Step aside Orient Express. England is getting its own ultra-luxe rail adventure.
Just when you thought train travel couldn't get any more glamorous, Belmond drops a bombshell that will have luxury travel enthusiasts reaching for their steamer trunks. Come July 2025, the Britannic Explorer will wind its way through some of Britain's most spellbinding landscapes, offering what might just be the most sophisticated way to experience the British countryside since the golden age of rail.
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If you've ever dreamed of gliding through the English countryside like nobility of yesteryear (but with infinitely better amenities), this is your moment. Belmond, the masterminds behind the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient Express, have outdone themselves with this latest venture – a train that manages to be both thoroughly British and utterly luxurious without a hint of stuffiness.
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Swoon-Worthy Interiors
Picture this: you're reclining in your suite (one of just 18 onboard), watching the wild British landscape unfold through your window like a living Constable painting. The interiors, crafted by the brilliant minds at Albion Nord, strike the perfect note of elevated Britishness, with soft, dusty greens and pinks, and vintage-inspired touches. The result? Less a hotel room on rails and more a cultivated English country house in motion.
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Michelin-Starred Dining
Eight-Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan is Conductor-In-Chief of hospitality, promising a culinary journey that's as spectacular as the visual one. Forget any notions of standard train fare – this is hyperlocal, seasonal British cuisine at its finest, served in a dining car that would make any Royal feel right at home.
Three Routes to Rule Them All
The genius of the Britannic Explorer lies in its three distinct routes: Cornwall with its rugged coastlines and artistic heritage, Wales with its mythical landscapes and ancient castles, and the Lake District with its poetic vistas and wild swimming spots. Each three-night journey includes carefully curated excursions that feel more like stepping into a private club than a typical tourist experience – think exclusive access to Hauser & Wirth Somerset or intimate dinners at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons.
True luxury demands investment, and with the Britannic Explorer, it's well placed. For those who understand that true luxury lies not just in thread counts and champagne (though there's plenty of both), but in the art of slow travel and the joy of seeing Britain's most beautiful corners from a unique vantage point, this journey more than justifies its premium position.
