Belmond's British Pullman Unveils 'Celia', a Cinematic Carriage by Luhrmann & Martin

Belmond has revealed the interiors of 'Celia,' a new private dining and events carriage set to debut on the British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England, in May 2026. This addition, envisioned by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, marks a significant development for luxury rail travel, conceived as a versatile space for grand banquets, intimate celebrations, and theatrical performances.

Hospitality Net reports that Celia, designed to accommodate up to 12 guests, encompasses a dining area, a lounge, a bar, and a dedicated kitchen. The design narrative, according to Hospitality Net's piece, draws inspiration from 'the British countryside, Shakespeare, and the extravagant and flamboyant flair characteristic of a Baz Luhrmann film set.' The carriage’s aesthetic is built around a fictional muse, Celia, an imagined West End leading lady who, in this narrative, received her own Pullman car in 1932 after an 'era-defining performance as Titania, Queen of the Fairies, in A Midsummer Night's Dream.' As such, every element within the carriage 'weaves together her life story and Shakespearean vernacular,' creating what they describe as a 'dreamlike cinematic atmosphere.'

Upon entering Celia, guests are 'immediately transported into another world,' Hospitality Net writes, a 'bygone era of nostalgic luxury.' The layout is designed to mimic 'the acts of a play,' with two substantial velvet curtains revealing the carriage's distinct compartments sequentially. The journey begins in a bar lounge, where parquet floors and walls feature intricate patterns, floral motifs, and enchanting fairies. A separate snug offers an elaborate carpet in shades of pink, red, green, and yellow, leading to a plush, tasselled purple velvet sofa. In the dining room, patterned marquetry reflects a 'quintessentially dandy English landscape,' with gentle florets, particularly the pansy—a symbol of 'British nostalgia, love and, for the Victorians, forbidden romance'—prominently featured. Bold greens, blousy browns, and deep reds are employed throughout to echo the 'theatrical flair of the West End stage,' complemented by naval-style windows and backlit glass ceilings that create the impression of being within a 'theatrical jewel box.' Green and maroon scalloped chairs accompany the elaborately detailed timber dining table.

Catherine Martin engaged several British artisans for the project, including long-term Belmond collaborators such as marquetry specialists Dunn & Son, bespoke furniture designer Bill Cleyndert, Tony Sandles Bespoke Glass studio, embroiderers Hand and Lock, and J.K Interiors. Duchess China, a historic British manufacturer, collaborated on the bespoke tableware, while David Mellor supplied cutlery and Waterford Crystal provided glassware, all chosen to resemble a 'personal collection of crockery.' Furthermore, Hospitality Net notes that a signature scent, personally selected by Luhrmann and Martin, has been developed to further immerse guests. The carriage's interiors consistently allude to the English landscape traversed by the British Pullman, with pansies appearing frequently in the carriage's textured elements, referencing the flower placed in Titania's ear in Shakespeare's play. The marquetry, in particular, evokes the 1930s era, featuring 'tri-coloured wooden masterpieces' depicting fantasy scenes rooted in 'the pastimes of rural England,' with Celia herself immortalized as Titania within these panels. Parquet floors complement the marquetry, intending to give the impression of 'travelling through England's storied forests.' Fabric-covered ceilings enhance acoustics for live performances.

Each element of Celia is designed to be bespoke. Guests are granted access to a personal guest experience curator, a new provision for Celia clientele. All aspects, from off-train excursions to personalized menus and wine selections, are to be planned directly with the dedicated chef and team prior to boarding. On the day of departure, guests receive private luxury transfers from London hotels to Victoria Station, where they are chauffeured to Celia for welcome drinks with a dedicated team of stewards. The journey commences in the bar and lounge, which transforms into an entertainment space with a stage and dance floor once the dining area is revealed by the theatrical curtains, allowing for live performances, playlists, or DJ sets arranged in advance.

Food and beverage are central to the Celia experience. Guests receive a bespoke three-course meal with choices for starters, mains, and desserts, decided in advance. The menu offers 'legendary English dishes' such as beef wellington and chicken liver parfait, presented with 'modern spins and twists' customised to the occasion. Monica Berg, master mixologist and co-founder of Tayer + Elementary, has curated an exclusive cocktail list for Celia, including an English punch served upon boarding, alongside mocktails and spritzers. Guests can also custom-stock their own bar for the journey. The experience additionally includes unique off-board excursions, tailored to individual itineraries.

Our take: The collaboration between Belmond and a creative force like Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin signals a deepening of experiential luxury in rail travel. This is not merely an aesthetic refurbishment but a conceptual endeavour, transforming a carriage into a narrative space. This approach, where design, narrative, and service converge, echoes the bespoke, immersion-driven experiences we've observed in leading hospitality brands globally, positioning rail journeys as destinations in themselves, rather than merely transportation.