The British Pullman, A Belmond Train, unveils Celia – a breathtaking private dining and events carriage designed by visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning designer Catherine Martin. Launching summer 2026 from London Victoria, this self-contained theatrical jewel seats 12 for exclusive celebrations, performances and cinematic journeys through England’s countryside, redefining luxury rail travel as immersive storytelling on rails.
Celia: A Private Dining Room Reimagined as Film Set
Operating as a standalone carriage with dedicated stewards, kitchen, pantry, lounge and bar, Celia transforms British Pullman journeys into personalised productions. From £15,000 (including London transfers), guests craft their narrative:
- Grand banquets with private chefs using seasonal British produce
- Theatrical performances in intimate staging
- Dance floors unfurling velvet curtains
- Milestone celebrations blending food, wine, music and countryside views
Celia departs on all British Pullman routes, letting guests curate onboard extravagance while the train handles the scenic intermissions.
Baz Luhrmann & Catherine Martin’s Shakespearean Vision
Inspired by fictional West End star Celia – gifted her Pullman car post-A Midsummer Night’s Dream triumph – the design fuses British countryside romance, Shakespearean fantasy, and Luhrmann’s flamboyant maximalism. Catherine Martin’s collaboration with Britain’s finest artisans creates a dreamscape where:
- Marquetry by Dunn & Son etches floral motifs into oak parquetry
- Bill Cleyndert’s bespoke furniture upholsters in thick velvet
- Tony Sandles’ glasswork and Hand & Lock embroidery add texture
- Duchess China tableware pairs with David Mellor cutlery and Tom Dixon glassware
Rich greens, yellows, reds and purples bloom across fabric ceilings, theatre curtains dividing dreamlike spaces, and a mosaic powder room celebrating mystical flora. It’s a carriage where British heritage meets cinematic fantasy.
A Magical Mystery Tour Through England’s Landscape
Luhrmann envisioned Celia as a “magical mystery tour” – friends dining, dancing, falling in love as countryside glides past. Martin sees it as “nostalgic respite” where travellers decelerate, fostering deeper connections amid life’s chaos.
The experience:
- Custom menus celebrating seasonal British bounty
- Performance-ready staging for intimate shows
- Bar/lounge flowing into dining via dramatic curtains
- Complete privacy within British Pullman’s iconic consist
From lavish milestone toasts to whimsical cocktail hours, Celia becomes guests’ private stage, each moment a scene from their own film.
British Craftsmanship Meets Cinematic Spectacle
Every detail showcases British artisanal excellence:
- J.K Interiors orchestrates spatial drama
- Floral marquetry celebrates native landscape
- Velvet textures and heavy drapery create intimacy
- Hand-painted ceilings evoke enchanted forests
Celia elevates British Pullman beyond dining – it’s a traveling West End, where England’s rails become runways for personal stories told through food, performance and scenery.
Book Your Cinematic Rail Adventure
From £15,000 for exclusive use, Celia offers unparalleled intimacy aboard one of the world’s most romantic trains. Perfect for:
- Milestone celebrations (anniversaries, proposals)
- Corporate storytelling events
- Cultural society dinners with performances
- Private family legacy journeys
Book via Belmond British Pullman. Summer 2026 marks rail travel’s most imaginative chapter – Baz Luhrmann’s celluloid dreams realised in British steel and velvet.
