Britannic Explorer, the first luxury sleeper train in England and Wales

The Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train rolls onto the rails in July 2025.

While the Caledonian Sleeper and Royal Scotsman take travellers across England and Scotland, and the British Pullman and Snowden Mountain Railway host day-long excursions into the British Isles and Welsh Snowdonia respectively, a luxury sleeper train has never traversed the picturesque scenery of England and Wales – until now. Belmond has unveiled the Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train set to hit the rails in July 2025.

Itineraries and excursions

Departing London for three-night journeys on three distinctive routes into Cornwall, The Lake District and Wales, the opulent sleeper train will offer off-train guided excursions and Michelin-quality dining. The routes are scheduled to allow travellers to combine two regional journeys into one trip, with Cornwall and Lake District routes running from Friday to Monday, and the Wales route from Monday to Thursday. Britannic Explorer guests can experience world-class galleries, breathtaking national parks and historically rich cities in an immersive way. Highlights include a private tour and dinner at the renowned Hauser & Wirth Somerset and on-site restaurant Da Costa, guided hikes through Wales, wild swimming in the landscapes of the Lake District and a visit to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens in Cornwall.

Step inside the Britannic Explorer

As the newest addition to Belmond’s luxury rail offerings, including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Italy, the Royal Scotsman in Scotland and the Andean Explorer in Peru, the Britannic Explorer delivers an exceptional guest experience. Each of the 18 cabins and 15 suites aboard the Britannic Explorer were crafted in Britain by London-based design studio, Albion Nord, with a landscape-inspired interior palette and furnishings that exude British charm. The three Grand Suites (Elder, Valerian and Juniper) are the top tier option and include butler service, in-cabin dining upon request, a complimentary wellness treatment, private arrival and departure transfers, a double bed, ensuite bathroom and sofa. The double suites are more restrained with a double bed set-up that converts into seating and an ensuite bathroom. The twin suites offer a similar configuration.

The onboard experience

The Britannic Explorer dining concept is helmed by award-winning restaurateur Simon Rogan whose restaurants collectively hold eight Michelin stars and two Michelin Green stars. His paddock-to-plate afternoon tea, lunch and dinner menus celebrate seasonal, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. The menus are different aboard each route and showcase the best of Britain’s diverse regions. Travellers can book a session in the onboard wellness suite and choose from a generous offering of restorative therapies, kick back and relax in the observation car and sip a selection of botanical cocktails, artisan gins and craft beers in The Bar, styled after a Victorian apothecary. Accommodation aboard the Britannic Explorer starts from £11,000 (AUD $21,982) based on a double cabin for a three-night itinerary, excursions, meals, wine and alcoholic beverages onboard.