DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
DINING
On board the Britannic Explorer, we celebrate the Great British terroir
Dining on the Britannic Explorer is a moveable feast. During off-board private dining experiences and within on-board curated menus, we focus on local provenance and produce, and a farm-to-fork approach.
Sample the finest English delicacies – from a delightful afternoon tea to an evening meal – with menus created by renowned Chef Simon Rogan, celebrated for his innovative approach and exceptional quality in his restaurants which collectively hold ten Michelin stars worldwide. Then, retreat to the Observation Car to let off steam for a night of revelry, chance encounters and spirited entertainment.
A GARDEN IN MOTION
Take your seat in one of our two restaurant cars, Malva and Samphire, for a unique train dining experience. Painstakingly crafted by trailblazing studio Albion Nord, the interiors are inspired by Great British greenery – from the intricate patterns of a cultivated English country garden to the soft romance of a flourishing wildflower meadow.
Admire the potted herbs, striking botanical tapestries, limed oak joinery and unique woven finishes, complimented by a trellis-inspired mirror ceiling that lends a sense of spaciousness. Here, linger over fresh seasonal delicacies as landscapes unfold outside your window.
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DINING
CURATED BY SIMON ROGAN
Chef Simon Rogan MBE is an award-winning British chef and restaurateur who pioneered the farm-to-fork movement in the UK. Known for his 3 Michelin star restaurant L’Enclume in the Lake District, he has unwavering respect for the surrounding nature, with a focus on hyper-local ingredients.
His menus for the Britannic Explorer celebrate seasonal ingredients, sourced locally to showcase the richness of Britain’s diverse regions. From lunch to custom Afternoon Tea and dinner, Chef Simon Rogan's menus will change with the seasons and reflect his zero-waste ethos – all carefully paired with select biodynamic wines from the modern frontier of English harvests.
OBSERVATION CAR
The Bar
As we spirit you away to destinations anew, let off steam with a tipple or two at our Bar, located within the Observation Car.
The Britannic Explorer’s Bar is a stylish hangout furnished with ochre banquettes, amber glassware and soft glowing lights. Chicly-clad mixologists will – inspired by Victorian apothecaries – take bottles of botanicals and transform them into intriguing herbal teas, bespoke cocktails and soft drinks.
Savour a menu of innovative cocktails, alongside a carefully curated selection of artisan gins and craft beers, highlighting the finest offerings from the UK’s independent distilleries and breweries.
AFTERNOON TEA
In 1840, the 7th Duchess of Bedford asked that a tray of tea, bread, butter and cake be brought to her room at 4pm, as dinner was served so late and she had started to grow hungry. Soon she began inviting friends, and the ritual quickly became a fashionable way to entertain.
It’s only right that our train, which celebrates British tradition, features a delectable Afternoon Tea offering. Each menu is tailored to the route travelled on, with regional ingredients taking centre stage – think Kendal Mint Cake on our Lake District routes and classic Bara Brith on our Wales journeys.
ENTERTAINMENT
REVELRY ON THE RAILS
After days spent revelling in Britain’s beauty spots, our Observation Car plays host to an informal itinerary of entertainment – each one inevitably followed by spirited conversation with friends, old and new...
...and come nightfall, lavish festivities unfold with a rotating program of live performances, bespoke themed parties and irresistible seasonal celebrations.
