In case you haven’t heard, there’s a new British Pullman train carriage in town – and it’s unlike anything that has ever come before. Named Celia, let me preface just how exciting its launch was by sharing some facts and stories about it, before we dig into the details of my day on board.
Firstly, Celia was designed by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, the very two people who had my teenage self sitting in a dark cinema room countless times, rewatching the romance, glamour, drama and, at times, complete OTT-ness of their Romeo + Juliet adaptation.
Secondly, my journey on board was one of the first – the very first was for its launch: an evening hosted by Luhrmann and Martin, alongside Anna Wintour. The guests they chose to accompany them on the carriage’s maiden voyage included Tom Ford, Stella McCartney, Alexa Chung, Simone Ashley, Emma Corrin and Jonathan Yeo. A very A-list affair.
On board British-Pullman’s Celia carriage, left to right: Roger Federer, Alexa Chung. Baz Luhrmann, Stella McCartney, Jonathan Yeo, Mirka Federer, Anna Wintour. Photo Credit @SAMLORT
Lastly, as we pulled back into London Victoria after a day on the rails, we were the attraction of the moment, with more than a few people trying to get on board to take photographs. (Unlike Celia’s first outing, however, this time it was very much the carriage that was causing all the commotion – not the people travelling in it).
I hope I’m starting to build a picture of the hype around this launch. It was a big deal, and Celia is as whimsical and extravagant as you might imagine. Plus some.
You might be wondering exactly how I got an invite (me too, if I’m honest).
I was a guest of another exciting travel industry launch: Séntire, a bespoke luxury travel consultancy. Founded by Christina Seredzinsky (clearly a woman with connections in the right places), this is a company that does things differently. Utilising psychology, human intuition and travel expertise – known here as The Séntire Method – they craft journeys around emotion, discovery and sensory connection to place. Seredzinsky has worked with behavioural scientists to try and understand why some UHNWIs seek connection on their travels, and where their previous trips have been falling short. “I don’t start by asking where someone wants to go but how they want to feel,” explains Seredzinsky. “Once we understand that emotional intention, we can shape everything from the destination to the smallest sensory details around it – the where follows the why.”
On this trip, I felt well and truly like a celebrity.
Back to Celia – the train carriage that’s caused such a stir. The train itself, the British Pullman, probably needs no introduction. Comprising 10 original 1920s or 1930s carriages, each lovingly restored to their former glamour, it’s a favourite for special celebrations. It departs from London Victoria and trundles through the UK countryside, transporting guests on adventures to places like Bath, Canterbury, Oxford and Blenheim Palace, or to events like the Grand National and Goodwood Revival.
Celia takes the experience a few steps further.
Theatrical, maximalist, whimsical: Luhrmann and Martin’s storytelling shines. Available only for private hire and set within an original 1932 Pullman carriage, Celia caters for up to 12 guests. There’s (more than) ample space for all across a plush cocktail-bar-cum-lounge area, and an equally impressive dining carriage – the two separated by a red velvet, theatre-style curtain. Lavish opulence is the name of the design game throughout Celia, and it’s a peek inside the creative genius of Luhrmann’s and Martin’s minds. But who is Celia? A fictional character from whom Luhrmann took his inspiration, she’s a glamorous West End actress who performed in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
“We wanted a story that allowed us to push creativity, luxury and uniqueness as far as they could go,” says Luhrmann. “Enter ‘Celia’, our fictitious West End icon of 1932.” The result is a design that’s rich, layered, textured and immersive – it’s all very Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin.
Celia Lounge Aboard British Pullman, A Belmond Train. Image Credit: Ludovic Balay
“Once we had Baz’s character of Celia, the interior design of the carriage became a space encoded with her life story,” says Martin. “A world carefully constructed so that the passenger might step inside it and be transported into her universe.”
Dancing fairies decorate the walls. Intricate wooden marquetry sparkles with an art-deco shade of gold. Velvet upholstery in deep shades of purple and red swathes the carriage from end to end (dining chairs, sofas, curtains). Big bouquets of colourful flowers topple from the bar area. Endless pours of champagne fill vintage champagne coupes, never far from another top-up. There’s not one inch of space in this carriage that doesn’t have some mark of a design detail, but none that ever feels out of place. Luhrmann and Martin even designed a signature scent for the carriage inspired by Celia.
Dining is central to your journey and anything goes. Feel like taking your own personal chef and butler on board? That’s ok. Want to curate your own bespoke menu? No problem. Happy with Belmond’s carefully curated menus? Great. White-glove service comes as standard, however you choose to dine.
Celia Bar Aboard British Pullman, A Belmond Train. Photo Credit: Ludovic Balay
We were, for all intents and purposes, in a different world for the day. And that’s exactly the point: “From the beginning, the project was always about unearthing the voyage and discovery of the British landscape and discovering it from within,” explains Martin. “The central design was built around storytelling and how guests created their own narratives within the world of Celia.”
“Celia offers an experience that you will not be able to replicate anywhere else in London or in the UK,” says British Pullman general manager Adam Baylis-Waterlow. “Eccentricity and innovation runs through the very historical fabric of the British Pullman and Celia is the next stage in its natural evolution. This is not just another ‘moment’ for a heritage train, but a genuine cultural piece that showcases the very best of art, fashion and culture today.”
My experience within Celia’s world that day was one of a razzle-dazzle, dreamlike state. One broken only as we made our way back into Victoria Station: as we passed packed commuter trains, I began to remember that I’d be on one of them myself the very next day.
But, oh, what a way to escape the London grind, if only for a day.
FAQs:
How much does Belmond’s British Pullman’s Celia Carriage cost to hire?
Exclusive hire of the Celia carriage on the British Pullman starts from £15,000.
How many people can Celia accommodate?
Celia is private hire only, and can accommodate up to 12 guests, making it ideal for private celebrations.
Does Celia have its own staff?
Yes. The carriage has a dedicated team of staff, but guests can bring their own team on board too.
Where does Celia depart from?
Celia is part of the British Pullman train, which departs from London Victoria Station. Your journey will start and end at your designated pick-up point with a private transfer, and there’s a dedicated lounge for all British Pullman guests at London Victoria station too.
What is Séntire?
Séntire is a bespoke luxury travel consultancy that designs journeys around the individual. Your journey with Séntire begins by understanding how you want to feel and what you want to experience.
What makes Séntire different?
Séntire takes an emotion-led approach to travel. Your trip planning will begin with a feeling and every element of a journey is selected to reflect the individual traveller, rather than fitting them into a pre-existing itinerary.
What kinds of trips does Séntire plan?
Séntire creates bespoke journeys around the world: from restorative escapes, cultural journeys, celebrations, personalised holidays and much more beyond.
What is the Séntire Method?
The Séntire Method is the company’s approach to creating personalised journeys. It involves emotional calibration, cultural mapping, sensory composition and narrative realisation. The result is a journey based on how the guest wants to feel on a trip first, later mapped into a bespoke travel experience.
Katie Silcox is Citizen Femme’s managing editor who writes about travel and culture. Originally from the UK, she’s also lived in India, the UAE and Greece, where island hopping was her favourite summer pastime. She’s previously worked across titles including Condé Nast Traveller, GQ and Architectural Digest.
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Lead image: Katie Silcox on board Celia
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