For a fun day away from your usual surroundings, bring your team to Le Manoir to enjoy one of the special experiences we can create for you.

Cookery School

Our cookery days take place in the specially designed and newly refurbished Raymond Blanc Cookery School kitchen, using domestic equipment. The course, for a maximum of 10 guests, provides a hands-on opportunity to develop your culinary skills in a practical and supportive learning environment.

The course content varies according to your ideas, for a one-day course we would normally include a mix of starters, a main course and desserts. Your guests will also taste various ingredients to learn about their quality and will be taken on a guided tour of the main kitchens and gardens. 

A typical day begins at 9.00am when guests arrive for coffee and biscuits and are then welcomed by our Cookery School Director. Chef’s jackets and aprons are provided for everyone and guests are put in to pairs for the day. During the morning you both watch demonstrations and cook your own lunch.

After lunch the course recommences at around 1.30pm until 4.30pm when course certificates are presented and the day comes to a close with tea and lemon cake served in the lounges. As a suggestion, it is a nice idea to include a signed and dedicated copy of one of M. Blanc’s cookery books as a memento of your day.

Additionally, we also organise cookery demonstrations for up to 20 guests. These will also take place in the Raymond Blanc Cookery School where guests are seated around a central unit where the demonstrations take place. A variety of dishes can be demonstrated and guests are very much involved with tasting the dishes.

Wine Tasting

Our Chef Sommelier will be delighted to share his knowledge and expertise with your guests during a wine tasting session that can be organized in the privacy of La Belle Epoque.

You can choose the wines or a specific theme for your tasting or leave it entirely to Xavier to choose from our extensive wine list. We will provide all your guests with tasting notes and Xavier will give some invaluable tips and make sure the tasting will be an enjoyable and learning experience for everyone in your party.

We can organise an informal, standing wine tasting in the reception area of La Belle Epoque for up to 50 guests. You will normally taste 4 to 6 wines and it will take at least 45 minutes. All the necessary equipment and tasting notes will be included in the charge of £25.00 per person and the cost of the wines tasted will be added separately.

Other Activities

A variety of activities can be organised for your special event in the grounds of Le Manoir or within a short driving distance:

• Guided garden tours
• Kitchen and cellar tours
• Clay pigeon shooting
• Blind-fold driving
• Archery
• Guided tours of Oxford
• Hot air ballooning
• Horse riding
• Golf
• Fishing
• Spa day at Hartwell House
• Beauty Treatments in the room
• And many more… just ask our Private Dining Team or click here.

Room Hire

When you book the La Belle Epoque for your event, gâteaux aperitifs (canapés), seasonal flowers, personalised headed menus, a table plan and individual place cards will also be included in the room hire of £500.00, inclusive of VAT.

Your Menu

Raymond Blanc and Gary Jones, our Executive Head Chef, have created special seasonal menus for private entertaining, ranging from our celebratory Signature Menu at £125.00 per person to three course lunch menus at £65.00 per person. The variety of menus will give you the opportunity to sample seasonal specialties.

In order to ensure the success of your event, we kindly ask that you choose one menu for the whole party. Should any of your guests have specific dietary requirements, we will be delighted to create alternative dishes for them. Children are more than welcome at Le Manoir and a children’s menu is also available for our younger guests.

Your Champagne and accompanying wines can be selected from Le Manoir’s extensive cellar to complement your menu. Should you require assistance, our Chef Sommelier will be delighted to make suggestions.

Accommodation

All bedrooms and suites at Le Manoir are individually designed to offer you the highest standard of comfort and luxury. Many rooms have their own private terrace gardens and views of the stunning grounds. Should you and your guests wish to stay at Le Manoir, thirty-two beautifully designed, elegant bedrooms and suites are available; these range between £380 to £915 per room and can be booked along with your event by our Private Dining Team.

Flowers and Gifts

L'Atelier aux Fleurs, the private events floristry department, will be delighted to personalise your floral arrangements for any event. Please contact them directly to arrange a meeting at Le Manoir, view their amazing portfolio and discuss your ideas.

Mary & Claire
L’Atelier aux Fleurs
Tel.: 01280 704 412
E-mail: m.egreen@virgin.net

An extensive selection of gifts is available for you to choose as a memento of your event, from silverware to Villeroy & Boch china, from Le Manoir’s Champagne to one of Raymond Blanc’s book specially signed and dedicated for you. Gifts can be wrapped with prior arrangement for you to present to your guests during your celebration.