artists such as Luke Edward Hall and Olly Fathers add to the unique charm of the Britannic Explorer.
The powder room and wellness suite on the Britannic Explorer feature bespoke shell artwork by Mel Campion, inspired by marine botanicals. The wellness suite emphasises mindfulness, movement, and adventure with off-board excursions.
Passengers can choose from a variety of routes, including trips through Cornwall, the Lake District, and Wales. The culinary experience on board is equally impressive, with Chef Simon Rogan crafting a menu for the two dining cars, Malva and Samphire, with ingredients sourced from his farm in the Lake District.
Rates for a double cabin on the Britannic Explorer start from £11,000 and include a three-night itinerary, excursions, meals, and alcoholic beverages on board. This rolling country house invites guests to engage in slow, soulful travel while surrounded by interiors that celebrate British natural beauty, heritage, and contemporary design innovation.
The Britannic Explorer offers more than just a journey; it's an immersive experience that combines the romance of a bygone era with the comforts of modern luxury travel. This is a tribute to tradition and an embodiment of contemporary luxury travel, making it a must-experience for any discerning traveller.
- The Britannic Explorer, a luxury sleeper train by Belmond, promises an unparalleled journey through the British countryside, offering an immersive experience that blends refined elegance with a modern British identity, not only in its train travel but also in its food-and-drink offerings and home-and-garden inspired interiors.
- As part of the Britannic Explorer's commitment to celebrating British natural beauty, proprietor Chef Simon Rogan has curated a lifestyle experience that extends to the food-and-drink offering, featuring locally sourced ingredients from his farm in the Lake District, while passengers can explore various regions of the UK through travel itineraries.
