London by Luxury Train

London is the natural starting point for some of the world's most storied rail journeys, a city where Roman walls, medieval abbeys and gleaming glass towers stand within a few Underground stops of one another. It is a capital of contrasts: the ceremonial pomp of Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard sits alongside cutting-edge art at Tate Modern, while historic markets and centuries-old pubs give way to Michelin-starred dining rooms and buzzing street-food halls.

For rail enthusiasts, London is more than a gateway city — it is where the romance of golden-age travel begins. The elegant vintage carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express depart from London Victoria bound for Venice, Paris and beyond, while the British Pullman offers exquisite day excursions into the English countryside from the very same platform. Palace Trains' own Britannic Explorer begins its multi-day journey through Britain's landscapes here as well, making London the perfect bookend to any luxury rail itinerary.

Whether you arrive to explore the city itself or simply to board one of these celebrated trains, London rewards a few unhurried days of wandering its royal parks, riverside walks and historic quarters before — or after — you step aboard.

Buckingham Palace

The Monarch's official London residence, famous for the Changing of the Guard ceremony and, in summer, tours of the opulent State Rooms.

The Tower of London

A UNESCO World Heritage fortress on the Thames housing the Crown Jewels, centuries of royal history, and the famous Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters).

Westminster Abbey

The Gothic coronation church of British monarchs since 1066, and the final resting place of kings, queens, scientists and poets.

The British Museum

One of the world's great museums, home to the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles and treasures spanning human history, all free to enter.

Tower Bridge

The iconic Victorian bascule bridge over the Thames, with a glass-floored walkway offering dramatic views of the river and city below.

The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben

The seat of British government beside the Thames, crowned by the newly restored Elizabeth Tower and its great bell, Big Ben.

Tate Modern and the South Bank

A former power station turned world-class modern art gallery, anchoring a lively riverside stretch that includes the Globe Theatre and Borough Market.

Covent Garden

A lively piazza of street performers, boutique shops, the Royal Opera House and the historic Apple Market.

Hyde Park and Kensington Palace

Central London's largest royal park, bordering Kensington Palace and the elegant terraces of Notting Hill and South Kensington's museum quarter.

London's food scene reflects its role as one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities, ranging from time-honoured British classics to the influence of centuries of immigration. A proper Sunday roast — roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and gravy — remains a weekend institution in traditional pubs, while fish and chips wrapped and eaten by the Thames is an essential rite of passage.

No visit is complete without afternoon tea, a genteel ritual of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and delicate pastries served at grand hotels such as The Ritz or Claridge's — a tradition echoed aboard the Belmond British Pullman's own celebrated afternoon tea excursions. Markets are central to London's food culture: Borough Market near London Bridge overflows with artisan cheese, cured meats and street food, while Brick Lane in the East End is famous for its curry houses and bagel shops, a legacy of the area's Bangladeshi and Jewish communities.

Other dishes worth seeking out include pie and mash with liquor (parsley sauce), the humble but beloved Cornish pasty, and a proper full English breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage and baked beans. London's pub culture is equally essential: a pint of cask ale in a centuries-old pub is as much a part of the city's character as any monument.

• Afternoon Tea — scones, finger sandwiches and pastries, a tradition also served aboard the British Pullman
• Sunday Roast — roast meat, Yorkshire pudding and gravy, a weekly pub tradition
• Fish and Chips — battered fish and thick-cut chips, best eaten outdoors
• Pie and Mash — a classic East End working-class dish
• Borough Market fare — artisan cheeses, charcuterie and global street food