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railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

Britannic Explorer - Lake District

Four-day luxury sleeper train through Lake District from London on Britannic Explorer

Illustration of Britannic Explorer - Lake District

The Britannic Explorer, operated by Railtour Suisse, is a four-day, three-night all-inclusive luxury sleeper train that departs London Victoria and loops through the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District, and the Peak District before returning to Oxfordshire. Every night you sleep aboard in a private suite; every meal is prepared by chef Simon Rogan in the on-board restaurant car using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The itinerary weaves heritage rail lines, including the Settle & Carlisle Railway, with curated off-train experiences: a visit to Lingholm Estate, a Victorian manor house where guests can canoe or paddleboard on Derwentwater, and a farm-to-table dining experience at Rogan's regenerative farm in the Cartmel Valley. This journey suits couples seeking a luxury escape, food-and-wine enthusiasts, and history lovers drawn to England's literary and architectural heritage. The pace is unhurried, with ample time on board and leisurely station stops allowing exploration of the surrounding landscape.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of 8,260 CHF (approximately 10,290 USD) is per person in a Double or Twin Suite; Grand Suites start at 21,122 CHF
  • Optional extras such as canoeing, paddleboarding, distillery tours, and card games incur additional charges beyond the base package price
  • Three of the twelve available 2026 departures are already sold out; availability may be limited for peak summer months

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

    Day 1: London- Keighley

    In the afternoon, board the Britannic Explorer at London Victoria Station. Start with a traditional Cumbrian afternoon tea, or a treatment in the spa suite. The route runs through Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire. As dusk falls, enjoy signature cocktails in the bar, then a dinner in the restaurant car created by top chef Simon Rogan, followed by an evening entertainment programme. The train stops overnight at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, a heritage line in Brontë country.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Settle & Carlisle Railway (near Appleby)

    Day 2: Keighley - Workington - Penrith - Appleby

    Brunch on board, then the route passes through the Forest of Bowland and Yorkshire Dales National Park, along Cumbria's south coast with views of the Irish Sea, reaching Workington, gateway to the Lake District. A chauffeured visit to Lingholm Estate (a Victorian mansion once summered at by Beatrix Potter) offers canoeing/paddleboarding on Derwentwater, meeting alpacas and lawn games, or a tour and tasting at The Lakes Distillery. Return to the train at Penrith for dinner and evening entertainment. The train spends the night on the Settle & Carlisle Railway.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Cotswolds, Oxfordshire

    Day 3: Appleby - Oxfordshire

    Brunch and a Bellini in the dining car as the train crosses the Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle & Carlisle line. Disembark for a culinary experience centred on Simon Rogan's regenerative farm in the Cartmel Valley, including an extended farm tour and sustainable dining experience. Return to the train for the final night aboard, with an overnight stop amid the Cotswolds, just beyond London.

  4. Day 4rail

    Day 4: Oxfordshire - London

    Breakfast on board as the train returns to London through Oxfordshire, arriving at Victoria Station in the morning.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board at London Victoria in the afternoon and enjoy traditional Cumbrian afternoon tea or spa treatments before dinner in the restaurant car as the train passes through South Yorkshire
  • Day 2Chauffeured visit to Lingholm Estate, a Victorian mansion, with optional canoeing or paddleboarding on Derwentwater and meeting alpacas
  • Day 3Cross the Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle & Carlisle line during brunch, then disembark for a farm tour and sustainable dining experience at chef Simon Rogan's regenerative farm in Cartmel Valley
  • Day 4Breakfast on board as the train returns to London Victoria through Oxfordshire in the morning

Included

  • 24-hour steward service
  • all meals mentioned
  • all drinks including alcoholic beverages
  • entertainment on board
  • experiences as per itinerary (customised options available, additional charges may apply)

Not included

  • outward and return journey
  • gratuities and personal expenses
  • meals not mentioned
  • hotel accommodation on site
  • entry fee (ETA) for GB
  • cancellation costs and travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The Britannic Explorer journey from London Victoria through Yorkshire, Cumbria, and back to Oxfordshire is fully included. All meals on board, drinks, entertainment, and 24-hour steward service are part of the package.
What accommodation is provided?
You stay on board the Britannic Explorer in either a Double or Twin Suite or a Grand Suite for all three nights. The train is your hotel.
Which trains are used?
The journey runs entirely on the Britannic Explorer. The route includes segments on the Settle & Carlisle Railway (near Appleby and crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct) and stops at heritage lines including Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.
What is included in the meals?
All meals on board are included, prepared by chef Simon Rogan using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. All drinks, including alcoholic beverages, are also included.
When does this journey run?
The Britannic Explorer departs in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November 2026. Twelve departures are scheduled, with some dates already sold out.
What activities happen off the train?
On Day 2, you visit Lingholm Estate with optional canoeing, paddleboarding, alpaca encounters, or distillery touring. On Day 3, a chauffeured excursion includes a farm tour and dining experience at chef Simon Rogan's regenerative farm in Cartmel Valley.

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