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First look: inside the brand-new luxury Belmond sleeper train which will link up London, Cornwall, Wales and the Lake District in 2025

All aboard the Britannic Explorer, featuring a spa, food from a Michelin-starred chef and personal butler service

Amy Houghton
Written by
Amy Houghton
Contributing writer
Bar inside Belond Brittanic Explorer
Image: Belmond
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Belmond, the folk behind the insanely glamorous Royal Scotsman, is launching a brand new luxury sleeper train: the Britannic Explorer. 

The Explorer will be the first train of its kind offering itineraries from the capital and across England and Wales. It’ll debut in July 2025 and offer three day itineraries from London to either the Lake District, Cornwall or Wales. Along the journey, passengers will hop off to explore places like St Ives, Penzance in Cornwall, Haverfordwest and Porthmadog in Wales and Ribblehead Viaduct in the Lakes.

The locomotive will have 18 cabins, three of which will be grand suites with marble en-suite bathrooms, a lounge and a personal butler.

The food menu has been designed by chef Simon Rogan, owner of the Lake District’s three-Michelin starred and world-renowned restaurant, L’Enclume. Each journey package includes lunch, dinner and bespoke afternoon tea reflecting the best of Britain’s culinary heritage. Between meals, passengers can hang out in the train’s bar, inspired by Victorian apothecaries and offering botanic cocktails as well as artisan gins and craft beers. 

If lounging amid all that luxury gets a bit too stressful, there’s also an on-board spa offering passengers facials and massages to ‘relax and revive’. 

All of that comes with a hefty price tag, though. Journeys on the Britannic Explorer start from £11,000 a night for a double cabin. Here’s a closer look at what you’d get: 

Lounge inside Belmond Britannic Explorer
Image: Belmond
Dining cart inside Belond Brittanic Explorer
Image: Belmond
Bedroom suite inside Belond Brittanic Explorer
Image: Belmond
Bar inside Belond Brittanic Explorer
Image: Belmond

Luxurious travel with Time Out 

Whether you really can afford it or (like us) just enjoy dreaming, take a look at our list of the other most opulent train journeys in the world. And if that’s up your street, check out the news that the famous Orient Express is returning to Italy next year

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