Latest news with #TheBritannicExplorer
Daily Mirror
31-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Luxury train with spa, Michelin-star chef and £11k tickets that tours the UK
The Britannic Explorer is set to be the first luxury sleeper train to operate in England and Wales - and will be taking passengers on a three night journey through Wales For a train fare of £11,000 per couple, one would anticipate an experience out of this world, and a luxury travel company promises to deliver just that. Luxury brand Belmond is set to launch The Britannic Explorer, offering a three-night journey through Wales this year. Passengers boarding the Britannic Explorer are advised to pack not only walking shoes but also a dinner jacket or cocktail dress. This is the first luxury sleeper train to operate in England and Wales, complete with an onboard spa. Guests will slumber in stunning suites, indulge in world-class dining curated by a Michelin-star chef, and partake in excursions such as hikes in the Welsh countryside, visits to a luxury pub, and clay pigeon shooting. Prices start at £11,000, based on a double cabin for three nights, inclusive of excursions, meals, wine, and alcoholic beverages on board. A three-night route through Wales departs from London Victoria, stopping at Llandrindod Wells and Machynlleth, via Haverfordwest, Porthmadog and Barmouth, before returning to London via the Cotswolds. The itinerary reveals that on the first day, guests will check-in and enjoy an afternoon tea crafted by Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, featuring Welsh teacakes and Bara Brith, reports Wales Online. On the second day, visitors will disembark in Pembrokeshire, alighting at Llandrindod Wells for a guided hike that includes lavender fields, a pond dip or sauna. They'll then reboard the train to traverse the Heart of Wales line, journeying through Carmarthenshire and Powys into Eryri National Park. Other routes across England and Wales include to the Lake District and Cornwall with longer six-night trips also on offer taking in either both the Lakes and Wales or Cornwall and Wales. "Highlights on the Wales route include a picnic-style lunch featuring delights like rarebit and leek tart," the company reveals. "Each dining experience onboard will reflect the landscape outside the train's windows, using the freshest local ingredients to create an immersive culinary journey that celebrates the diverse flavours and stories of England and Wales." Dinner promises to be a "celebration of seasonal British fine dining, perfectly paired with an enchanting entertainment line up", with guests spending the night near Barmouth. On the third day, guests can opt for a visit to the wellness suite, or enjoy a lie-in followed by brunch. The train will make a stop in Machynlleth. "Machynlleth is a hub of creativity, sustainability, and exceptional cuisine. Our Concierge's curated black book of excursions offers a range of active pursuits such as clay pigeon shooting," the itinerary details. Lunch will be served while travelling through Montgomeryshire, passing Welshpool before crossing the border into Shropshire. The journey continues through the Midlands, concluding at Moreton-in-Marsh. The luxurious Britannic Explorer will then make its way to England, where it will stop for an "exclusive party" at The Fox in Oddington, a venue owned by Daylesford farm shop. Here, guests will indulge in traditional British fare such as Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, accompanied by local ales and artisan liqueurs. They'll even get to learn the art of pouring the perfect pint. The final day of the journey begins with breakfast as the train travels through picturesque Oxfordshire, ultimately returning to London in the early morning. The three-night Welsh excursions are scheduled to take place on select dates. Following a winter hiatus, the routes will resume in March 2026. The Britannic Explorer is set to launch in July 2025, offering luxury accommodations starting from £11,000 for a double cabin. This price includes a 3-night itinerary, excursions, meals, wine, and other beverages onboard.
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Wales Online
Train coming to Wales has an onboard spa, Michelin-star chef, beds and £11k tickets
Train coming to Wales has an onboard spa, Michelin-star chef, beds and £11k tickets You can have a massage before putting on a dinner jacket and enjoying a world-class meal The Britannic Explorer will travel through Wales this summer, including the observation car (Image: Belmond ) For a train ticket with a fare of £11,000 per couple, you'd expect the world, and a luxury travel says it will deliver just that. Luxury brand Belmond will debut The Britannic Explorer for a three night journey through Wales this year. Anyone boarding the Britannic Explorer is advised to not only pack walking shoes but a dinner jacket or cocktail dress. It is the first luxury sleeper train to operate in England and Wales and even includes an onboard spa. Guests will sleep in incredible looking suites, tuck into world-class dining with menus drawn up by a Michelin-star chef, and enjoy excursions including hikes in the Welsh countryside, a luxury pub and clay pigeon shooting. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here Prices start at £11,000, based on a double cabin for three nights, including excursions, meals, wine and alcoholic beverages on board. The three night route through Wales will travel from London Victoria with stops in Llandrindod Wells and Machynlleth, via Haverfordwest, Porthmadog and Barmouth, before returning to London via the Cotswolds. The onboard spa (Image: Belmond ) Article continues below The itinerary says that on day one people will be checked in before having an afternoon tea, crafted by Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan which includes Welsh teacakes and Bara Brith. On day two, people will arrive in Pembrokeshire, they will leave the train at Llandrindod Wells for a guided hike including lavender fields, a pond dip or sauna. They will rejoin the train to travel the Heart of Wales line, going through Carmarthenshire and Powys into Eryri National Park. "Highlights on the Wales route include a picnic- style lunch featuring delights like rarebit and leek tart," the company say. "Each dining experience onboard will reflect the landscape outside the train's windows, using the freshest local ingredients to create an immersive culinary journey that celebrates the diverse flavours and stories of England and Wales." Dinner will be a "celebration of seasonal British fine dining, perfectly paired with an enchanting entertainment line up" with the night spent near Barmouth. One of the Grand Suites onboard (Image: Belmond ) On day three, guests are offered a trip to the wellness suite, or lie-in followed by brunch. They will stop in Machynlleth. "Machynlleth is a hub of creativity, sustainability, and exceptional cuisine. Our Concierge's curated black book of excursions offers a range of active pursuits such as clay pigeon shooting," the itinerary reads. They will eat lunch while travelling through Montgomeryshire, passing Welshpool before crossing the border into Shropshire. Wind down through the Midlands to reach Moreton-in-Marsh. The bar on The Britannic Explorer (Image: Belmond ) From there, they will go to England, where the first stop is for an "exclusive party" in The Fox in Oddington, owned by Daylesford farm shop and will eat Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, local ales and artisan liqueurs, and be taught how to pour a pint. The final day involves breakfast as they travel through Oxfordshire, arriving back in London in the early morning. The dates the three-night journeys are taking place in Wales are: July 21 August 4 August 18 August 25 September 1 September 15 September 22 September 29 October 20 November 10 Article continues below Routes will then pause for the winter period and continue in March 2026. The Britannic Explorer will debut in July 2025. Luxury accommodation onboard starts from £11,000 based on a double cabin. This includes a 3-night itinerary, excursions, meals, wine and alcoholic beverages on board.
