Travel bucket list idea:
Cooking class at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
Great Milton, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)
Last updated: 12 March, 2024
Country house hotel, temple of gastronomy and personal vision of celebrity chef Raymond Blanc: the chance to cook in the hallowed kitchens of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is one of the UK’s premier culinary experiences.
Classes, which range from half-day to residential courses spanning several days, take in everything from baking and confectionery to vegetarian food or blanc vite – impressive dishes that take minimal time to prepare.
Perhaps a little surprisingly for such an upscale establishment, the accent is on fun as well as learning but it’s still not cheap – this is, after all, the crème de la crème of cooking classes.
While you’re there
Providing home-grown produce for the cooking school are 11 enchanting gardens and orchards. You could also sign up for one of the excellent interactive gardening courses, offering advice, ideas and inspiration for growing your own produce, from the best in the business.
Logistics
Price from: £205
Minimum age: 13
Age suitable: 18+
Frequency: daily
When: Most days, all year
Duration: Half - full day
Getting there & doing it
Great Milton is just outside Oxford, around 1 hour’s drive from London along the M40. Trains from Marylebone to Haddenham and Thame Parkway station take around 45 minutes and a car can be arranged for transfer to the hotel. The hotel also has a private helipad and arrival by helicopter can be arranged.
Le Manoir Cookery School is part of the hotel, and two- to four-day packages are usually booked with a residential stay. There are also shorter half-day courses, and food and wine tastings, and private tuition can also be arranged.
When to do it
Course run on most days throughout the year; check the website for the next schedule date of your preferred course.
