UK's 'most expensive' train cancelled for the second time this month
Ultra-luxury train operator Belmond has cancelled its inaugural UK journey for the second time this month.
The Britannic Explorer, a 'pioneering new sleeper train', was due to depart from London Victoria yesterday (Monday, July 21) at 3.45pm, on a scenic journey to Wales through the west of England and the Cotswolds.
However, the night before, passengers were informed that the trip had been cancelled.
This isn't the first time the train dubbed 'The New British Icon' has run into problems.
On July 4, a three-day journey to Cornwall – which was supposed to be the launch – was also cancelled.
Sign up to The Getaway newsletter
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
While it's not clear why, Belmond did reveal that all passengers received a refund.
Associated travel costs were also reimbursed, alongside assistance in rebooking a new journey. Which, for many, was meant to be yesterday.
Ticketholders were expected to be drawn from across Europe, as well as Asia and North America.
A spokesperson told Metro that, after careful consideration, they had made the 'difficult decision' to postpone the inaugural journey, originally scheduled for July 21st, to a later date this summer.
They revealed that during the routine pre-trip protocol checks over the weekend, they encountered unforeseen technical issues related to the door mechanism.
Despite the 'dedicated efforts' of Belmond's engineering team, the issue could not be resolved in time.
'As a result, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel the trip. As always, guest welfare and reliability of our train operations remain paramount.'
The spokesperson said affected guests were once again offered a full refund, along with a complimentary future journey aboard the Britannic Explorer in 2025 or 2026.
Related expenses incurred as a result of the cancellation will also be covered by the company.
'Our team worked closely with each guest to arrange immediate alternative accommodation where needed,' they concluded.
The Britannic Explorer has been designed with contemporary nostalgia in mind (Picture: Getty Images)
So, as passengers wait for news about the next trip, here's everything we know about the luxury locomotive.
How much does the Britannic Explorer cost?
Travellers can choose between three and six-night journeys, both of which come at eyewatering cost.
For example, a three-night trip from London to Wales, travelling through Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) to the Pembrokeshire coast, starts from £6,300 per passenger. This is based on a Twin Suite.
A six-night journey through Welsh and Cornish landscapes starts from £12,600 per passenger, based on the same suite.
And for the top-class Grand Suite, it's a staggering £61,200 for the full six nights.
What can passengers expect on the sleeper train?
The Grand Suites can cost over £60,000 (Picture: Getty Images)
The train is a revamped version of the Grand Hibernian train, which originally operated by Belmond between 2016 and 2021 in Ireland.
Guided by the prices, travellers can expect to live in the lap of luxury for the duration of their trip.
According to the website, the train is 'lavish yet laid-back,' and offers the 'best of British contemporary design, innovative cuisine and wellness.'
The train has two dining cars: Malva and Samphire, which are inspired by the English meadow. The menu has been curated by British Michelin star chef, Simon Rogan, and includes seasonal menus and locally-sourced ingredients.
There's also a botanical-inspired bar in the Observation Car serving cocktails and craft beer. It's described on the website as the 'stylish social epicentre.'
Of course, there's also an on-board spa, where passengers can enjoy a massage while passing through the English countryside.
As for the accommodation, there are three 9.6m² Grand Suites available that come with a personal butler.
Private arrival and departure transfers are also part of this package, alongside an en-suite bathroom with a marble basin and shower cubicle.
Grand Suites start from £15,300 per person.
Double and Twin Suites can be purchased, too. These start from £6,300 and £5,200, respectively.
Though a private butler is out of the question here, passengers can marvel at signed art by English visual artist and designer Luke Edward Hall.
Travellers will enjoy selected routes through Cornwall, Wales, the Costwolds and the Lake District (Picture: Belmond)
What journeys are available on the Britannic Explorer?
Have lots of cash to splash? The Britannic Explorer offers a series of journeys curated to 'experience the beauty and diversity of England and Wales.'
These include the aforementioned three nights in Wales, three nights in the Lake District, and three nights in Cornwall.
The longer six-night journeys travel through Wales and Cornwall, or the Lake District and Wales.
Passengers won't be stuck indoors the whole time, either. Ticket prices also include off-train activities, all of which showcase the local culture of each region.
From wild swims and yoga sessions in Cornwall to mastering the art of pint pulling in the Cotwolds, there are also galleries and rugged hikes on the agenda, too.
When it eventually sets off, of course.
Arrow MORE: Airline founded by UK millionaire 'parks' only plane — after two return flights
Arrow MORE: London's Oyster card prices to nearly double – full list of affected cards
Arrow MORE: 'First-of-its-kind' Eurostar-style train to directly connect UK with Berlin and two more cities
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
5 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
The Cawdor Hotel, Llandeilo, is our pub of the week
The Cawdor, set in the heart of historic Llandeilo, has been welcoming visitors since 1765. Recently refurbished, the establishment combines the heritage and charm of its original Georgian design with modern comforts. Notably, The Cawdor was recognised as one of the top 100 best hotels in the UK by Sunday Times Travel. Its bright red exterior is hard to miss, standing out in the picturesque market town. (Image: Supplied) The Cawdor's interior offers a mix of old-world charm and modern comfort, featuring inviting sofas, an open fire, and a bar filled with leather seating and vintage photographs. The food served at The Cawdor is "whenever possible, Welsh and in season," prepared fresh daily. The dining experience is flexible, with meals served in the dining room, the bar, or outside in the courtyard, weather permitting. (Image: Supplied) The Cawdor kitchen prides itself on using fresh seasonal produce sourced from trusted local suppliers. Their focus is on flavour and generosity, with their mouth-watering homemade desserts and bakes being a highlight. The slow braised shin of Welsh beef cottage pie is a chef favourite, and the Cawdor old-fashioned sticky toffee pudding is a must-try. The Cawdor's a la carte menu is available on Friday and Saturday evenings, alongside a brunch and afternoon tea service on selected days. The Cawdor isn't just a pub and hotel. It also boasts 24 comfortable and individually furnished bedrooms, two penthouse apartments, and a lovingly restored former chapel, Ty Horeb, which provides a superb setting for meetings, parties, and wedding celebrations. The Cawdor continues to be a beloved spot in Llandeilo, serving quality food and drink, offering welcoming accommodation, and being a historic landmark in the town. Whether you're a local, a visitor to the market town, or simply a fan of good food and drink, The Cawdor has something for everyone. To find out more about the pub, visit Do you have a favourite Carmarthenshire pub, bar, or restaurant that you think deserves to be our Pub of the Week? Let us know in the comments below.
Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Is Rhodes' Old Town a tourist trap or medieval paradise?
So when The Ixian Grand & All Suites invited me to explore this beautiful part of the world, I was thrilled. Before visiting Old Town I had spent 3 amazing days in Rhodes. The food, hotel staff, suite and pool had combined to create the perfect Dodecanese marriage, but I still had a hunger for more. Well two hungers to be precise, more food and also culture. Is Greece still the place to go for the best holiday? Here's my salty experience — Matt Evans (@MTEvans1995) July 11, 2025 First impressions of the Old Town of Rhodes: The Old Town of Rhodes has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and it is visited by thousands of travellers every year. Palace of the Grand Master is an awe-inspiring fortress that looms ominously over Old Town. Originally built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 14th century, it is often cited by Greek tourist boards as the definitive must-visit spot. The intricately designed back alleys and buildings are beautifully preserved and a great way to experience what life was like in the past. First impressions for me though? Well, I'd wager some folks would get bored after 15 min and others would be content to spend an entire day there. But which category did I fall under? I went to Rhodes looking for love but ended up with a goose My Old Town experience: Food was on my mind. And lots of it. Despite being thoroughly treated by The Ixian Grand & All Suites over the prior few days, I had a hunger for more. After roaming around the streets for an hour or so, I landed on the first restaurant - yes, first. A quaint tiny little Greek place tucked behind one of the cobbled streets. It was early in the day, so I fancied fish and white wine. After roaming around the streets for an hour or so, I landed on the first restaurant (Image: Newsquest) I scoured the menu and it seemed the right place for me. Plenty of different fish courses, white wine and accommodating staff who gave me a complimentary shot of Souma, then another, then another. Several locals had urged me to try the Dodecanese alternative of ouzo or raki over the previous two days. But 'proper' souma. I'll be blunt, it is essentially white spirit, as I was essentially staring at two menus by this point. A cunning ploy by the staff to be fair, as I proceeded to order the mussels and octopus, the most expensive items on the menu, but equally delicious. This was the prelude to my final Rhodes lesson. But we'll come on to that. Old Town is a bouncing, bustling, little spot brimming with, dare I say it, tourists. But in all fairness, it seems to be designed that way. The bars for example. One place has a flag for every country in the world and will set it on your table if you tell them where you're from. Genius marketing, playing on an idiot's love of country. So after I finished a pint opposite my Welsh flag, I headed to my second and final restaurant of the day for something, heavier. It was a steakhouse slap-bang in the middle of Old Town. Unlike bars and pubs, I have always held the belief there should be a different playbook for restaurants. Keep to yourself/table. This restaurant was bouncing with people from all walks of life, friends, families and a weirdo sitting alone in the middle, me. I couldn't have been in a better spot to people-watch. Just me, my T-bone steak and a glass of wine. What more could you ask for? (Image: Newsquest) But before long, Old Town was starting to get, well, old. You only need to spend a day there to sample all of its delights, or even less, personally. The downsides of Old Town: Sadly, it was at this point that the experience started to get sullied. I looked at the chuffing expensive bill and noticed I'd been charged for a couple of items I never had, so I called over the waiter and got them removed. Now I was slightly miffed. Despite that, my next recommendation awaited - the nearby village of Faliraki, as Lindos was on the complete opposite end of the island. For that, I needed a taxi. Sigh. After a 20-minute wait at a taxi rank just outside the city walls, two strangers and I were told to get in a minicab. Faliraki is 23 minutes away from Old Town, according to Google. When we got in, we were told "50 Euro for taxi", this later translated to "Everyone sharing this taxi pays 50 Euros each." 150 Euro, for a 23-minute journey. I'm not saying that every cab driver would try this, but if you're going to get a taxi, agree on a price beforehand, get a bus instead, or risk your mortgage. Rhodes, or rather, Old Town, was an incredible experience and one that I will never forget for both good and bad reasons. My hotel, The Ixian Grand & All Suites, was sensational, as were my trips out to places such as Old Town. It is, without question, stunning. An area of the world you will never likely stumble across again, with a fascinating history to back it up. But on the downside, it does have its problems. Old Town in the summer months is jam-packed with tourists which then births another problem, rip-offs. Amidst the many, many souvenir shops, bars and restaurants, you need to have your wits about you. But if you can manage that, I have no doubt the experience will be unforgettable, for the right reasons.
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
First-of-its-kind archaeological discovery found in shadow of UK castle
The quay was located at the 16th century, Grade-II listed, Island House in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, and would have been used for ships and boats to dock and load cargo or passengers just outside the town walls A team of archaeologists has made a groundbreaking discovery at the base of a medieval castle in a Welsh village, unearthing a unique quay believed to be the first of its kind. Situated at Island House in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, a 16th-century Grade-II listed building, the quay would have served as a bustling hub for ships and boats to moor and transfer goods or passengers just beyond the old town fortifications. This find could dramatically alter the historical narrative of Laugharne Castle and its environs, with dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating pinpointing the timber from the Island House restoration to the year 1437 AD. Island House Restoration Ltd embarked on this ambitious project at the start of 2020, vowing to return the edifice to its former glory before transforming it into a hotel, bar, and restaurant. The property is located a mere stone's throw from the castle, adjacent to the River Taf. In 2020, during earlier excavations, signs of an ancient watercourse were found, believed to have been a refuse channel used by both Laugharne Castle and the neighbouring township since the 12th century, reports the Express. "We knew that Island House had an interesting history, but the discovery of a quay was unexpected," said Ken Murphy, who is overseeing the excavation for Heneb, the Trust for Welsh Archaeology. "Medieval quays have already been excavated in large UK ports, such as London and Bristol. To find one in Laugharne was quite a surprise. "It makes us re-evaluate the importance of Laugharne within the trading network of the British Isles in the Middle Ages. It also emphasises the importance of sea trade in the past." The tidal inlet has long since filled with silt and now forms part of an ordinary car park in the town. Maritime traffic is believed to have abandoned attempts to navigate the waterway during the 17th century. Additional stone structures emerged during the excavation, including a substantial, prestigious hall house complete with an impressive fireplace, most likely owned by a prosperous trader. Stephen Kirkwood, director of Island House Restoration, which funded the excavation, remarked: "We are trying to find out as much as possible about the history of Island House. "The archaeological discoveries are very exciting. They will complement historical research and other investigations we have commissioned. "We have always been fascinated by Island House and took the opportunity to buy it over five years ago with the aim of making it into a small hotel. It was in very poor condition when we bought it and was in danger of falling down. "It is now safe, and the building work is progressing well. One of the things we are thinking about is how we can preserve and display the important archaeological discoveries for the enjoyment of future visitors." Excavation efforts will continue at the location, with multiple public viewing days scheduled for visitors to examine the ancient finds. Dr Carol Bell, Chair of Heneb, said: "What Ken and the Heneb team have discovered at this site is remarkable. It is easy to picture how busy this medieval quay would have been, with small boats coming and going to the quayside. "Furthermore, it underlines the importance of Laugharne as a port during this period. The discoveries add significantly not only to our understanding of Medieval Wales but also about Laugharne's place in extensive trading networks to other parts of Britain and beyond."
