Belmond has teased Celia, a forthcoming private dining carriage for the British Pullman train designed by filmmaker Baz Luhrmann. Jenny Southan reports

Belmond has revealed sketches for a new private dining carriage called Celia for the British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England. Designed by filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin, the carriage will launch in early summer 2026 as an exclusive venue for private dining and events on board the historic train.

Celia is housed within an original Pullman carriage dating from 1932 and has been redesigned to create a self-contained entertainment space featuring a cocktail bar, lounge and dining area. The carriage can host up to 12 guests and will operate as a private venue within the train, complete with dedicated stewards and customised dining experiences.

Prices for exclusive use of the Celia carriage start from £15,000 and will include transfers within Greater London.

The concept draws inspiration from London’s 1930s theatre and cinema culture, combined with references to William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The design narrative centres on a fictional character named Celia, imagined by Luhrmann as a West End actress who received her own Pullman carriage after performing the role of Titania, Queen of the Fairies.

Guests travelling in the carriage will be able to host private celebrations ranging from dinners and cocktail gatherings to performances and dancing. The space can be adapted for different events during a journey, allowing the dining area to transform into an entertainment venue as the train travels through the British countryside.

Celia will depart from London Victoria station as part of the British Pullman’s existing itineraries, which include day trips and themed journeys across England. Passengers booking the carriage will have the option to customise both their onboard experience and activities during the journey.

Food and beverage service will be tailored to each group. On request, a private chef will create menus using seasonal British ingredients, turning the carriage into what Belmond describes as a “private dining room on rails”.

The interiors combine theatrical elements with traditional craftsmanship. According to details in the press materials, the design incorporates marquetry panels decorated with floral motifs, velvet-upholstered seating and parquet wood flooring. Rich colours including greens, reds, purples and yellows reference the British countryside and theatrical stage sets.

Different areas of the carriage are separated by theatre-style curtains, creating smaller spaces within the interior and reinforcing the concept of the carriage as a stage where guests can create their own experiences. The powder room features hand-painted walls and a mosaic ceiling decorated with floral and mystical motifs.

The project also involved several British artisans and manufacturers. Catherine Martin worked with marquetry specialists Dunn & Son, furniture designer Bill Cleyndert and glass studio Tony Sandles Bespoke Glass. Embroidery studio Hand and Lock and interiors firm JK Interiors also contributed to the design.

Tableware and service items were developed with established British brands. Duchess China produced fine bone china for the carriage, while David Mellor designed the cutlery and Tom Dixon supplied the glassware.

Luhrmann says: “For Catherine and I, creating Celia was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing us to push the boundaries of creativity, luxury, and uniqueness. Stepping inside the carriage is like being transported into another world, and one in which guests are invited to become part of the story. Celia, at its heart, is a magical mystery tour – a travelling dining experience for friends or an intimate celebration, filled with food, music, wine, laughter, and performance.”

Martin adds: “Celia gives travellers the rare opportunity to inhabit the nostalgia of another era. The carriage offers the ultimate luxury — the time and space to truly connect with the journey itself – and it allows the mind to decelerate, opening the possibility of deeper connection not only to oneself and to others, but also to new cultures, new perspectives, and different ways of seeing the world.”

The British Pullman train operates from February to December and features restored carriages from the 1920s and 1930s. Journeys depart from London Victoria and include day trips to destinations such as Oxford, Canterbury and Bath, as well as themed experiences including champagne afternoon tea and murder mystery dining events.

The addition of Celia expands Belmond’s approach to designing distinctive travel experiences in collaboration with creative figures. The British Pullman already features the Cygnus carriage designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson, combining historic railway heritage with contemporary design.