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Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire
Great Milton, United Kingdom · Belmond · Apex Luxury
Raymond Blanc, a self-taught French chef who had never worked in a professional kitchen before opening Le Manoir in May 1984, earned two Michelin stars in the restaurant's very first year and has held them uninterrupted for over forty years, the longest continuous two-star tenure of any hotel restaurant in the United Kingdom, in a 15th-century Oxfordshire manor surrounded by eleven distinct gardens and a 2,500-tree heritage orchard that feeds the kitchen directly.
- 36 rooms
- Opened 1984
- Neighborhood: Oxford OX44 7PD
- Architect: 15th-century manor house; architectural specialists working with Raymond Blanc
About Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire
- Blanc was self-taught and had never worked in a professional kitchen before purchasing the 15th-century Oxfordshire manor in 1983.
- The Michelin Guide awarded Le Manoir one of its first Green Stars for sustainability in 2021.
- Eleven distinct gardens surround the property, including a 2,500-tree heritage orchard and a potager that supplies the kitchen directly.
- Blanc also runs the Raymond Blanc Cookery School and a gardening school on the Great Milton estate.
History
The 15th-century manor house in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, changed ownership across centuries before the self-taught French chef Raymond Blanc purchased it in 1983 and opened Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in May 1984 as his vision of the perfect union of restaurant and hotel. The restaurant was awarded two Michelin stars in its first year and has held them uninterrupted for over 40 years — the longest continuous two-star tenure of any UK hotel restaurant. In 2021 the Michelin Guide awarded Le Manoir one of its first-ever Green Stars for sustainability. Belmond acquired the property in 2014 as part of its rebranding from Orient-Express. In January 2026 the hotel will close for a 1.5-year renovation before reopening in summer 2027.
The setting
Set in the rolling Oxfordshire countryside between Oxford and Thame, surrounded by 11 distinct gardens including a 2,500-tree heritage orchard and the famous potager kitchen garden that directly supplies the restaurant. 13 miles from Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Restaurants and bars
- Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons — Restaurant · Seasonal garden gastronomy, based around the potager kitchen · Chef Raymond Blanc · Two MICHELIN Stars
- Champagne bar — Bar
Experiences
- The Raymond Blanc Cookery School — Choose between a range of cookery courses.
- The Raymond Blanc Gardening School — Choose between a range of gardening courses.
- Garden gastronomy — Michelin-starred cuisine built around the potager kitchen gardens that supply the restaurant.
- Gardens and orchard — Expansive gardens with an orchard of 2,500 trees, lawn games and a potager kitchen garden.
- Lawn games — Lawn games on the grounds.
Amenities
- 11 themed gardens and 2,500-tree heritage orchard
- Cookery school (Raymond Blanc Cookery School)
- Gardening school
- Pool
- Spa
- Tennis court
- Cycle hire
- Michelin-starred fine dining
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- Andrew Harper Members Choice (2026)
- AA Five Red Stars (2025)
- MICHELIN Three Keys (2025)
- 2 Michelin stars (held continuously since (1984)
- 1 Michelin Green Star (sustainability)
- 3 Michelin Keys (hotel recognition)
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star
- Good Food Guide 9/10
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