First ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales, launching in 2025: the ‘Britannic Explorer’ features a spa, food from super chef Simon Rogan – and luxury en suite cabins from £5,800
The first ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales will be launched in July 2025, it has been announced.
It will have 18 ‘extraordinary’ cabins, ranging in price from £5,800 to £14,100 per person, all-inclusive, and dining experiences designed by three-Michelin star chef Simon Rogan.
There will also be an onboard bar, a marble-covered spa and an observation car.
The chic service will be operated by hospitality group Belmond and will be called the ‘Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train’.
Departing from London Victoria, it will offer three-night trips along ‘three evocative routes’ through Cornwall, the Lake District and Wales, offering ‘privileged access to iconic destinations’ along the way.
Passengers on a Cornish holiday glide along the Riviera Line, passing Teignmouth, Plymouth, St Austell and Truro and finally to Penzance. Excursions on offer include exploring the ‘artistic harbour’ of St Ives and a private wine tasting with views of St Michael’s Mount.
The Lake District trip includes an excursion to the Beatrix Potter estate and a journey along the historic Settle & Carlisle line.
The foray into Wales, meanwhile, is to the Snowdonia National Park, ‘where lush valleys rise to meet soaring peaks and waterfalls’.
The first ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales will be launched in July 2025, it has been announced. The chic service will be operated by hospitality group Belmond and will be called the ‘Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train’. Above: One of the train’s £14,100pp Grand Suites
Britannic Explorer departs from London Victoria and offers three-night trips along ‘three evocative routes’ through Cornwall, the Lake District and Wales. Upstairs – a Grand Suite bedroom
Grand Suites feature personal butler service and a marble bathroom (upstairs)
The most luxurious cabins are the three ‘Grand Suites’, which cost from £14,100 per person. They have a personal butler service, a ‘luxurious’ double bed and a private bathroom with marble sink and shower cabin.
Double and twin suites cost from £5,800 per person and feature luxury beds, ceramic planks and en suite bathrooms.
Commenting on the cabins, Belmond said: “Each of the Britannic Explorer’s 18 cabins combine refinement with comfort. The three Grand Suites and 15 suites have been carefully crafted in Britain and subtly designed to make the experience of the journey as extraordinary as the destination.
‘Inspired by sweeping views of Britain’s rugged coasts and rolling hills, every moment is transformed into a visual feast, whether passengers are making themselves at home in the privacy of their cabin, relaxing in the onboard spa or indulging in the bar and restaurant carts.’
Above is the train’s luxurious spa, with marble countertops
The bar, ‘inspired by Victorian pharmacists’ and located in the observation car
The above view shows the rear of the observation vehicle
Above is the dining car, where guests can enjoy menus designed by chef Simon Rogan, who runs the three-Michelin-starred Cumbrian restaurant L’Enclume
Double cabins on the train start from £5,800 per person. Above is a double room in sofa mode
The above view shows a double cabin with bed made up
The onboard dining experiences, meanwhile, will ‘celebrate seasonal, sustainable ingredients, locally sourced to showcase the richness of Britain’s diverse regions’, with guests able to enjoy ‘bespoke afternoon tea, lunch and dinner menus’.
Rogan, whose L’Enclume restaurant in Cumbria has held three Michelin stars as of 2022, said: ‘For me, true luxury lies in humble ingredients, grown with care, respectful of their environment and harvested at their peak.
‘In all my restaurants, my dishes are defined by local, often home-grown produce, and by working with British growers and suppliers who share our deep connection with the land and its natural elements.
‘I’m really excited to introduce this approach at the launch of the Britannic Explorer, where each plate will reflect the diverse landscapes of Britain.
I hope that every passenger not only enjoys the flavors, but also feels a connection between the dishes and the journey, making their time on board truly unforgettable.”
Quality ingredients will also be used in the bar, ‘inspired by Victorian apothecaries’, located in the observation car.
Ticket to Ride in Luxury: Above is the vanity mirror in a double cabin
Double cabins cost from £5,800 per person. Above you see a twin in couch mode
The view above shows a double room with beds set up
Above you can see the embarkation lobby
Belmond said: ‘The bar offers an elegant and cozy atmosphere where guests can enjoy a menu of innovative, botanically inspired cocktails, alongside a carefully curated selection of craft gins and craft beers, with an emphasis on the best offering from Britain’s independent distilleries and breweries.’
Gary Franklin, Vice President of Trains and Cruises, Belmond, commented: “I am incredibly proud to launch this revolutionary new train, which further enhances Belmond’s global portfolio of market-leading luxury rail experiences. The Britannic Explorer offers something truly unique: a chance to explore Cornwall’s rugged coastline, the untamed Snowdonia National Park and the vast expanses of the Lake District like never before.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome esteemed Chef Simon Rogan to lead culinary direction. His vision delivers a gastronomic journey that complements the adventurous spirit of the train, celebrating British produce and highlighting the best local specialties along the route.”
Prices include a three-night trip, excursions, meals, wine and alcoholic drinks on board. Visit for more information www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/britannic-explorer.
