Far-Flung Fantasy: Inside The British Pullman’s All-New Celia Carriage

A flamboyant new train carriage redefining rail travel

Luxury train travel is having a moment. As hospitality brands broaden their horizons to find ways to retain guests across their whole travel itinerary, hotel groups are going beyond the typical bricks and mortar stay, to offer experiences aboard branded planes, trains and automobiles. But it’s less about transportation, more about curating a holistic experience that takes you from A to B in style, with a singular brand’s values and USPs attached at every turn.

While the idea of riding the rails on high-end trains is nothing new, with the late 1800s seen as the Golden Age of rail travel, it’s entering a new era as brands from Anantara to Belmond are reshaping the concept of unforgettable journeys via the tracks.

Belmond is a long-time pioneer, with the inaugural departure of both the Venice Simplon-Orient Express and the British Pullman in 1982. It now has seven luxury trains in its portfolio criss-crossing three continents, with some of the most luxurious carriages and experiences in the world.

Adding another feather to Belmond’s hat is the British Pullman’s all-new Celia carriage, a fantastical private dining and events car designed by visionary award-winning Australian film director Baz Lurhmann and Oscar-winning costume and production designer, Catherine Martin.

Speaking to this new era of bespoke train travel, Celia is conceptualised as a luxury venue for hosting grand banquets to more intimate celebrations, transforming into a theatrical space for live performances on all British Pullman itineraries.

Taking inspiration from the British countryside it whistles through, Shakespeare and the flamboyant flair of a Baz Luhrmann set (hello, Moulin Rouge), the design concept follows the narrative of Celia as a muse. The interiors of the carriage create an extravagant backdrop to her playfulness and after-hours mischief.

The journey starts in the bar lounge, something of a cinematic sanctuary with gigantic velvet curtains, parquet floors and walls decorated in patterns, floral motifs and fairies. There’s also a separate snug in elaborate pink with a plush purple velvet sofa. Beyond lies the dining room, a celebration of contemporary heritage with pansy prints, a symbol of British nostalgia, and a colour scheme of bold greens, chic browns and deep reds to mirror the theatrical visual cues of a West End stage. Green and maroon scalloped chairs nestle around an elaborately detailed timber dining table, dressed with David Mellor cutlery, Waterford Crystal glassware and tableware designed by Duchess China. Every element is created to make the journey as important as the destination.

For more information, visit belmond.com

Lead Image Credit: Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin working on the designs for Celia

From the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Interiors Summer 2026 issue