The first ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales, the Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, United Kingdom offers a modern celebration of the British rail tradition.
Recently launched in July 2025, this extraordinary train heralds a new golden age of rail travel and a return to romance, elegance, and the art of unhurried discovery. Where other trains transport you from place to place, the Britannic Explorer carries you into a story: of misty moors, glittering coastlines, and emerald hills. A choice of three- and six-night itineraries allows guests to explore the rich patchwork of the United Kingdom in intriguing, intimate, and sometimes delightfully eccentric style.
But beyond the view, this train is a world unto itself, of velvet banquettes, botanically inspired dining cars, bar carts adorned with amber glassware, and an atmosphere where time stretches.
Britain, By Rail
The Cornwall Journey
A four-day celebration of sea, sculpture, and South-West soul
Cornwall is revealed in all its sand-kissed, sea-swept glory on this elegant journey to the far reaches of southwest England. Begin with a Cornish Afternoon Tea by Chef Rogan as you glide through the North Wessex Downs and Somerset’s storied towns. By twilight, the train travels heritage tracks along the coast while guests enjoy cocktails and live music in the Observation Car.
The journey continues along the Riviera Line to Penzance, passing through Dartmoor’s wild beauty. Choose from visits to St. Ives and the Tate, or a sculpture garden and wine tasting overlooking St. Michael’s Mount. On day three, you might join a beach BBQ in Fowey or visit Colwith Vodka Distillery, before a private tour of Hauser & Wirth Somerset and dinner at Da Costa.
The Wales Journey
A three-night odyssey through Cymru’s green heart and coastal soul
Departing London, you’re welcomed aboard with a Welsh Afternoon Tea, bara brith and all. The train rolls into golden-hour Cotswolds before winding through Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia, and the Heart of Wales Line. Disembark for hikes through remote valleys, restorative time at a lavender farm, or explore Machynlleth’s modern art scene.
Evenings feature fine dining, fireside drinks, and one unforgettable night at The Fox in Oddington, a 16th-century Cotswolds pub where guests learn to pour the perfect pint beneath timber beams and candlelight.
The Lake District Journey
A three-night retreat into the storybook stillness of Northern England
This poetic journey begins with Cumbrian Afternoon Tea and ends in the gardens of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. In between: canoeing on Derwentwater, meeting alpacas at the Lingholm Estate, and dancing in the Observation Car after candlelit dinners. Traverse Yorkshire, Bowland, and the Peak District, glide over the Ribblehead Viaduct, and let yourself be wrapped in a countryside lullaby.
The Grand Circuits
Lake District & Wales
A six-night celebration of landscape, literature, and layered luxury
Begin in the Lake District, with its glassy lakes and literary ghosts. Paddleboard beneath the peaks, dine beside candlelight, and toast at Le Manoir before continuing westward to Wales. There, Snowdonia’s heights, lavender-filled farms, and Cotswolds revelry await.
Cornwall & Wales
A coastal-to-country immersion across Britain’s wildest edges
Start in sun-drenched Cornwall, with seaside sculpture gardens, wild swims, and wine overlooking the sea. Then transition into the green hills of Wales, where you’ll explore artistic villages, hike soaring valleys, and gather for pub feasts under the stars.
Off the Rails
For those seeking a seamless journey beyond the tracks, Tully Luxury Travel can design bespoke pre- and post-train experiences to extend the magic. Arrive in London for a night at Claridge’s with a private viewing of the Royal Academy’s latest exhibition. Spend a few days in Bath at The Royal Crescent Hotel, soaking in the Roman baths and dining with a local historian. Or conclude your journey in the Scottish Highlands, cocooned in a luxury hotel overlooking a glassy loch.
The Britannic Explorer is a love letter to the British Isles. It’s an invitation to slow down, to look out, and to fall in love with the journey.