Britain's most luxurious new train has been cancelled (again)
The new train – which costs from £11,000 per double cabin for a three-day trip – had been due to journey to Wales via the west of England and the Cotswolds, departing from London Victoria at 3.45pm today.
But late last night passengers were informed that 'with a heavy heart' the company had decided to cancel the journey.
Train cancellations and severe delays? In Britain? Well, yes, even for this most well-heeled operator – running a trip which, ironically, was designed to 'showcase the very best' of modern England and Wales.
No immediate reasons were given for the latest setback, but the scrapping of the trip to Wales follows a similar decision to cancel what had originally been planned as the launch of the train: a three-day journey to Cornwall scheduled to depart on July 4.
At that time, it was said that the train needed further maintenance checks before being cleared for departure, with the date of the inaugural journey put back to July 21 and the route changed to the Welsh itinerary.
Of the original delay, a company spokesman said: 'The adjustment to the schedule was due to final refinements being made to ensure the train operates at the highest possible standard.'
The company had hoped that the maintenance issues with the train would have been smoothed out in time for the Wales departure but in the end pulled the plug on it with just hours to go.
'This decision was not taken lightly,' the email to passengers late Sunday night stated. 'We deeply regret any inconvenience caused.'
At the time of the first cancelled trip, Belmond said passengers were offered a full refund 'including associated travel costs'.
With passengers expected to be drawn from, in addition to Britain, a range of countries in Europe, Asia and North America, the cancellation costs could be high.
Over the past 40 years, Belmond has acquired a well-earned reputation for providing train journeys at the most luxurious end of the spectrum, particularly with its flagship Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE).
This reputation was cemented in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards when the company – which is owned by the French luxury goods giant LVMH – was named best rail holiday company.
In addition to the VSOE, Belmond operates the Eastern & Oriental Express in Malaysia, the Hiram Bingham and Andean Explorer in Peru and the Royal Scotsman in Scotland.
What the Britannic Explorer will offer (when it finally leaves the station)
Feeding on the growth in demand for slower, more mindful but also extremely luxurious train travel, the company decided to branch out this year with a new train – the Britannic Explorer – which for the first time would offer this kind of top-end experience on routes in England and Wales.
Three routes were devised aimed at celebrating some of the countries' most scenic regions: Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) in Wales; the Cornish Riviera; and the Lake District (including the glorious stretch of track between Settle and Carlisle).
The train itself represents a brand new departure, a totally revamped version of the Grand Hibernian train operated by Belmond in Ireland between 2016 and 2021.
Rather than recreating the classic look and feel of the Hercule Poirot-style VSOE, the new train, largely a creation of the London-based Albion Nord designers, combines a modern feel with vintage elements drawing on the natural world and the creative forces (and materials) of the areas it travels through.
The aim has been to create a feeling of 'contemporary nostalgia' in expansive suites and grand suites (all with private bathroom) and dining spaces inspired by the herbs and flowers used in British cooking. The meals themselves have been masterminded by Michelin-accoladed British chef Simon Rogan drawing heavily on his farm-to-fork culinary ethos and reflecting local specialities and artisan suppliers en route.
The social hub of the train is the Observation Car, an expansive, stylish space which comes complete with armchairs, banquettes and a bar backlit with amber glass discs inspired by the 'timeless charm of Victorian apothecaries'.
Off-train, the trips have been designed to incorporate visits to galleries, rugged hikes and wild swims, yoga sessions by the sea and a range of gastronomic experiences coupled with the opportunity to learn how to pull a pint in a Cotswolds pub.
'We're offering some unique experiences, things people can't do themselves just driving up to these places,' said Gary Franklin, Belmond's senior vice-president, trains & cruises. 'We are showcasing a modern England with incredible artisans, artists and produce.'
A modern England with severe train delays too...
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