Stepping through the seasons ... a journey of winter discovery

                        

The hotel’s seasonal calendar is filled with festive events, inviting guests to share in the magic of Le Manoir. Raymond Blanc and his team have curated experiences that combine the best of the beautiful gardens as well as his famous two Michelin-starred seasonal cuisine.

Guests can learn to create the perfect menu for winter dinner parties, how to decorate the dining table to wow visitors, or listen to traditional Christmas carols followed by a Champagne dinner amongst many other special seasonal options.

From November until the end of the year, the wildflower garden will house a beautiful winter dome for guests to enjoy during their visit. Hidden under the trees, the dome is decorated with twinkling lights and will be warm, so visitors can stop by with their glass of champagne or simply enjoy as a quiet reading spot before dinner.

A few of the seasonal highlights in the calendar include;

Seasonal wreath making with Sofia Hogarth-Guest, 28th November & 2nd December
In the heart of the garden at Le Manoir, the Maison des Fleurs is home to talented resident florist, Sofia and her small team, who create the most beautiful arrangements that give life to every room in the house. In preparation for the festive season, Sofia will offer a few dates for guests to join her to create winter wreaths. She will provide an abundance of seasonal mixed foliage, natural decorations, berries, and more to help guests create their own garden-inspired wreath - adding a touch of Le Manoir charm to their own homes.
A wonderful treat with a friend, this costs £310 per person and includes all materials and the wreath, as well as a delicious three-course lunch with accompanying wines, coffee and petits fours – and a festive champagne toast.


Christmas tablescaping with Merrie Haig and Simon Lycett, 8th December
Another day of creativity and fun as preparations begin for the festive season. Simon Lycett, new ambassador to the Royal Horticultural Society and celebrated calligrapher Merrie Haig share how they create an exquisite festive table. A great way to impress family and friends by learning how to bring the beauty of Le Manoir to Christmas parties at home. This is a great wonderful treat for those who love to host and costs £295. This will include a floral tablescaping and calligraphy masterclass, a champagne reception, and a three-course lunch with accompanying wines, coffee and petits fours.


Seasonal cooking in The Raymond Blanc Cookery School
The course calendar continues to be busy in The Raymond Blanc Cookery School and there are courses specifically for the Traditional Christmas Lunch on the 15th and 26th November, and the 6th, 10th, 14th, and 21st December. There are also Winter Dinner Party courses on the 3rd, 9th and 20th December.
Other favourite courses in the calendar include Chocolate Heaven and the Afternoon Tea course – perfect for friends to do together as a festive treat. Full day courses start for £385 per person and include all tuition and ingredients, morning tea/coffee, informal lunch, refreshments and a completion certificate.


Spread the joy with a series of Christmas carol concerts
The December Christmas carol concerts are a highlight of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons’ calendar of events each year. These intimate evenings are much anticipated and the perfect way to sing in the festive season.
The evening begins with a sparkling Veuve Cliquot champagne reception before a torchlit stroll to St. Mary’s Church for an evening of choral performances by candlelight. After the carol concert, guests return to Le Manoir for a celebratory four-course dinner with wines, tea, coffee and petit fours. The invitation costs £320 per person.
Dates:
- Monday, 5 December - Trinity Boys Choir with your host Raymond Blanc OBE
- Tuesday, 6 December - Christchurch Cathedral Choir with your host Robert Powell
- Monday, 12 December - Non Such Singers with your host Pam Ayres
- Tuesday, 13 December - Royal Holloway Choir with your host Zeb Soanes. 


The main event - Christmas at Le Manoir
For those looking for the ultimate Christmas break, guests can stay for either two or three nights.  Every bedroom has its own tree and beautiful decorations, twinkling lights hang inside and outside throughout the gardens and seasonal music fills the lounges as guests sip on champagne.  Guests will enjoy festive menus depending on the day: a six-course dinner on Christmas Eve with live musicians, a Christmas Lunch on the 25th December as well as cookery demonstrations and wine tasting.



For further information and reservations visit belmond.com/le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons or call 01844 278881.

For press information, contact:
Sara Norman, Miriam Johnson Four Travel on +44(0) 203 697 4200 or e-mail LeManoir@fourcommunicatons.com

Notes to editors:
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, is the perfect place to celebrate a special birthday, wedding anniversary or any occasion to remember. Every room has been designed with a particular theme from Raymond’s travels around the world, from Provencal, France to the Far East.
Surrounding the house, the 11 gardens include the two-acre organic kitchen gardens, growing over 90 types of vegetables and herbs. The produce provides the kitchen for many months of the year - the envy of gardeners and chefs worldwide. Not to mention the mushroom valley, the Japanese Tea Garden, the English water garden and the orchards.