Belmond's New Train – the 'Britannic Explorer' – is Peak British Luxury

Just days after it was revealed that the British royal family’s Royal Train is being decommissioned in 2027, upscale hospitality and leisure company Belmond – part of the LVMH portfolio – has announced that it’s launching the Britannic Explorer, a lavish new locomotive it describes as “the first luxury sleeper train in England and Wales.” The Britannic Explorer joins Belmond’s storied fleet of opulent – bordering on majestic – sleeper trains, including the Andean Explorer, which takes passengers on an alpine odyssey across Peru’s lakes and mountains, and the Royal Scotsman, with its 40 years of service and adventure across the Scottish Highlands – and it’s making its maiden voyage this month.

Starting July 21, the Britannic Explorer will depart from London’s Victoria Station on carefully curated three-night itineraries, taking take guests to England’s southern Cornish coastline, north through Cumbria to the picturesque Lake District, then into the Welsh heartland before returning to the capital.

It features a total of 18 cabins – comprising 15 regular suites and three grand suites – and has an aesthetic borrowed straight from the British countryside: throughout the train you’ll find natural materials like wood, stone and wool – organic elements inspired by the “beauty of the surrounding landscapes,” according to Belmond – that are complimented by a color palette of earthy tones, which the brand says add to the Britannic Explorer’s “vibrant character.”

But while the Britannic Explorer is filled with decidedly British details, the brand is inviting would-be guests to “forget stuffy tradition” – because, Belmond says, its latest locomotive “embodies modern British identity” instead. It describes the interior of the new train as “refined yet bold” and “timeless yet unexpected,” with “bold fabrics playing off layered textures and hand-selected antiques.” These, the brand says, create a rich, warm aesthetic that blends “timeless elegance and modern flair.”

To achieve its vision, Belmond enlisted contemporary designers from across the United Kingdom – including Luke Edward Hall, Mel Campion, and Brixton-based Olly Fathers – that embody the “evolving spirit” of the nation, all of whom collaborated with London-based studio Albion Nord on the train’s design. The outcome, according to Belmond, is a train that blends “history, style, and personality to create something unexpected and unconventional.”

As you’d expect, catering on board the Britannic Explorer is as elevated as the rest of the experience. The train’s menus have been devised by renowned Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, who Belmond describes as “a pioneer of Britain’s farm-to-fork movement.” Rogan’s menus will rotate seasonally, but the food at its core will always showcase the best of Britain’s produce. Health and wellness hasn’t been ignored either, and guests will have access to a dedicated suite that Belmond has created with Wildsmith, which it describes as a “tranquil sanctuary for relaxation and restoration on board.”

Whether by chance or happenstance, Belmond’s timing is impeccable: 183 years (to the month) after Queen Victoria took her first trip on the soon-to-be-retired Royal Train, Belmond’s Britannic Explorer might just offer royals and non-royals alike a chance to explore the country in a way fit for a king or queen. From coastal sailing in Cornwall to wood-fired saunas in Wales, the Britannic Explorer offers a unique way to experience the United Kingdom.