Garden Dreams & Gourmet Scenes at Le Manoir

✨ A Magical Day at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, near Oxford. If you want to experience dreamy rural gardens and the finest French cuisine then this is the tranquil retreat you're looking for. We recently stepped a little outside our usual comfort zone and spent the day at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons — and what a treat it turned out to be. 🦋 Our visit began with a wander through the incredible gardens, which were genuinely stunning. The first corner I turned offered a fantastic glance at the country house style building (Picture 1). The Far Eastern-inspired areas were especially peaceful, with bamboo, water features, and winding paths that made it feel more like a serene retreat than a hotel garden (Picture 2). I was surprised to come across a Japanese Tea Garden amongst it all (Picture 3). ⛩️ Every path I took led me to further surprises - including an Eastern inspired wooden bridge (Picture 4) and a Japanese Maple tree (Picture 5). It was the perfect way to ease into the experience, cocktail in hand and blistering sunshine filtering through the trees. 🍽️ We went for the 7-course tasting menu, and the experience was something special. Here are some of my highlights: 🐟 I tried caviar for the first time with the confit salmon — paired with dill, cucumber, cauliflower, and a wasabi crème fraîche that brought just the right kick. That dish really stood out and set the tone for the evening (Picture 6). 🥩 Another favourite was the baby rack of lamb. It was tender, full of flavour, and came beautifully plated with an aubergine flower, sugar snap peas, and a vibrant herb purée that brought everything together (Picture 7). 🍓 And for dessert — the strawberry tart was the perfect summery ending. Crisp, sweet, and fresh, with strawberry sorbet and crushed pistachios adding a lovely contrast of textures (Picture 8). Le Manoir is definitely on the fancier end of the scale, but if you’re looking for a peaceful escape with exceptional surroundings and some truly memorable dishes, it’s worth the splurge. #oxfordtrip #lemanoir #oxfordshireescape #tastingmenuexperience #gardenwanderlust #foodiefinds