Take the British Pullman to Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons for a Festive Lunch with Wines: two world class events in one, Chef Blanc’s Two Michelin Star cuisine and Belmond’s luxury British Pullman train: fully booked and event successfuly concluded

We are delighted to invite you aboard the iconic Belmond British Pullman train for a memorable pre-Christmas event—a five-star rail journey from London to Oxfordshire to enjoy a Festive Three-Course Lunch with Wines at Chef Raymond Blanc’s Two Michelin Star Restaurant Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons.

This is a great opportunity to start your Christmas festivities with 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. And all you need to do is relax and enjoy the ride! The date is Wednesday, December 13, 2023. This event is, as you might expect, already sold out and with a waiting list—but we have pre-booked places for our Members at this magical and unmissable festive event. It will be a perfect Christmas overture!
The extraordinary talents of Raymond Blanc have made this celebrated manor-restaurant one of the best in the world, a niche of French perfection by a master chef. It is a quintessentially perfect English country manor house for a festive lunch. As a frosty sparkle descends on its honey-hued stone, you will be joining the atmosphere of full-on festivities with twinkling Christmas lights and decorations. Le Manoir is glowing with festive magic. This is an excellent way to celebrate in style.
And of course the British Pullman is an unmissable experience all of 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, festivities, culture, the finest food and wine 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 with breathtaking attention to detail, each car is a symphony of intricate marquetry, inlaid mosaic floors, sparkling crystal and beautiful Art Deco design. You will be travelling in style in beautifully restored original named 1920s carriages, all of them with their own tales of history and romance: ‘Audrey’, regularly used by the Royal Family, carried HM the Queen, 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.
Their exquisite design and workmanship is legendary. Art Deco lamps cast a soft glow over polished brass and gleaming mahogany, while plump armchairs provide a supremely comfortable experience. The British Pullman offers the chance to step back in time and experience luxury train travel as it was—and should be. With its original, fully restored 1920s Art Deco carriages and exceptional service delivered by liveried stewards, the train evokes the golden age of travel, when travellers were elegantly dressed and had time to relax and enjoy their journey.
We too shall relax and enjoy our journey as we board the train in London Victoria Station on the morning of December 13. We shall settle into those plush seats 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 a special coach will be on hand to whisk us to Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, magical in its sparkling Christmas lights and decorations, which will be the scene of 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 festive feast like no other.

Le Manoir has a long history of excellence. The restaurant earned 2 Michelin stars upon opening, 39 years ago, and has retained them every year since. They are proud of their reputation and have become 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 festive lunches 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 Le Manoir’s 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 staff are as impressive as is his menu.

After lunch there will be time to wander into the beautiful grounds, to explore Le Manoir’s celebrated scented and potager gardens where much of the fresh vegetables and herbs on which we have lunched are grown—before being whisked back to the British Pullman to begin our return journey 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 relax and enjoy the ride in the warm surroundings of this historic vintage train. Travel aboard Belmond British Pullman really does make the journey as magical as the destination. The memories will linger on.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
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 with selected wines at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Great British cheese and dessert served on the return journey
Coffee, tea and petits fours

Departs 08:45 London Victoria Station, Wednesday, December 13, returning to London Victoria Station at 19:30 on the same day.

BOOK NOW FOR THIS FABULOUS CHRISTMAS 2023 EVENT

The usual price for this spectacular, fully booked event is £720 per person (booked in pairs), but the advantageous Club rate for Members saves you £111 each. Places are very limited, and we know this event will be popular with Members, so please book here now by following the link below, or call us: 020 7399 2960:

Special Pre-Christmas Gourmet Event: The Belmond British Pullman from London Victoria to Raymond Blanc’s Two Michelin Star Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons for a Gourmet Festive Day with Lunch and Wines on Wednesday, December 13, 2023:

RRP £720. CCUK £609. Please click here now to book your places!

For more details, to make reservations by phone, and to check exclusive Club rates for London hotels for the night/s before and/or after the event, please call us on 020 7399 2960 or click here to send us an email to check availability and rates.