Join us on the British Pullman to Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons for a Michelin Star Lunch: Enjoy Two World Class Events in one, celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Raymond Blanc’s world famous restaurant and travel on Belmond’s iconic luxury British Pullman train: The date is Wednesday, June 26, 2024: fully booked and event successfully concluded

We are delighted to invite you on the British Pullman to Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons for a Michelin Star Lunch. You will be enjoying two world class events in one, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Raymond Blanc’s world famous restaurant and travelling on Belmond’s iconic luxury British Pullman train. The chance to savour top Chef Raymond Blanc’s Two Michelin Star cuisine at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons is irresistible, particularly on a midsummer day in June while celebrating Le Manoir’s 40th anniversary. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the English summer in style, with gourmet food and wines and a relaxing day on one of the world’s finest trains from the Golden Age of rail travel, the great British Pullman, a Belmond Train.

This event has been costing the public £1,600 per person, and it is sold out—so we are delighted to have secured even just a few places at a special rate so that our Members do not miss this special event. The Club rate is only £797 per person.

This is an enticing opportunity to enjoy a summer highlight: a day of gourmet Two Michelin Star cuisine, travelling in style on one of the Great Trains of the World, being wined and dined in total five-star luxury all the way. And all you need to do is relax and enjoy the ride! The date is Wednesday, June 26, 2024. This event is, as you might expect, virtually sold out—but we have pre-booked places for our Members for this magical and unmissable 40th Anniversary event. It will be the perfect summer celebration.
The extraordinary talents of Raymond Blanc have made this celebrated manor-restaurant one of the finest in the world, a niche of French perfection by a master chef whose enthusiasm and creativityis now inspire the nation in his own television series. We shall have the rare treat of seeing the wonders of Le Manoir for ourselves—and of course enjoying a delicious three-course lunch which emanates from the extensive potager gardens and the kitchens. Raymond Blanc has created a quintessentially perfect English country manor house scene for a summer’s lunch. As the sun glints on its honey-hued stone, Le Manoir is a magical place to be. What an excellent way to celebrate in style!
And of course the British Pullman is an unmissable experience all its own. If you have never travelled on this historic train from the Golden Age of Rail Travel, this is the perfect time to do so. Expect luxury, history, gastronomy and gardens of delight on this unforgettable day, relaxing in style on the way from London Victoria station to the Cotswolds, with fine wining and dining—not only at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir but on the British Pullman itself. Originally conceived as a ‘Palace on Wheels’ by George Mortimer Pullman, each lavishly appointed carriage is an original 1920s or ’30s masterpiece from rail travel’s golden age.
Lovingly restored in every detail, each car is a symphony of intricate marquetry, inlaid mosaic floors, sparkling crystal and elegant Art Deco design. You will be travelling in style in expertly restored original named 1920s carriages, all of them with their own tales of history and romance: ‘Audrey’, regularly used by the Royal Family, carried the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother and the Duke of Edinburgh to review the Fleet in 1953; ‘Phoenix’ was the Queen Mother’s favourite; and ‘Perseus’ formed part of the funeral train for Sir Winston Churchill.

The effects of this exquisite design and workmanship are eye-opening. Art Deco lamps cast a soft glow over polished brass and gleaming mahogany, while elegant brocade covered armchairs provide a supremely comfortable ride. The British Pullman offers the chance to step back in time and experience luxury train travel as once it was—and should be again. With its original 1920s carriages and exceptional service delivered by liveried stewards, the train evokes a golden era, when travellers were elegantly dressed and had time to relax and enjoy their journey in style.

We too shall relax and enjoy our journey as we board the train in London Victoria Station on the morning of June 26. We shall settle into those plush armchairs and raise a toast to the occasion with the British Pullman’s legendary sparkling Bellini cocktail.

Each elegant table is set with crisp white linen and bespoke china and glassware for the exquisite three-course brunch to follow. As we savour each gastronomic dish we can take time to admire the beautiful marquetry and Art Deco features which surround us. We can sit back and relax as liveried stewards take care of our every need while we enjoy delightful views of the Oxfordshire countryside through the Pullman’s large picture windows.

On arrival at the station we shall be whisked to Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, standing golden-hued at the heart of its extensive gardens and orchards, which will set the scene for the extraordinary talents of Raymond Blanc and his team of Chefs.

A lavender scented footpath paves the way for this spectacular culinary event. Described as ‘a twist of imaginative genius’, Raymond Blanc’s vision for Le Manoir has always been one of world-class gastronomic flair and outstanding organic produce. Stepping under the French and British flags at the front door you will be warmly welcomed and invited to take your seat for a midsummer feast like no other.

Le Manoir has a long history of excellence. The restaurant earned two Michelin stars upon opening 40 years ago, and has retained them every year since. Raymond is justly proud of its reputation as a must-visit dining experience for gourmands across the world. Whatever delights are on the menu, we can be sure that what we shall be savouring will be one of the finest lunch parties in the world. Everything here sings of gastronomic delight. Plates are filled with expertly created dishes, many ingredients picked that day in the recognisable potager gardens where ‘TV Raymond’ shares his knowledge of Nature’s bounty and haute cuisine.

The service too is very much part of the Raymond Blanc experience. Warm and welcoming, everything that can be done for you is done with charm and care. Every want and need is anticipated without being overbearing. Raymond Blanc’s highly trained staff are as impressive as his menus.

After lunch there will be plenty of time to wander into the spectacular grounds, to explore Le Manoir’s celebrated scented and potager gardens and orchards where much of the fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs on which we have lunched are grown. This is another special element to savour during this fabulous day.

Says Raymond Blanc, ‘All produce is either organic, free-range or artisanally produced—much of it from our gardens and heritage orchard. Good nutrition and good food can only start from wholesome ingredients.’ We shall see exactly what he means as we browse the kitchen garden. It produces more than 250 varieties of organic fruit and vegetables, multitudes of organic herbs, an orchard brimming with fruit tree varieties, and a mushroom valley. All have their part to play in producing the fabulous Raymond Blanc cuisine.

At last we shall be whisked back to the waiting British Pullman train to begin our return journey to London Victoria in suitable style. On the way a delicious extra course of Great British cheeses and puddings will be served, followed by coffee, tea and petits fours. So now it’s time to sit back and enjoy the ride in the elegant surroundings of this historic vintage train, watching the evening sun filter across the countryside as we pass. Travel aboard the Belmond British Pullman really does make the journey as magical as the destination. The memories will linger on.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS SPECIAL FULL DAY EVENT:

The Belmond British Pullman from London Victoria to Raymond Blanc’s Two Michelin Star Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons for a Special Day with Gourmet Lunch and Wines on Wednesday, June 26, 2024:

Round-trip travel aboard the British Pullman luxury train
Welcome sparkling Bellini
Delicious three-course brunch on the outward journey
Morning tea and coffee
Transfer to Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Sumptuous three-course lunch at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
served with sommelier selected wines
Great British cheese and dessert served on the return journey
Coffee, tea and petits fours

BOOK NOW AT THIS SPECIAL CLUB PRICE

This event is now fully booked—to join the waitlist please call Member Services on 020 7399 2960.

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