A FESTIVE GETAWAY

Carried on soothing whispers or revealed in between roaring laughter, extraordinary tales are told all year round at Le Manoir. Come winter, these legendary stories resonate against the walls of our warm, honey-hued manor, creating their own symphony of magic. Pass through the gates of our bucolic dwelling and you can almost hear them murmuring: Come on in, this is how your festive story begins.

Whether it is your first time at Le Manoir or you are a lifelong friend, the end of the year is an incredible time of year to sojourn at this 15th-century residence. The first stop of your getaway? The gardens, where you get your first taste of that festive feeling. Here, the twinkling Winter Dome awaits — nestled under the trees, it provides the warmest of welcomes with cosy blankets, plush sofas, and a selection of champagne to sip in good company. When the sun sets, the garden Dome becomes a fairy-lit safe haven, glistening in the dark.

But those who prefer their magic moments indoors won’t feel left out. Le Manoir’s florist Suzanne Bladon is this season’s guide for a creative wreath-making arrangement, teaching you how to assemble fragrant foliage. Anticipate a delightful afternoon of fun, learning all the secrets you’ll need to craft a joyous, stylish season.

After an afternoon of channelling your festive creativity, the time for exquisite music has arrived The a festive season at Le Manoir is synonymous with magical melodies. Take a seat in St Mary’s Church, just a stone’s throw from the hotel, for a delightful concert. There, the Christmas Choir will enchant you with soothing carols, featuring the angelic voices of the Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Somerville College Choir or Brize Norton Military Wives Choir.

There are many ways to spend a Christmas sojourn at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. There’s the gentle getaway, calling for all things cosy and quiet. It’s the indulgent festive lunch, a six-course culinary story carefully designed by Chef Patron Raymond Blanc OBE — followed by Chef Pâtissier Benoît Blin’s soft cardamom meringue, delicately served with a hot coffee at the end of the dining experience. It’s a serene walk through the Le Manoir’s gardens, the pleasing noise of heavy snow under each step. The sigh of satisfaction when relaxing in the cosy conservatory after a day of exploration through the Oxfordshire countryside.

And there’s the other Le Manoir, bright and decadent during the festive season. Hours spent in the sparkling company of your dearest friends, catching the last few hours of daylight in the garden’s Winter Dome by the orchard. Endless conversations and celebrations around the gloriously decorated Christmas tree in the lounge. Rip-roaring celebrations with a glass in hand, dancing the night away at the New Year’s Ball. A final, triumphant display of fireworks at the strike of midnight — the clou du spectacle of the festive season.