Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel: Oxfordshire’s Culinary Sanctuary

Belmond’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is more than a hotel—it’s a living expression of sensory luxury and horticultural artistry. Located in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, this 15th-century manor is the culinary jewel in the crown of Raymond Blanc’s legacy. For nearly 40 years, it has maintained two Michelin stars—a symbol of enduring excellence blended with seasonality, craft, and charm.

Having hosted discerning travelers for generations, Le Manoir’s story is one of evolution: from a medieval manor to a refined gastronomic destination, and now as part of LVMH’s Belmond collection. This story is etched into every courtyard arch, herb garden path, and candlelit dining room.

A Heritage Home with Purposeful Design

The origins of Le Manoir trace back to the 13th century, but it was Raymond Blanc who transformed the property in 1984, marrying its historical architecture with an uncompromising vision for food-driven hospitality. The honeyed Cotswold stone façade is draped in flowering vines and framed by lavender-lined walkways, orchards, and aquatic gardens once dug by monks.

Interiors are filled with intentional charm: wood-paneled lounges outfitted with eclectic artifacts from Blanc’s world travels; suites with fireplaces, silk upholstery, and soft lighting; and bathrooms designed for indulgence—think twin baths artfully arranged under canopies.

With only 32 individually styled rooms and suites—some affording private garden views, others positioned above vine-draped terraces—Le Manoir maintains an intimate scale that's rare among country estate hotels. Among them, several offer private terraces, courtyards, and even fireplaces—each one a retreat unto itself.

Rooms & Suites: Personal Refuges in the Manor

Accommodations at Le Manoir are as distinctive as they are comforting, each room telling a story through its décor and layout:

Garden Courtyard Rooms: These rooms offer courtyard or garden outlooks, with large windows and individual garden access. They feel fresh and intimate.
Deluxe Rooms: Quietly luxurious and individually decorated, they include premium linens, wood-burning fireplaces, and spa-style bathrooms.
Junior Suites: Spacious living areas, walk-in steam showers or deep-soak tubs, seating zones, and rich custom details add a degree of relaxed indulgence.
One-Bedroom Suites (e.g. Blanc de Blanc, L’Orangerie): Featuring private terraces, separate lounges, and gas fireplaces—ideal for extended stays or romantic escapes.

Each room includes thoughtful touches: a pillow menu to ensure perfect sleep, complimentary bath salts, plush spa robes, and 24-hour room service. Expect warm light at dusk, lavender on your pillow, and fresh flowers in the window every morning.

Culinary Excellence: A Garden-to-Table Philosophy

Dining is at the heart of Le Manoir. Since its inception, Raymond Blanc has championed seasonality, and his original kitchen garden remains essential to every menu. Orchards, herb beds, and vegetable plots—all living sources of inspiration—frame the property and feed the restaurant.

The Restaurant

Le Manoir’s fine-dining experience is centered on a daily-changing tasting menu that reflects the season. Expect dishes like black-truffle macaroni, roasted scallops, careful lamb preparation, and artistic desserts. The dialogue between garden and plate is unceasing, and the standard impeccable.

La Belle Époque Private Room

For intimate gatherings (up to 50), this wood-paneled salon is as much a library as a dining venue—ideal for celebrations or retreats where the table is the stage.

Raymond Blanc Cookery School

Open since 2017, this immersive day experience guides up to eight guests through garden tours, vegetable classes, and a convivial lunch. It’s an active ingredient in your visit—learning, tasting, laughing, and returning home with skills as well as memories.

Gardens & Grounds: A Living Canvas

The immense vegetable and herb gardens—some 90 varieties of veg and 70 herbs—are central to Manoir’s purpose. Wandering the walled gardens, you pass through lavender borders and orchards, cross 16th-century fishponds, and feel the seasons changing underfoot.

The cross-shaped croquet lawn becomes an alfresco stage for summer tea.
Japanese-inspired sections offer moments of quiet reflection.
Garden tours led by curators explain intercropping, companion planting, and seasonal cycles.

The gardens are not mere décor—they are active contributors to wellness, palate, and story.

Service That Elevates Without Intruding

From lavender-scented check-in to personalized culinary preferences remembered throughout your stay, the service at Le Manoir feels effortlessly anticipatory. A champagne toast at arrival, porters on lavender-lined walkways, and fires lit in all lounges before twilight make each visit feel like a cherished homecoming.

The concierge can arrange access to local attractions: Oxford excursions, private vineyard visits, or shopping at Bicester Village.
For families, babysitting services and connecting room setups offer comfort and flexibility.
Small-scale wellbeing touches—croquet deliverables, in-room spa treatments, private cookery sessions—make every stay personal.

Occasions & Events: Celebrations with Substance

Every corner of this estate is built for memorable moments: from anniversaries to board retreats. The conservatory, with columns of light, the formal gardens, and private dining rooms provide settings for weddings, product launches, or intimate celebrations.

The full complement of in-house chefs, sommeliers, and event managers ensure flawless, food-centered experiences.
Up to 70 guests can gather without ever feeling crowded.
Bespoke itineraries and menus tailored to your purpose or celebration.

Sustainability and Stewardship

Le Manoir prides itself on long-term environmental and cultural stewardship.

The garden-to-table model has earned a Michelin Green Star alongside the restaurant’s culinary accolades.
Culinary training programs span 2.5 years, producing chefs of global renown—Heston Blumenthal and Michael Caines among them.
The property launched a subsidized bus route to Oxford (route 46), reducing car use and supporting wider access.

Why Belmond Belongs

Since its acquisition by LVMH’s Belmond brand, Le Manoir retains its character-rooted operation—but now with an elevated infrastructure and international support. Styling honors history—even as curated art installations inject subtle modern flair. The result? A property that has matured beautifully into a global flagship for food-driven, intimate luxury.

Experience Le Manoir

Every stay at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is distinctly layered: a place where history, craft, and conviviality converge. Whether you arrive seeking culinary artistry, restorative comfort, or simply an escape into grounded elegance, what lingers is something slow and resonant—like the taste of lavender at dusk, the hush of evening fires, the memory of a garden in bloom.

Travel across seasons and senses. Rejoin the lineage of those who've found solace in its gardens and warmth in its dining rooms.

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