Cornwall & Wales aboard The Britannic Explorer

Step aboard the Britannic Explorer at London Victoria, where the promise of an extraordinary journey awaits. Departing in the soft afternoon light, explore the train’s elegant carriages, including the sanctuary of your private cabin. As London recedes, England’s enchanting western countryside unfurls beyond your window. Settle into the dining carriage and savour Chef Simon Rogan’s Cornish Afternoon Tea, crafted with the finest ingredients from Cornwall’s larder – a true taste of British tradition, down to the spirited debate of jam or cream first.

Perhaps the Wellness Suite invites you to unwind, or the Bar tempts you with cocktails inspired by native botanicals as the train glides through the North Wessex Downs and Somerset’s storied market towns. By twilight you’ll arrive at the West Somerset Railway, a heritage track offering spectacular countryside and coastal vistas. After a masterful dinner by Chef Rogan and perhaps some music and gin in the Observation Car, retreat to your suite and drift into a peaceful slumber.

Included Meals Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Overnight Penzance View All

Mornings aboard the Britannic Explorer are yours to savour. Start the day at your own pace – a luxurious lie-in followed by brunch in the dining car, or a revitalising visit to the serene Wellness Suite. As the train glides along Devon’s stunning southern coast, you’ll journey along the famed Riviera Line, where sweeping sea views unfold past charming towns like Teignmouth. Skirting the rugged beauty of Dartmoor en-route to Plymouth, the train then enters Cornwall – Kernow in the local tongue. The journey towards Penzance in west Cornwall is equally captivating, with the luminous Cornish seas glistening as you pass through St Austell and Truro.

By early afternoon, we arrive in south Cornwall. After lunch, disembark at St Erth to independently explore the artistic haven of St Ives with access to the Tate Museum and Barbara Hepworth house, or continue to Penzance for a guided tour of the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens with a private wine tasting overlooking St Michael’s Mount. In the evening, rejoin the train for a dinner celebrating Britain’s seasonal bounty, followed by an evening of curated entertainment.

Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Cornwall View All

After a delightful breakfast, immerse yourself in the timeless allure of south Cornwall’s Lostwithiel area. Choose between a boat tour from the picturesque seaside town of Fowey, or opt for a visit to the Colwith Distillery for a tour and tasting with the option to curate your own flavoured bottle of vodka or gin.

As evening descends, re-board the train – your holiday home away from home – for a picturesque journey to Somerset, arriving in the enchanting town of Bruton. Here, enjoy an after-hours private tour of the international art gallery, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, complete with a drinks and canapés reception in Oudolf Field, an idyllic meadow designed by Piet Oudolf. The day culminates in an exclusive dinner at Da Costa, with dishes inspired by the Veneto region of Northern Italy and created using the finest Somerset produce. As the evening draws to a close, the train rests on the serene East Somerset Railway, promising a night of undisturbed sleep.

Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Cornwall View All

Savour breakfast as we depart the tranquil East Somerset Railway, arriving at London Victoria in the early morning. A transfer will be waiting to take you to The Cadogan, a Belmond hotel in London, where you can enjoy an three-course lunch with wine. Should you prefer, you are free to explore the sights of London independently.

We depart London once more in the afternoon, commencing our journey to Wales with another thoughtfully curated afternoon tea featuring delightful Welsh teacakes and traditional bara brith fruit cake. While you eat, golden hour bathes the patchwork tapestry of the Cotswolds in a warm, enchanting glow outside your window. After a masterfully curated dinner by Chef Rogan, retreat to your suite, where you can drift into a peaceful slumber.

Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Cotswolds View All

As the sun rises and illuminates the breathtaking Pembrokeshire coastline, look ahead to a day filled with exploration of Wales’s scenic vistas and valleys. After a leisurely breakfast, disembark at Llandrindod Wells, where you can choose between two excursions: embark on a guided hike through the tranquil valleys of the remote Welsh heartlands, or enjoy a visit to a spectacular Welsh lavender farm, where you can take a dip in the pond, recharge in the sauna or simply relax by the log fire.

Rejoin the train as we continue our journey along the enchanting Heart of Wales Line, which gracefully winds through the rural uplands of Carmarthenshire and Powys. Travelling northward into Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), prepare to be mesmerised by the dramatic transformation of landscapes. As night falls, our overnight stabling point for the evening is near the seaside town of Barmouth.

Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Pembrokshire View All

Spend a leisurely morning aboard the train, indulging in a wellness ritual or enjoying a blissful lie-in, followed by a sumptuous brunch. With a freshly made mimosa in hand, take in the passing scenery from the expansive windows of the Observation Car. We soon arrive in the vibrant town of Machynlleth, nestled at the southern edge of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) and renowned for its Museum of Modern Art. Here, choose between an art class and theatre performance, or a clay pigeon shooting activity.

Back on board, lunch is served as you continue travelling through the greenery of Mid Wales and Montgomeryshire, passing Welshpool before crossing the border into Shropshire.

After dinner on board, we wind down through the Midlands to reach Moreton-in-Marsh, an idyllic market town celebrated for its charming “chocolate box” cottages. Disembark for an exclusive party in a quintessential Cotswolds pub, The Fox in Oddington. Recently renovated by Carole Bamford, founder of Daylesford, this honey-coloured, 16th-century pub offers tasty homemade English fare such as Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, local ales and artisan liqueurs, as well as the chance to learn the art of pouring the perfect pint.

Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Shropshire View All

Savour a farewell breakfast as we journey through the picturesque landscapes of Oxfordshire and the enchanting Chilterns. As you reflect on the unforgettable memories from your breathtaking exploration of the United Kingdom, we gracefully arrive at London Victoria in the soft light of early morning.

Included Meals Breakfast