Slow luxury has a new offering on the rails.
As the luxury travel sector pivots toward ” deep, experiential journeys, Belmond has announced a theatrical new addition to its storied British Pullman train. Slated to launch this summer, the Celia carriage, designed by filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning designer Catherine Martin, promises to be a defining moment in the current renaissance of luxury rail travel.
The debut of Celia arrives as high-net-worth travelers increasingly seek privacy, “hushpitality,” and narrative-driven experiences over mere transportation. Set within an original 1932 Pullman carriage, Celia operates as a self-contained private luxury venue on rails. It offers an intimate sanctuary for up to 12 guests, complete with its own cocktail bar, dining area, and dedicated stewardship, perfectly aligning with the 2026 trend of hyper-personalized, private group travel.
(Belmond)
The carriage is both a mode of transport and an immersive storytelling vessel. Inspired by 1930s West End theatre and the whimsical romance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the design follows the fictional tale of “Celia,” a muse and exuberant era-defining leading lady.
Luhrmann and Martin have collaborated with top British artisans to bring this vision to life. The interior features an elaborate fabric ceiling, heavy theatre-style curtains, and intricate marquetry by Dunn & Son, while the color palette of rich greens, yellows, and purples evokes the British landscape.
The result is a cinematically intimate space that encourages guests to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with one another, a core tenet of the slow luxury movement.
(Belmond)
“Stepping inside the carriage is like being transported into another world, and one in which guests are invited to become part of the story,” Luhrmann said in a statement. “Celia, at its heart, is a magical mystery tour – a traveling dining experience for friends or an intimate celebration, filled with food, music, wine, laughter, and performance.”
As the industry sees a surge in demand for travel that offers a pause from day-to-day chaos, Celia offers a bespoke solution. Guests can customize their experience with private chefs designing menus from seasonal British produce, or transform the space into a dance floor or theatrical stage.
(Belmond)
This collaboration marks another milestone for Belmond, joining other cinematic partnerships like the Wes Anderson-designed Cygnus carriage, and cementing the brand’s position at the forefront of the art of travel.
“Celia gives travellers the rare opportunity to inhabit the nostalgia of another era,” Martin added. “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. Onboard I imagine people eating, dancing and falling in love, taking photographs, celebrating life’s great moments and adventures all within a world that offers a pause from the chaos of everyday life.”
By the Numbers
- Launch Date: Early Summer 2026
- Capacity: Up to 12 guests
- Pricing: Exclusive use starts from £15,000 (~$20,500), including transfers within Greater London
- Route: Departs from London Victoria Station across all British Pullman journeys
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