Train journey that departs from UK crowned best in the world – with mosaic floor carriages and champagne afternoon tea
A LUXURY train company that offers day trips across the UK has been named the best train journey in the world.
The British Pullman is a fully restored 1920s train that was designed over a century ago to accommodate passengers accustomed to comfort and opulence.
And the train still oozes decadence today.
Its 11 carriages feature art deco-style interiors, antique upholstery, and vintage lighting.
Intricate artwork can be seen throughout the train, including magnificent mosaics on the bathroom floors.
Fine dining experiences are served up to guests and there’s a strict dress code to maintain its elegant atmosphere.
While enjoying delicious food and admiring the train’s beautiful interior, passengers can enjoy views of the English countryside and coast.
The British Pullman A Belmond Train was crowned best train journey in the world in Conde Nast Traveller’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The awards recognise all areas of the travel industry, from hotels and resorts to airlines, airports, cruises, cities and more.
Based in the South East of England, The British Pullman regularly departs from London Victoria and travels year-round to a wide variety of destinations, including Kent, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
Passengers are welcomed onboard by a uniformed train steward and seated at tables adorned with crisp white linen and sparkling tableware.
They can then enjoy a variety of meals, including brunch, champagne afternoon tea, or a gourmet dinner.
The train’s chef John Freeman has been part of the British Pullman team nearly two decades.
Having fallen in love with the challenges and fun of cooking onboard a moving train, John serves up food using British produce sourced from the very farms and fields by which the train passes.
Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.
Destinations include Bath and Oxford, but there are also trips solely focused on afternoon tea and Sunday lunch.
Prices start from £400 per passenger on a table for two.
A British hotel was also a winner in the Conde Nast Traveller awards.
Raffles London at The OWO placed 33 in the best hotels in the world list.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray