Britannic Explorer: Cornwall & Wales (Tour code: 14887)

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. Enjoy a masterfully curated dinner by Chef Rogan, and then, in the Observation Car, savour music and the warmth of newfound friends over small-batch gin. As the evening concludes, retreat to your suite and drift into a peaceful slumber.

Somerset

Mornings aboard the Britannic Explorer are yours to savour. Start the day at your own pace – a tranquil first-light experience on the platform, 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 ocean vistas 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 is equally captivating, with the luminous Cornish seas glistening as you pass through St Austell and Truro.

By early afternoon, you'll arrive in southern 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.

St Michael’s Mount

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.

Fowey

Savour breakfast as you 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 a three-course lunch with wine. Should you prefer, you are free to explore the sights of London independently.

In the afternoon, depart London - commencing the 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.

Cotswold

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 your journey continues 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, the overnight stabling point for the evening is near the seaside town of Barmouth.

Pembrokeshire coastline

Enjoy breakfast as the train travels south to Machynlleth, at the edge of Eryri National Park. Relax in the Observation Car crossing Barmouth Bridge before choosing your excursion. Visit Dyfi Wildlife Trust for private guided birdwatching, or head to the Dovey Valley for clay shooting with a Team GB instructor at Dovey Shooting Ground, with catered lunch overlooking the hills.

Back on board, journey through Mid Wales and Shropshire before reaching Kingham. After dinner, disembark enjoy a private party at The Fox in Oddington inn. Recently restored by Carole Bamford of Daylesford, this 16th-century inn celebrates local producers with classic English fare, local ales, artisan liqueurs, and lessons in pouring pints.

Cotswolds

Savour a farewell breakfast as the train travels 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, the train gracefully arrives at London Victoria in the soft light of early morning.