There’s something undeniably magical about travelling by train, be it the nostalgia and throwback to the golden age of travel. ‘To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches and rivers. In fact, to see life,’ said Agatha Christie, who, through penning Murder on the Orient Express sparked a lifelong fascination with rail travel. Now, Belmond – one of the world’s most glamorous hotel brands and the group behind the modern-day Orient Express (and six other luxury sleeper trains across the world) – has announced a brand new sleeper train – the luxurious Britannic Explorer.

Belmond sleeper train: the new Britannic Explorer

Launching in 2025, the Britannic Explorer will traverse England and Wales’ most picturesque spots, departing from London on three- to six-night adventures to the idyllic Cornish coast, Lake District and Welsh countryside – past connecting cities and market towns, countryside landscapes, and organic farmlands. The train itself will offer just 18 fabulous compartments (or suites), designed with the utmost comfort and sophistication in mind by London-based studio Albion Nord. The style is art deco, with British charm – crafted in the UK and inspired by its rugged coastlines and rolling hills.

Dining aboard the Britannic Explorer

Dining, too, will be sublime – with the clink of champagne flutes heard in every compartment as the train trundles through the British countryside. Dining aboard the Britannic Explorer has been designed by award-winning restaurateur Simon Rogan, a pioneer of Britain’s farm-to-fork movement. Dining will showcase this sustainable, seasonal way of eating, showcasing the culinary richness of Britain’s regions. Each trip will include a bespoke afternoon tea, lunch and dinner – giving guests plenty of chances to enjoy the finest local specialities.

Experiences and wellness

The Britannic Explorer will, of course, but the British countryside will be at the centre of the trip. However, while on board, guests will have a lot more to do than simply gazing out the window. A Wellness Suite offers an opportunity for restoration, with a menu of soothing spa treatments, while off-board wellness and fitness excursions focus on mindfulness, movement and adventure. Also off-board: a whole itinerary of unique and exciting excursions specially designed for each trip.

Britannic Explorer Cornwall itinerary.

On Cornwall journeys, trips include jollies to the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens – a highlight of England’s southeast and a meditative haven for art and nature lovers. After exploring 20 acres of subtropical gardens and thought-provoking contemporary art installations, Britannic Explorer passengers can enjoy a private Cornish wine tasting overlooking the picturesque tidal island of St Michael’s Mount. Trip highlights also include a Fowey boat tour – a scenic trip around one of the most beautiful places in Cornwall. The tour includes an experienced guide, sighting hidden coves inaccessible by foot and spotting seabirds soaring in their natural habitat.

The Lake District

As they whizz past the dazzling water masses of the picturesque Lake District, guests can disembark for a tour of the jaw-dropping Lingholm Estate – a Grade II-listed Victorian mansion where author Beatrix Potter spent her summers. Activities include quintessentially British lawn games and hike around the nearby fells. Other excursions include embracing the spirit of adventure with wild swimming in the Derwentwater lake – reaping its myriad physical and mental health benefits.

Wales

En-route to the valleys of Wales, the Britannic Explorer will spend a night in The Cotswolds. Known for its pretty villages with ‘chocolate box’ cottages, reminiscent of an English fairytale, guests can embrace rural charm with a visit to a traditional British pub and boutique shops. In Wales, it’s a stop to the beating artistic heart of the country with the vibrant market town of Machynlleth. Sitting at the southern edge of Snowdonia National Park, the town is renowned for its MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) – where hundreds of artworks by Welsh creatives are dotted throughout several exhibitions in a lovely converted chapel.

Trips start in 2025, three- and six-night trips available, trips from around AED27,150 per person, based on two people sharing a suite; belmond.com

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