The British Pullman, A Belmond Train, is opening a new chapter in its history with the launch of Celia, a private carriage designed for dinners, receptions, and exclusive events.
Created by Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning production and costume designer Catherine Martin, the carriage enter service this month. It will accommodate up to 12 passengers in a setting inspired by British theatre, Shakespeare, and the cinematic world of the creative duo.
Designed as an immersive experience, Celia features a dining room, lounge, bar, and dedicated kitchen. The carriage was conceived as a true travelling stage, capable of hosting everything from private lunches to live performances, DJ sets, and intimate celebrations along the British Pullman routes.
Celia, an actress born from Baz Luhrmann’s imagination
The aesthetic universe of the project revolves around a fictional character invented by Baz Luhrmann: Celia, a 1930s West End actress who was gifted her own Pullman carriage after her performance as Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
“Celia offers a completely new approach to private dining experiences, both on board and in the heart of the capital. A rare and unique opportunity to create an entirely bespoke journey, in a spirit of tailor-made luxury unlike anything seen before, imagined by one of the world’s most influential creative duos. Nothing is fixed: Celia invites every traveller to create their own universe, a masterful expression of storytelling by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin,” said Gary Franklin, Vice President Trains & Cruises at Belmond.
This narrative serves as the guiding thread for the entire interior design. Behind two theatrical velvet curtains, the spaces gradually reveal themselves like acts in a play.
A polished design unlike any other
The first compartment takes the form of a cinematic-style bar lounge, decorated with floral arrangements, whimsical motifs, and refined parquet flooring. Further on, a more intimate lounge features a purple velvet sofa surrounded by rugs in shades of pink, green, and red.
The dining room extends this atmosphere with marquetry inspired by English landscapes and direct references to British dandy aesthetics. Deep green, brown, and red tones evoke West End theatres, while backlit ceilings and nautical-inspired windows give the carriage the appearance of a travelling jewel box. Miniature portraits of Celia have even been incorporated into the carriage’s marquetry.
“Celia tells a sincere and deeply authentic story. From the very beginning, the project revolved around exploring the British landscape and discovering it from within,” explained Catherine Martin.
To bring the project to life, she collaborated with a selection of British artisans, including Dunn & Son for the marquetry, Bill Cleyndert for bespoke furniture, Tony Sandles Bespoke Glass for glass elements, and Hand & Lock for embroidery. The tableware was designed by Duchess China, while the cutlery is by David Mellor and the glassware by Waterford Crystal. A signature fragrance specially developed for Celia completes the sensory travel experience.
Celia, the ultimate destination for indulgence
The gastronomic experience plays a central role in the project. Travellers will be able to create a personalised three-course menu with several choices of starters, mains, and desserts. British classics such as beef Wellington and chicken liver parfait will be reimagined in contemporary versions tailored to guests’ preferences.
Belmond also enlisted Monica Berg, co-founder of the bar Tayer + Elementary, to create an exclusive cocktail menu reserved for Celia. English punch, mocktails, spritzers, and signature creations will be served on board. Passengers will also have the option to fully customise the carriage’s bar according to their wishes.
Service worthy of the finest palaces
The carriage also introduces a new approach to ultra-personalised travel aboard the British Pullman. From the moment of booking, passengers benefit from dedicated support to design their bespoke experience: menus, food and wine pairings, excursions, and musical programming can all be arranged before departure.
On the day of travel, guests enjoy a private transfer from London to Victoria Station before being welcomed directly on board with champagne and dedicated service.
Scheduled to launch in summer 2026, the carriage can be fully privatised, with prices starting at €17,000.
Through Celia, Belmond continues its strategy of transforming luxury rail travel into a truly cultural and immersive destination. More than just a carriage, the project was conceived as a complete narrative experience: décor, gastronomy, music, and hospitality all combine to create a fully staged and truly unique universe.
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Featured photo : Ludovic Balay
