All You Want to Know
About British Pullman

The British Pullman by Belmond is England's finest luxury day train, operating from London Victoria Station across England and Wales. Its beautifully restored 1920s Pullman carriages — featuring intricate marquetry, authentic art deco fixtures and liveried stewards — form the stage for an ever-evolving programme of day excursions to historic country houses, racecourses, wineries, cathedral cities and beyond.

The British Pullman operates an extensive calendar of day journeys, including the Garden of England dining round-trip through Kent, steam-hauled Golden Age of Travel departures, the ever-popular Murder Mystery Lunch, and destination excursions to Historic Bath, Chatsworth House, Highclere Castle (the real-life Downton Abbey), Blenheim Palace or Oxford, Goodwood Revival, Royal Ascot, the Grand National, and multiple English wineries. Festive departures include Christmas Lunch, Canterbury Christmas Carols, Bath at Christmas and a New Year's Eve Gala Dinner. All journeys are single-day round trips — there are no overnight stays.

All British Pullman journeys are day trips with no overnight component. Shorter dining excursions typically run around four to five hours (for example, the Garden of England departs at 11:15 and returns at 16:10), while full-day destination journeys such as Historic Bath or Chatsworth House span roughly ten to twelve hours, departing in the morning and returning by early evening.

Prices start from £435 per person for the Garden of England dining excursion, with most day journeys ranging from around £500 to £695 per person. Flagship event departures such as Royal Ascot (from £750) and the Grand National (from £940) reflect the inclusion of event admission and hospitality. All prices vary by journey and season — final pricing should be confirmed with Palace Trains, as fares are per person and not a fixed all-in rate.

Most British Pullman fares include a multi-course meal (brunch, lunch or dinner depending on the journey), champagne and wine, and the services of liveried stewards throughout. Destination excursions — such as Highclere Castle, Chatsworth or the Goodwood Revival — additionally include coach transfers and site admission. Exact inclusions vary by journey; Palace Trains will confirm precisely what is covered for your chosen departure.

The British Pullman is a day train and does not offer overnight accommodation. Guests travel in the iconic original Pullman carriages with traditional armchair seating at tables set for dining, dressed with white linen, fine glassware and silverware. Each carriage has its own individual character, with distinctive marquetry panels and art deco detailing throughout.

The British Pullman currently runs from July through December, with 52 upcoming departures covering a wide variety of journeys. Departures are available across July, August, September, October, November and December, with the festive season particularly well served by Christmas Lunch and carol departures. For the most up-to-date schedule, see the departure table on the British Pullman page or contact Palace Trains directly.

The British Pullman is operated by Belmond, the world-renowned luxury travel company, and shares its heritage with the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express — the two trains are sister services. What sets the British Pullman apart is its fleet of original 1920s carriages, painstakingly restored to their pre-war splendour, combined with a programme of curated excursions that change with the seasons and the British social calendar. Occasionally the train is steam-hauled, adding an extra layer of golden-age magic.

Yes — the British Pullman is available for private charter for groups of any size, offering bespoke menus, on-board entertainment and access to destinations throughout Great Britain. Private charters are ideal for corporate events, celebrations or weddings. Contact Palace Trains to discuss options: toll-free 1-800-724-5120, international/WhatsApp +1-786-408-0610, or travel@palacetours.com.

Beyond the fine dining that anchors every journey, standout experiences include the steam-hauled Golden Age of Travel departure, the theatrical Murder Mystery Lunch (where a whodunit plays out over five courses), a private guided tour of Highclere Castle with access to the Egyptian Exhibition, and vineyard visits to celebrated English wineries such as Nyetimber, Gusbourne and Balfour. The New Year's Eve Gala Dinner in black-tie is among the most sought-after departures of the year.

You can check availability and book through Palace Trains — call toll-free 1-800-724-5120 (US), dial +1-786-408-0610 (international or WhatsApp), or email travel@palacetours.com. The full departure table on the British Pullman page lists all upcoming dates; availability on popular departures such as Royal Ascot and the Grand National is limited, so early booking is strongly recommended.