Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm

Saturday 9am – 3pm

Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm | Saturday 9am – 3pm

Belmond Britannic Explorer

London to The Lake District aboard the Belmond Britannic Explorer

5/5

Departures in 2025 and 2026

3 nights' aboard the Britannic Explorer

all table d'hôte meals, all alcoholic and other beverages

all sightseeing excursions & entertainment as shown in the itinerary

Embark on a luxury 3 night / 4 day holiday departing from London Victoria

call us now on

request a quote

British Travel Award winners
Specialists in luxury rail holidays
tailor-made
just for you

Belmond Britannic Explorer – London to The Lakes

 

Holiday Highlights

2025 Departure Dates

Departing London

July

  • 11th July

August

  • 1st August 

September

  • 5th September
  • 26th September 

October

  • 31st October

November

  • 21st November

Travel on the Belmond Britannic Explorer 

Welcome aboard the Britannic Explorer, where you’ll experience a unique adventure while being immersed in the stunning scenery of the United
Kingdom. Travel through the glorious natural beauty of the Lake District, the Peak District and Oxfordshire, enjoying celebrated gastronomy and an array of excursions in the great outdoors.

This brand new luxury train consists of 8 carriages, including 2 dining cars, 1 observation car and 1 wellness suite.  Each sleeping compartment comes equipped with private bathrooms. 

Prices start from £5,750 per person, based on 2 people travelling together and sharing a Suite Double or a Suite Twin aboard the train. 

If you would prefer a more spacious and luxurious Grand Suite, prices start from £13,950 per person. 

Enquire today – availability is extremely limited.

Your Britannic Explorer Holiday Itinerary

Day 1 – London – Keighley

Mid-afternoon, board Britannic Explorer at London Victoria Station ready for your escape to the scenic North. Settle into your individually designed suite and admire the captivating details that reflect a fresh and vibrant British style. 

Enter the spirit of the occasion with a Cumbrian Afternoon Tea as you gaze at the landscapes through the window. Maybe relax even further with a treatment in the wellness suite. 

Your route takes you straight up through the heart of England, winding through Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire.
As evening falls, make your way to the bar to mingle with your fellow guests over a selection of signature cocktails. 

Then, take your seat in the sumptuous restaurant car for a meal created by chef Simon Rogan. 

The famous restaurateur and Chef Patron of three-Michelin-starred L’Enclume is a pioneer of farm-to-fork cuisine in the UK. Anticipate dishes inspired by seasonally locally sourced produce and innovative flavours. 

After some inspiring entertainment on board, retire to your suite for a peaceful night. The train stops overnight on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, a lovingly restored heritage line in the heart of Brontë country.

Day 2 – Keighley – Workington – Penrith – Appleby

Enjoy a leisurely brunch this morning as you slow down to the pace of life on board Britannic Explorer. 

Your route takes you through the spectacular landscapes of the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. You then skirt the south coast of Cumbria before travelling up the west coast where you can enjoy views out to the Irish Sea.

 
Arrive at Workington, your gateway to the Lake District, in the early afternoon. From here, take a chauffeured journey to the Lingholm Estate, a Grade II listed Victorian mansion on the edge of Derwentwater Lake, where children’s author Beatrix Potter spent her idyllic summers. Within an exclusive enclave reserved for Britannic Explorer guests, choose your adventure: a row across the lake or guided open-water swimming, a scenic hike around the fells or relaxing lawn games. 

Return to the train at Penrith and relax before enjoying another delicious dinner and evening entertainment on board. The train stays overnight on the Settle & Carlisle
line.

Day 3 - Oxfordshire

This morning, linger over breakfast on board as the train winds along the Settle & Carlisle line, regularly voted England’s most scenic rail route.

Cross the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct and traverse the breathtaking landscapes of the Peak District. Arriving in Oxfordshire, you leave the train for a short journey to Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, and the cherished manor house of Chef Patron Raymond Blanc OBE. An exquisite black-tie dinner awaits in Le Belle Époque dining
room, where you enjoy two-Michelin-starred garden-to-table cuisine.

 After an evening of refined indulgence, rejoin the Britannic Explorer for a peaceful night in The Chilterns.

Day 4 – Oxfordshire – London

Breakfast is served as the train departs for the journey back to London. After a picturesque journey through Oxfordshire, arrive at Victoria Station in the early morning to continue with your day, fully refreshed and reinvigorated.

The Brand New Belmond Britannia Explorer Train

Introducing the Britannic Explorer, a modern celebration of the tradition of touring. See Britain through new eyes aboard the first ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales. Paying homage to the Great British tradition of touring, the Britannic Explorer celebrates the art of slow travel, preserving Britain’s pioneering history in rail travel while ushering in a new era of culture, creativity, gastronomy and style. 

The Britannic Explorer will depart from London Victoria, offering three-night journeys with a choice of three evocative routes through the spectacular natural landscapes of Cornwall, The Lake District, and Wales. Guests will be invited to explore the glorious countryside of the UK, with each carefully curated excursion immersing guests in the quintessential charm of its destination and character.  

The dining experience aboard the Britannic Explorer has been designed by award-winning restaurateur Simon Rogan, a visionary leader in Britain’s farm-to-fork movement. Rogan’s menus will celebrate seasonal, sustainable ingredients, sourced locally to showcase the richness of Britain’s diverse regions. Each of the three routes will feature bespoke afternoon tea, lunch and dinner menus, highlighting the finest local specialties to ensure every meal is a true reflection of Britain’s culinary heritage.

The Bar, inspired by Victorian apothecaries, provides an elegant and convivial atmosphere where guests can savour a menu of innovative, botanically inspired cocktails, alongside a carefully curated selection of artisan gins and craft beers, highlighting the finest offerings from the UK’s independent distilleries and breweries. 

Included aboard the New Britannic Explorer Train

24-hour steward service

All meals aboard the train (Breakfast, three-course lunch, and four-course dinner including cheeseboard, coffee, tea and petits fours)

All beverages including alcoholic drinks

Entertainment on board

Experiences as per scheduled itineraries (bespoke options available, additional fees may apply)

Departure dates

2025:

Various departures from 11th July to 21st November. 

2026:

Various departures throughout 2026 – full season from April to November. Dates to be confirmed soon.

Please contact us for availability and specific departure date. 

If you require accommodation in London before or after your luxury journey, please do let us know and we can arrange this for you.

Holiday duration is 4 days

For information and booking Tel: 01347 825292 or email info@planetrail.co.uk

Call us on 01347 82 52 92 to enquire about our tailor made holidays by rail

ARTICLES

SIGN UP FOR THE PLANET RAIL NEWSLETTER

Subscribe

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Planet Rail Online Enquiry
Please enter your details below, together with your enquiry and click Send.