Le Manoir - Celebrations and Sustainable Memories throughout the Seasons
Where is that special place that you have been to that creates memories that last? A place that you can visit through many seasons of your life and every new experience creates a new or deeper connection.
Over the last 17 years I have been really lucky to have visited Raymond Blancs, Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons in Oxfordshire on several occasions. Every visit was different, from the people I visited with, the time of year and the type of celebration but each of them created something very lasting and sustainable, precious memories.
My first visit to Le Manoir was on my 40th birthday (sharing my age with you there). My birthday fell on a school day and took on the normal heightened stress of breakfast, school bags, hunt for PE kit, spelling book and the daily challenge of safely delivering the children on time to class. Followed by a ‘grumpy’ exchange with my husband on what time we were expecting to leave for lunch while trying to establish what I should wear, as I had no idea where we were heading.
So when the car pulled in front of the beautiful Oxfordshire Manor House, with its iconic double lavender edged path, I found myself feeling a sense of calm for the first time that day and finally started to relax, a miracle considering I was still trying to come to terms with reaching this milestone age.
As we approached the flag adorned front entrance to the Manor House, the doors opened in perfect timing to welcome us and stood before me was a smartly dressed gentleman with a warm smile holding a large glass of white wine on a silver tray. ‘Many Happy Returns Justine, welcome to Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons’. The glass of wine he presented to me was not just any wine but a chilled glass of my favourite white wine. I was so taken aback and cannot express how this seemingly small gesture made me feel. I had yet to step over the threshold of this magical place and yet it had already captured my heart - perhaps being 40 wasn’t going to be so bad after all.
My second visit was a few years later and a very different celebration. Having been given the daunting task of organising the office Christmas lunch for 30 staff and partners and a generous budget, I felt there would only be one place that offered a stunningly beautiful festive backdrop, but would guarantee exceptional food, create a lasting memory and provide a fitting ‘thank you’ for the team's hard work that year.
Arriving by coach on the day before Christmas Eve, we were welcomed into the glamorous La Belle Epoque private dining room, adjacent to the 15th century Dove Cote. Each table was adorned with tasteful traditional Christmas decorations, the menu was exceptional and the intimate and unique setting ensured that it was indeed a very special Christmas office lunch, one that was talked about with much fondness amongst the staff for many years to come.
Le Manoir prides itself on being a House for all Seasons and it certainly lives up to its claim. Having visited in the Autumn for my birthday and then at Christmas, it was a real treat to take both my mom and my grandmother for an incredible midweek lunch one Summer. A gift to them both for mother’s day but we chose to visit in the Summer to enable them both to spend time enjoying the incredible gardens.
As keen gardeners, they were both spoiled by the manicured lawns, orchards and flower beds and the abundance of vegetables and herbs. They were enchanted by the whimsical statues, they loved exploring the winding paths, each revealing a new and exciting vista at each turn. I remember how The Japanese Tea Garden enthralled them both, never having seen anything quite like it before. They delighted in its beauty and tranquility and I loved how enthralled they were watching the wildlife and birds enjoying taking a dip in the natural spring ponds. Sadly neither my mom or my grandmother are with us now but the memories of this three generational experience, where we each shared and discovered the delights of Le Manoir together, will fondly stay with me forever.
Le Manoir opened its door in 1984, during this first year it was awarded two Michelin stars which it has retained ever since.
On my previous visits, I had always been mindful and conscious of the integral relationship between the kitchen gardens, the seasonal menus and the amazing ingredients and flavours produced in the food at Le Manoir. As Le Manoir was one of the first hotels to embrace sustainable practices, I was familiar with the notion of field to fork.
However, it has only been in recent years, through experiences and learning that I have discovered more places that embody this philosophy. As a result I have begun to really fully understand the dedication and commitment of Raymond Blanc’s ethos behind Le Manoir’s mindset on sustainability.
The vegetable gardens are certified 100% organic. with seasonality and no waste remaining the ethos. It boasts this in the small details, the plaques on terracotta pots, dotted around the gardens, that simply and clearly inform you of sustainable practices, as you meander amongst the vegetable gardens, the mushroom village, stumpery and the natural wildflower meadow. The rewilding projects for attracting wildlife, animals and birds and the daily garden tours further educate and delight you. It was hardly surprising to see that Le Manoir also holds a green Michelin star for ethical practices towards sustainability.
As my first visit to Le Manoir was to celebrate my 40th Birthday, I felt it only right to visit again during its own 40th celebrations in 2024. During this visit I invited a close friend to join me for a celebratory afternoon tea, this time visiting at the start of Spring when the gardens were just starting to come out of winter hibernation.
Following a welcome drink in the relaxing lounge we were shown through to the small yet cosy dining room, where we were presented with an extensive tea menu with detailed origins for each tea selection.
The delicious afternoon tea menu, provided a meticulously presented selection of finger sandwiches which included:
English Wagyu beef pastrami, homemade piccalilli
Valley Smokehouse Salmon, cream cheese and dill
Cacklebean egg mayonnaise and english watercress
Smoked red pepper, goads curd and balsamic.
Warm scones with clotted cream and homemade strawberry preserve
And a pastry selection including
Yuzu and white chocolate Barquette
Pistachio macaron with bergamot
Yorkshire Rhubarb with Timur pepper
Earl Grey and chocolate tartelette with a lemon toffee.
It was the most perfect and decadent way to spend an afternoon with a dear friend and enjoy yet another 40th celebration at Le Manoir. It was my friends first visit, and so I asked her what she thought of the experience, and these were her words:
I was expecting beautifully presented food with delicate and carefully considered flavour contrasts. I was expecting an impeccable service and I anticipated feeling a little like a fish out of water with the presumed socio-economic clientele. What I didn’t expect was to be genuinely welcomed into a beautifully curated environment where I was made to feel so comfortable. The quiet lounge and the invitation to come through for tea allowed you to relax after the car journey and feel embraced by the maternal arms of the surroundings.
The muted tonal palette of the rooms allows you to reflect on the beauty of the detail inspired by natural motifs and it is this detail that is so intriguing. From the detailed origins of each tea choice listed on the menu to the slate notices revealed in the gardens during an afternoon stroll. All point towards the carefully considered ethos that emanates throughout Les Manoir.
I thought this was a really interesting and perfect reflection on the experience, my initial reaction to Le Manoir some 17 years earlier was one of being made to feel so welcome and put at ease. Each of the visits I have made since that day have always delighted and provided beautiful memories.
I hope to return to Le Manoir again in the very near future, perhaps the next time with my son or daughter and experience a Cookery or Garden School course together, we may even get to spend a night dreaming in one of the sumptuous suites.
Without doubt, experiences create connection, not only with the people with whom we share them but in the places that we visit. When those places provide perfect environments for us to celebrate together, no matter what the occasion, they help us to create memories and joyful moments with the people we love that last a lifetime. Le Manoir is one of those unique places that creates sustainable memories and experiences in so many ways. It’s a magical place of discovery that needs to be shared and experienced at least once - www.belmond.com. I really hope that you too get to create your own memories there soon.
I would love to know your own thoughts when you do.
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