Highlights of London & the Belmond Britannic Explorer Train Through Cornwall

(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
London, Cornwall, Somerset

This luxury tour of England includes private touring of the best of London, a luxury train journey through South West England aboard the Belmond Britannic Explorer, and visits to Cornwall’s beautiful gardens, picturesque villages and cultural attractions.

Begin in London, one of the world's greatest cities. Stay at one of London's best luxury hotels and discover London’s heritage architecture, fascinating museums, important historic attractions, exclusive boutiques, traditional pubs and incredible food markets during private touring customized to your interests. Tour famous landmarks such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, Covent Garden, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. Perhaps explore other incredible museums around the city such as the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, Churchill War Rooms, Sir John Soane's Museum, the Tate Modern or the Tate Britain. Also visit hidden squares, renowned British shops, atmospheric tea rooms and other highlights. One day, opt to take an excursion outside London to a top destination such as Greenwich, Hampton Court Palace or Kew Gardens.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange reservations for dining and afternoon tea, book tickets to performances, and provide recommendations for the best shopping in London.

Next, board the Britannic Explorer, a Belmond Train, for a luxurious journey through picturesque South West England. Enjoy the romance of restored vintage train carriages, relax with a meal or afternoon tea in the dining cars and perhaps book a treatment in the train spa. From the observation car, take in views of the villages, verdant hills and farmland of Somerset and Devon en route to Cornwall, a peninsula with dramatic coastlines, magnificent gardens and a subtropical climate. During train-based excursions and touring, opt to visit the seaside towns of St. Ives or Penzance and explore cultural attractions such as the Tate St. Ives art gallery, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden and the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens. Other options include a private tasting of Cornish wine, taking a boat tour from the picturesque port town of Fowey, and tasting vodka and gin at a leading local distillery. En route back to London, stop in the charming Somerset village of Bruton for an after-hours tour and reception at Hauser & Wirth Somerset, a world-class contemporary art gallery and cultural center on a restored farm with notable gardens.

Return to London for additional touring or shopping according to your interests.

Artisans of Leisure can customize any of our private England tours to incorporate Britannic Explorer train journeys in Cornwall and the Lake District.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive London Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 3 nights Day 2 London Full-day private city tour Day 3 London Half-day private city tour. Afternoon tea reservation Day 4 London – Britannic Explorer train Private transfer to station for 3 nights on luxury train Day 5 Britannic Explorer train, Somerset, Devon & Cornwall Train-based activities and excursions Day 6 Britannic Explorer train & Cornwall Train-based activities and excursions Day 7 Britannic Explorer train – London Train to London. Private transfer to luxury hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure Day 8 London  Flexible touring, option for excursion Day 9 Depart London Private airport transfer

Hotels

London: Claridge’s, The Connaught, Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park or Belmond Cadogan Luxury train: Britannic Explorer, a Belmond Train

Cost

Upon request