Director Baz Luhrmann has designed a a Belmond train carriage
The launch party was attended by Anna Wintour, Simone Ashley and Roger Federer
The public will be able to book the experience from 15 May
Baz Luhrmann has named the Belmond carriage “Celia”.
Director Baz Luhrmann is famous for his fantastical films, which have created wonderful worlds, from Moulin Rouge! to The Great Gatsby – now, he is set to work with Belmond. Guests can feel as though they are on their own film set, as he has designed a Belmond train carriage. Scheduled to launch on 15 May 2026, here’s how you can hop on board as it whisks you across the country.
The launch party took place on 9 May 2026, and brought together stars from fashion, film and more. Attendees included English model Alexa Chung, actors Emma Corrin and Simone Ashley, designers Tom Ford and Stella McCartney, plus tennis champion Roger Federer and American Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
How Celia was designed
Baz Luhrmann’s Belmond train carriage will take travellers back to the golden age of rail. The carriage has been created for the British Pullman. The 1932 carriage, named Celia, has a creative backstory. Celia is Luhrmann’s fictional muse, a former West End star who was gifted the carriage after performing as Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
For Celia, Luhrmann enlisted the help of his wife, the Oscar-winning designer Catherine Martin. The space includes a lounge and bar, as well as a dining area for up to 12 guests. The furniture is courtesy of Bill Cleyndert, with marquetry by A Dunn & Son, glassware by Tom Dixon, cutlery by David Mellor, and fine china by Duchess China.
Catherine Martin explained: “Celia gives travellers the rare opportunity to inhabit the nostalgia of another era. The carriage offers the ultimate luxury – the time and space to truly connect with the journey itself – and allows the mind to decelerate, opening the possibility of deeper connection not only to oneself and to others, but also to new cultures, new perspectives and different ways of seeing the world.”
Champagne, Chefs and Celia
On the carriage, guests are assigned a dedicated Guest Experience Curator from the moment of booking. Every detail, from curated off-train excursions to personalised menus, is meticulously planned in advance in collaboration with the onboard chef and team.
The experience itself promises plenty of old-school glamour and cinematic magic. On the day of the journey, guests will be collected by private transfer from any London hotel or within the Greater London area, then arrive at London Victoria Station. Guests will then be chauffeured directly to Celia, where welcome drinks and dedicated stewards will set the tone for the adventure ahead.
The journey begins in the carriage’s bar and lounge with Champagne. Adding to the theatrical atmosphere, dramatic oversized curtains create a sense of anticipation throughout the experience. When lunch or dinner is served, the curtains open to reveal an entertainment space complete with a stage and dance floor. Live performances, curated playlists and DJ sets can all be arranged in advance.
Forget about the snack trolley. Food and beverage are at the heart of the experience. Guests will be served a three-course meal and will have a choice of four starters, mains, and desserts, selected in advance of their journey. In keeping with British eccentricity, a selection of English dishes will be offered, including Beef Wellington and Chicken Liver Parfait – all served with a modern twist.
Baz explains: “For Catherine and me, creating Celia was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing us to push the boundaries of creativity, luxury and uniqueness. Stepping inside the carriage is like being transported into another world – one in which guests are invited to become part of the story. Celia, at its heart, is a magical mystery tour – a travelling dining experience for friends or an intimate celebration, filled with food, music, wine, laughter and performance.”
Prices for the Baz Luhrmann Celia carriage with Belmond start from £15,000. Who knows who you might bump into on the train?
Where: London Victoria Station, Victoria Street, Greater London, SW1V 1JU
When: Launches on Friday, 15 May 2026
Price: From £15,000
Contact: www.belmond.com