Belmond's Celia review: Baz Luhrmann brings Hollywood glamour to Britain's vintage luxury trains
Hollywood has met the British train network in the shape of a redesigned 1930s luxury train carriage aboard The British Pullman, a Belmond Train. The vintage hospitality train provides day trips from London Victoria, offering the chance to escape the city along the tracks across southern England. The original 1932 car has been designed and fitted in collaboration between operators Belmond, the…
The British Pullman, a luxury train operated by Belmond, has undergone a Hollywood-inspired makeover. The carriage, designed in collaboration with Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin, has transformed into a private dining and events space. Martin, an Oscar-winning costume and interior design specialist, worked alongside Luhrmann to recreate the atmosphere of the 1930s cinema era.
The carriage, which can accommodate up to 12 guests, features marquetry veneer wood panelling, a Shakespearean sprite motif, and a velvet-draped dining room with applique crockery. The train's manager, Adam Hill, emphasizes the bespoke craftsmanship behind the carriage, noting the family history of creating carriage pieces dating back to the 1930s.
The Celia carriage, named after a fictional West End actress from the 1930s, is part of a five-hour service from London Victoria. Guests can enjoy classic jazz and swing-era music, interactive murder mystery experiences, and meals served by international chefs. The carriage has already hosted events like British Fashion Week, attracting celebrities such as Anna Wintour, Stella McCartney, and Roger Federer.
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