A man shared his experience of travelling on a lavish train in the UK, but people couldn’t help but make one observation.
Henry Southan, Big Brother finalist and content creator, boarded the British Pullman Belmond Train and travelled from London to Oxford with his mum. It was very different from an average train journey, featuring cocktails and brunch on the way to Oxford and a three course meal on the way back, which the reality TV star changed into a bow tie for.
The intricate details on the train made Southan feel like he had stepped back into the 1930s. When he boarded he discovered dainty tea cup sets, a lamp and rose at his table seat inside the carriage and even the toilets had a grand design.
Ticket prices to board this elegant train vary depending on the journey, but start from around £340 to £435 per person for a basic dining journey, with more exclusive trips costing upwards of £600-£800 or more per person. Special events such as the Goodwood Revival or a visit to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery are typically priced between £640 and £670 per person for a table for two and a Murder Mystery Journey is around £850 for a pair.
Southan posted a video on TikTok to share his experience riding the train. He said: “I finally ticked the most luxurious train in Britain off my bucket list. As we arrived, a singer was performing on the platform like something out of a golden age film.
“I half expected to see Poirot board the train next.” Stepping into the carriage, named Gwen, he added: “We took our seats in the carriage and I immediately forgot what century we’re in. The detailing was beautiful.”
The ITV star and his mum enjoyed bellinis and brunch on the way to Oxford and he mentioned that they had “way too many delusions of grandeur that day.” Southan stated: “In 1948 this exact carriage was used with sister car Mona to convey HM Queen Elizabeth, and later the queen’s mother, to Brighton.”
The mother-and-son arrived at Oxford where they spent a few hours doing some shopping and exploring but they were “very excited” to get back onto the train for “another dose of 1930s fabulousness.” Southan noted that he wishes all train travel was like the experience passengers on the Belmond Train are treated to as it would “make everyone a lot happier.
He and his mum got back on board and got ready for dinner, which Henry used as an excuse to put on a black velvet bow tie as it “oozed a bit of glamour.” The three-course meal celebrated British produce, featuring Cornish hake, Kent lamb and a lemon tart.
This was paired with a range of English wines. Giving his final remarks, Southan concluded: “I soaked up every last second. It was a day I’ll really cherish.”
His TikTok video has garnered 251,000 views, 14,700 likes and more than 250 comments, so far. Despite showing how luxurious the train is, several viewers noticed something else: the carpet.
One said: “Looks lovely but the amount you pay for it I’d expect the carpets to be clean!” Another added: “I think it would be lost on me. Watching the start all I could think was how dirty the carpet was lol.”
Others left comments, including “Carpets are disgusting!”, “Perhaps they could clean the carpets” and “It’s great to clean the carpets sometimes.”
However, many viewers had positive things to say about the train. A different TikTok user chimed in: “Oh, I am ENVIOUS, looks like a trip to the past!” A second shared: “Love this, so glamorous and the meal looks delicious.”
British Pullman has been contacted for comment.
