The legendary Belmond British Pullman — a luxury train offering day journeys across Great Britain — unveils Celia, its new private carriage for exclusive dinners and events, set to debut in early summer 2026.
Making the carriage truly special are two Hollywood names: visionary Australian director Baz Luhrmann, renowned for the visual opulence of films such as Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge, and The Great Gatsby, and his wife Catherine Martin, costume and production designer and two-time Academy Award winner for The Great Gatsby (2013), who designed the carriage’s interiors.
Stepping aboard this exclusive railcar means leaving contemporary London behind for a moment and finding yourself immersed in the atmosphere of the 1930s, as if entering a vintage film set.
Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin (Hugh Stewart).
Created from an authentic 1932 Pullman carriage, Celia is designed to host up to 12 guests in an immersive environment blending theatre, interior design, and haute cuisine. The space includes a private cocktail bar, lounge, dining room, pantry, kitchen, and a dedicated team of stewards, with the option to request a private chef for bespoke menus based on seasonal British ingredients. Departures take place from Victoria Station, and exclusive-use rates start at £15,000, including London transfers.
Conceived as a tribute to London’s 1930s theatrical tradition and the splendour of classic cinema, Celia was inspired by Luhrmann’s vision of an imaginary muse: a young, mischievous West End heroine who received the carriage as a gift after portraying Titania, Queen of the Fairies, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
One of the illustrations of the carriage, created by artist Yukiko Noritake.
“For Catherine and me, creating Celia was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allowed us to push beyond the boundaries of creativity, luxury, and uniqueness,” says Luhrmann.
“Stepping inside the carriage is like crossing into another world, a space where guests are invited to become part of the story. Conceptually, Celia is a mysterious, magical journey: a moving gastronomic experience designed for friends or intimate celebrations, filled with food, music, wine, and laughter. All of this unfolds while the landscape drifts slowly past the window, with the sensation of having entered A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s a playful and extraordinarily unique way to explore the United Kingdom, following your own rhythm and your own story.”
One of the illustrations of the carriage, created by artist Yukiko Noritake.
Heavy theatrical curtains conceal scenographic details that transform the interior into a miniature film set: velvet-upholstered furnishings, oak boiserie with inlays by Dunn & Son, bespoke parquet flooring, and precious fabrics in a palette alternating greens, yellows, reds, and purples. Even the restroom becomes a scenic feature, with mosaics and hand-painted walls adorned with flowers and symbols of mystical allure.
The project brings together the finest in British craftsmanship: from Bill Cleyndert’s bespoke design to embroidery by Hand & Lock and J.K. Interiors, from Duchess China porcelain to David Mellor cutlery and Tom Dixon glassware. The goal is to offer an immersive experience where luxury, art, and nostalgia for the past blend with the romance and wit of Shakespeare’s masterpiece.
One of the illustrations of the carriage, created by artist Yukiko Noritake.
*
Cover image: Oscar-nominated director Baz Luhrmann holding the model of Celia (Hugh Stewart).
comment