Belmond's Britannic Explorer train to feature Wildsmith spa
The new Britannic Explorer train by Belmond has partnered with Wildsmith to offer wellness treatments inspired by the landscapes encountered during its journey through Britain. Olivia Palamountain reports
The first spa-on-rails in England and Wales will launch in July 2025 when the Britannic Explorer, a Belmond Train, debuts with an exclusive Wellness Suite in partnership with British wellbeing brand Wildsmith. (Belmond's Royal Scotsman train also has a spa and tours around Scotland.)
The innovative spa facility will be housed in one of the train's ten carriages, offering passengers a unique opportunity to experience luxury wellness treatments while travelling through England and Wales.
Wildsmith has created a bespoke treatment menu centred on five exclusive experiences inspired by the passing landscapes, with a focus on mindfulness, grounding techniques and personalised reflection. The highlight is a "Signature Circadian Rhythm Reset" treatment that draws inspiration from the lifecycle of trees and the body's natural rhythms. Passengers can choose from three distinct treatments tailored to different times of day: a morning revitalising session, a midday purifying session, and a calming evening ritual.
The partnership represents a new frontier in luxury train travel, combining the nostalgic elegance of rail journeys with contemporary wellness experiences.Britannic Explorer will commence operations in July 2025, with luxury accommodation starting from £11,000 based on a double cabin. This includes a three-night itinerary, excursions, meals, wine and alcoholic beverages onboard. The Wellness Suite will be available for booking by all passengers on each journey.
Belmond, part of the LVMH luxury group, already operates several iconic luxury trains including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and the Royal Scotsman. The addition of the Britannic Explorer with its innovative wellness offering further strengthens the company's position in the luxury train market.