Looking to take a journey on the Belmond British Pullman train? Here’s everything to know before booking The Golden Age of Travel train journey from London—from what’s included, how much it costs, what to wear and whether it’s actually worth it.

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Belmond British Pullman: The Golden Age of Travel Guide

If you’ve ever looked into luxury train journeys from London, chances are the Belmond British Pullman has come up once, or twice.

It’s one of those experiences that looks absolutely gorgeous online—think vintage carriages, champagne, five-course lunches, countryside views—but it also comes with quite a few fair questions before you actually book.

Do you get off the train? What’s included? How much does it cost? What do you wear? Is it more of a day trip, or a very fancy lunch on rails?

After taking The Golden Age of Travel journey aboard the Belmond British Pullman myself, here’s everything you need to know before taking the trip yourself—from how the journey works to whether I think it’s worth the obvious splurge.

Shall we?

About the Author

Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.

On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.

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🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.

What is the Belmond British Pullman?

The Belmond British Pullman is a luxury vintage train that runs day trips and special journeys from London, usually departing from London Victoria Station.

It’s part of Belmond’s wider collection of luxury trains, which also includes the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Royal Scotsman, Eastern & Oriental Express and Britannic Explorer.

But the British Pullman is a little different.

Rather than being an overnight sleeper train or a multi-day journey across Europe, it’s more of an incredibly elegant day out from London.

You board the train, settle into one of its restored vintage carriages, enjoy a beautiful meal, sip champagne, watch the countryside go by and—in some cases—visit a destination for the day.

Belmond British Pullman at a Glance

the golden age of travel

🚉 Departure point: London Victoria Station

🚂 Journey I took: The Golden Age of Travel

🌿 Route: Round-trip through the Kent countryside

⏰ Duration: Around 5–5.5 hours, depending on your date and route

🥂 Best for: Special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, luxury train lovers

🏛️ Not best for: Travellers who want a cheap day trip, lots of sightseeing stops or a practical way to get somewhere

🍽️ What’s included: Round-trip train journey, welcome champagne reception, five-course lunch, wine, coffee, tea and petit fours

👗 Dress code: Smart casual or themed fancy dress; avoid denim, trainers, baseball caps, collarless T-shirts and shorts

📍 Do you get off the train? Depending on the journey you may get off the train briefly, but it’s mainly about the onboard experience

✨ Would I recommend it? Yes, especially as a first-time Belmond British Pullman journey

What are the different Belmond British Pullman journeys?

The British Pullman runs a mix of onboard dining journeys and destination day trips from London but exact journeys change by season and date. These are the main types you’ll usually come across.

Golden Age of Travel

This is the one I took and the one I’d recommend for a first-time British Pullman experience. It’s a classic round-trip from London by steam train with lunch, wine, champagne and plenty of vintage train glamour.

I’ve only personally taken The Golden Age of Travel, but based on my experience, I’d say it’s best to book for a first-time journey.

More Belmond British Pullman Journeys:

• A Moving Murder Mystery Lunch — A round-trip dining journey with a theatrical and interactive murder mystery element onboard. Good if you want something a bit more interactive or group-friendly.
• The Great British Sunday Lunch — A Sunday lunch journey onboard the train. Best if you want the British Pullman experience centred around a long, lovely lunch rather than a destination day out.
• Chatsworth — A longer destination journey to Chatsworth. Good if you want to combine the luxury train experience with time at one of England’s grandest country estates.
• Blenheim Palace — A destination day trip to Blenheim Palace. A good option if you want a heritage day out alongside the British Pullman experience.
• Historic Oxford — A destination journey to Oxford. Best if you want the train experience paired with time in one of England’s most famous historic cities.
• Historic Bath — A destination journey to Bath. Ideal if you want the British Pullman experience plus time in one of the UK’s most beautiful historic cities.
• Great British Seaside: Whitstable — A seaside day trip to Whitstable. Good if you want a coastal destination alongside your British Pullman journey.

What to Expect on The Golden Age of Travel

Each Belmond Train journey will vary slightly, but for The Golden Age of Travel you’ll arrive at London Victoria Station, find the Belmond British Pullman on Platform 2, check in and head to their designated lounge.

Here you’ll find a welcome tipple and live music even before you board the train, so I recommend arriving 30 minutes before your departure time to make the most of it.

Once the train arrives you’ll be lead onboard, shown to your table, and then the journey begins.

One of the details I loved most is that every carriage has its own name, design and history.

I was seated in Perseus, which formed part of Winston Churchill’s funeral train in 1965—while other carriages have carried royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother and Prince Philip.

Champagne is served on arrival, followed lunch course by course, with wine poured as the Kent countryside rolls by.

Like I said earlier, the journey itself is the destination, leaving you plenty of time to chat, take photos, enjoy the carriage and views and be gloriously unproductive for a few hours.

And for my true train aficionados, there’s also a short pit stop where you’ll get the chance to look at the steam train itself. Beautiful isn’t it?

What’s included on The Golden Age of Travel journey?

For The Golden Age of Travel journey, the experience is mainly centred around food, drink and the onboard atmosphere.

At the time of writing, the Golden Age of Travel package includes:

• Round-trip travel aboard the Belmond British Pullman
• Welcome champagne reception
• Five-course lunch
• Sommelier-selected wines
• Coffee
• Tea
• Petit fours

As always, check your specific journey before booking, as inclusions can vary slightly by date, route and experience.

P.S. — If you’re vegetarian, vegan or have dietary requirements, make sure you add them when booking or contact the British Pullman team ahead of time.

How much does The Belmond British Pullman cost?

Shall we call a spade a spade? A British Pullman journey is most definitely a splurge.

Prices vary depending on the journey, date and seating option, but for context, The Golden Age of Travel is priced from £585 per passenger on a Table for Two—with the majority of journeys from £615 — £855 per person.

I think the important thing is understanding what you’re paying for. This isn’t a train you book to get somewhere in the cheapest or most practical way. You’re paying for the vintage carriage, a five-star dining experience, the service, the drinks, the atmosphere and essentially a luxury trip.

For most people, I’d treat it as a birthday, anniversary, milestone, gift or bucket list experience—not a casual day trip.

P.S. – Because prices can change by date, availability and seating type, definitely check the exact journey before you book.

What should you wear on the Belmond British Pullman?

One of the loveliest parts of taking the Belmond British Pullman is the chance to dress up for the occasion.

All Belmond trains have a dress code that includes a ‘no casual clothing’ rule, including denim, trainers, baseball caps, collarless T-shirts and shorts. In other words, it’s a place to dress well.

For women, I’d think along the lines of a dress, tailored jumpsuit, skirt and blouse, or smart trousers with a lovely top. For men, a suit, blazer and trousers, or a smart shirt with polished shoes would all work well.

While you don’t need to arrive in a full 1920s outfit, wearing something vintage is part of the fun if you’re on The Golden Age of Travel journey.

Final Thoughts on the Belmond British Pullman

It’s not every day you get the chance to experience something as timeless as the Belmond’s British Pullman, so absolutely add it to your list.

Between the vintage carriages, polished service, long lunch, champagne, countryside views and sense of occasion, The Golden Age of Travel is truly train travel at its most elegant.

It’s certainly a splurge, but after indulging in the journey myself, I can certainly say it’s the kind of travel experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.

FAQ: Belmond British Pullman

💭 Is the Belmond British Pullman worth it?

Yes, if you’re booking it for the travel experience rather than the destination.

💭 How much is the Belmond British Pullman?

Prices vary depending on the journey, date and seating type. At the time of writing, The Golden Age of Travel was priced from £585 per passenger on a Table for Two, with other journeys ranging from around £615 to £855 per person.

💭 Where does the Belmond British Pullman depart from?

Most Belmond British Pullman journeys depart from London Victoria Station, but always check the details for your specific journey before travelling.

💭 Does the Belmond British Pullman stop anywhere?

It depends on the journey. The Golden Age of Travel is mainly an onboard dining experience, while other journeys may include destination stops such as Bath, Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth or Whitstable.

💭 What’s the Belmond British Pullman dress code?

The dress code is smart, and casual clothing such as denim, trainers, baseball caps, collarless T-shirts and shorts should be avoided. For The Golden Age of Travel, dressing well is very much part of the experience.

💭 Which Belmond British Pullman journey is best?

For a first-time journey, The Golden Age of Travel is a strong choice. It offers the classic Belmond British Pullman experience: vintage carriages, lunch, drinks, countryside views and a themed-journey.

💭 Can you take the Belmond British Pullman alone?

Yes. Although it’s popular for couples and special occasions, the Belmond British Pullman also makes for a lovely solo experience. I saw quite a few taking the trip alone and having a lovely time when I went.

Thanks for reading my Best Day Trips from London Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!

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Happy Travels,