A luxurious epicurean retreat
When it comes to wondrous farm-to-table gastronomy, nothing quite beats Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Nestled away in the charming town of Great Milton, the picture-perfect retreat is the work of the legendary chef Raymond Blanc. The prim Oxfordshire manor house is finessed with a splash of French chic, though at heart, the well-manicured spot is quintessentially British with all its ornamental gardens, stretching lawns and fields of wildflowers.
Service is attentive and nothing seems too much for the staff (including impromptu tours of the estate). There is no pool or spa (though in-room beauty treatments are available on request) but for food-lovers, the offering is unrivalled. The Raymond Blanc Cookery School, where everything from dinner-party masterclasses to children’s cookery courses led by expert and friendly chefs are on offer, as is the Gardening School, based in the botanic glasshouse within the grounds.
All the rooms are large and elaborately themed: Blanc de Blanc is calmingly neutral; Jade is an ode to Asia; and many, like our beautiful garden suite, have a more traditional French aesthetic. Named L’Orangerie, the elegant suite comes with its own entrance accessed via a private garden and terrace. Its separate dining-room is stocked with coffee-table books and magazines – the perfect place to unwind after dinner. The bathroom, complete with freestanding tub and a double marble vanity will ensure you always look your best.
The food is simply exceptional. It is the only British restaurant in the entire country that’s held two Michelin stars for more than three decades. Opt for the seven-course taster menu, bracketed by an amuse-bouche and petite fours, and prepared from seasonal, organic ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own garden, which supplies 90 different kinds of vegetables and 70 varieties of herb. We dined on everything from greens from the garden, seared fish and beautifully tender beef. When it comes to drinks, cocktails are expertly mixed in the 1930s-style bar, while the wine cellar stocks a French dominated list of over a 1,000 types wines.
Breakfast is divine and fittingly light: a buffet of bijou patisserie and a menu of hot dishes, including a full English (laid with French finesse, of course) are highlights.
Walk off the food in the pretty gardens, which are seasonally clad in magnificent wisteria. Le Manoir is also just 20 minutes from the centre of Oxford and Blenheim Palace – the birthplace of Winston Churchill – is 30 minutes away by car.
