The luxury train has faced several setbacks since launching (Picture: Belmond)
After forking out thousands for a luxury three-day jaunt from London to the Lake District,passengers on board Belmond’s Britannic Explorer got a bit of a shock.
Instead of sitting back to watch the English countryside pass by as they sipped expertly crafted cocktails and tucked into Michelin Star food,the UK’s ‘most expensive’ sleeper train ground to a halt.
Just a few hours after it had begun,the trip (which cost an eye-watering £11,000 for two people) ended abruptly at Fenny Stratford in Milton Keynes… not exactly the glamorous getaway guests would have spent months envisioning.
It’s the third time since July that a journey on the train has been called off,and it follows complaints about water supply to rooms and the quality of food on the few trips that have been successful.
The train has now reportedly been taken out of service while an investigation occurs and the whole situation has been branded ‘bizarre’ by those following the saga online.
Many have been left intrigued by the mystery of it all and it’s certainly hard not to wonder what on Earth is going on,especially given that Belmond trains have long had a reputation for incredibly high standards.
Here’s everything you need to know…
The sleeper train costs at least £11,000 for two people (Picture: DAVE BENETT)
For those unfamiliar with the train,the Britannic Explorer (informally known as Bex),is a revamped version of the Grand Hibernian train,which originally operated by Belmond between 2016 and 2021 in Ireland.
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 produce 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.’
The train has various suites,dining spaces and bars as well as a spa (Picture: Belmond)
If all of this isn’t relaxing enough,the train also boasts an on-board spa,where passengers can enjoy a massage while passing through the English countryside.
At present Belmond offers three and six-night journeys from London on the Belmond Explorer to destinations such as Wales,Cornwall and the Lake District,with prices starting from £11,600 for a twin suite for two (£5,800 per person) and rising to as much as £28,200 for a grand suite for two,with a private butler.
These prices include daily meals on the train as well as a selection of beverages (including alcoholic drinks). There’s also onboard entertainment and outdoor experiences,including sightseeing excursions.
The prices include food and a range of drinks onboard (Picture: Belmond)
The Britannic Explorer was first announced back in 2022,with a look at the train’s interiors being given in November 2024.
Since then,it has encountered several issues,with its inaugural trip at the start of July 2025 being cancelled due to ‘maintenance issues’ and the rescheduled trip at the end of July also getting cancelled.
Bex finally made its maiden voyage at the end of August,with a trip from London to Cornwall and all seemed to be going well.
However,the second trip,which travelled from London to Wales at the start of September was met with criticism,with a travel writer for The Telegraph claiming there were water supply problems and complaints about the food not meeting expectations.
Chef Simon Rogan has since apologised for the food,claiming they were ‘not fully ready’ and the ‘kitchen was not properly working’,but he vowed they would ‘turn this around’ on future journeys.
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But it seems things aren’t on the up just yet,after the most recent journey to the Lake District on September 26 was cancelled. The train made it as far as Fenny Stratford near Milton Keynes,before it was stopped due to a ‘new issue’ and the journey had to be abandoned completely.
A spokesperson for Belmond has since confirmed that the train has had to be taken out of service for the time being as the investigate further.
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