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This new luxury sleeper train is the most stylish way to travel across the UK

Elizabeth Whitehead
This luxury train showcases England like you’ve never seen it before.

The Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, is the new sleeper train redefining luxury travel in the UK. Set to launch in July, it will showcase the UK’s lesser-known, yet breathtaking landscapes such as Cornwall, Wales and the Lake District.

This new addition to the Belmond fleet complements the rugged Scottish routes of the Royal Scotsman and the day excursions offered by The British Pullman (including its unique murder mystery trips!)

A cabin onboard the luxurious Britannic Explorer.

Embracing the old-world romance, the Britannic Explorer is reviving a Golden era of the rail travel with its luxurious design, onboard three-Michelin-star chef  (Simon Rogan, one of the UK’s most lauded culinary talents) and decadent wellness spa. On these journeys, passengers don suits and cocktail dresses for meals inspired by the landscapes they are traversing.

Watch the scenery roll past as you dine on a menu curated by a three-Michelin-starred chef, Simon Rogan.

Guests clink glasses in the vintage-style observation car at the rear, taking in scenic views as they travel in supreme comfort. Or simply watch the scenery stream by from the luxurious interior of their cabin. The Britannic Explorer promises a journey that’s as luxurious as it is scenic, reviving the sophisticated spirit of classic train travel for those eager to explore England’s hidden gems. Prices for this once-in-a-lifetime experience start at £6300 per passenger.

Here’s what we know about the itineraries so far:

Where does The Britannic Explorer go?

There are currently three different itineraries, all departing from London.

Cornwall

The Britannic Explorer will travel to the rugged coasts of Cornwall. (Image: Unsplash/Piotr Guzik)

Cornwall on the south-west coast of England is known for its rugged coastline, sandy beaches and picturesque moorlands. Dubbed the ‘English Riviera’, the region is known for it’s charming seaside towns and resorts. The Britannic Explorer‘s three-day itinerary ferries passengers along the Cornish coast in luxury, taking in sea views before stopping in a dazzling array of seaside towns for excursions such as private gallery tours, exclusive boat tours, guided hikes and local wine tastings.

Wales

Snowdonia National Park
The picturesque Snowdonia National Park. (Image: Getty/Schroptschop)

At the beginning of 2025, International Traveller dubbed Wales a must-visit destination for the year ahead, owing in part to its largely untapped scenery. The Britannic Explorer takes passengers right into the heart of Wales (or ‘Cymru’ as it’s known to locals), taking in the incomparable beauty of Snowdonia National Park and quaint, creative towns like Machynlleth. The journey is bookended by a sumptuous lunch onboard on the final day, accompanied by the beauty of the Cotswolds as the train heads back to London.

The Lake District

Many of England’s most celebrated literary figures emerged from the Lake District. (Image: Getty/alex_west)

Some of England’s most celebrated writers and poets, such as William Wordsworth, John Ruskin, and Beatrix Potter, hailed from the Lake District in the country’s far north. This region, arguably one of the most idyllic in all of Europe, inspired their romantic sensibilities with its lush green hills, quaint stone cottages and shimmering lakes. The Britannic Explorer offers passengers a chance to immerse themselves in these very landscapes. The journey includes an excursion to the Victorian mansion where Beatrix Potter spent her summers, allowing guests to witness the breathtaking scenery both from the comfort of the train and through a well-curated off-train itinerary.

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Elizabeth Whitehead

Elizabeth Whitehead

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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Continue
    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

    woman hiking around queenstown new zealand
    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

    This new luxury sleeper train is the stylish way to travel the UK