RAY'S COUNTRY GARDEN

RAY’S KITCHEN GARDEN

‘Oxfordshire Heritage meet French flair’

So proclaims the website of the Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. This stylish Cotswold B and B and restaurant are a legend and we got to see the gardens. Le Manior has been celebrating its Michelin two stars since it was opened by culinary boy wonder, Raymond Blanc in 1984. 

Link We were unable to afford +/- £850 per night for bed and breakfast, which does include a free newspaper and bottle of spring water. However our wonderful daughter Megan signed Sian and I up for the garden tour.

Although the weather was dull and overcast the gardens were bright wonderful and all explained by a charming Italian of four gardeners who must work incredibly hard. She showed us the mushroom valley, water gardens, extensive orchards of heritage fruit trees wonderful flowers, trees, statuary, fruit and of course, vegetables plots everywhere. Verdure ti amiamo così tanto

My favourite plot was the wildflower garden by the redoubtable Chris Bradshaw.

We were shown the greenhouses one of which is devoted to the culture of micro veg  (Micro veg is another term for the harvesting of seedlings. They are really easy grow and tasty to eat). The redoubtable gardeners wipe a hefty pounds £60,000 of the man’s was food bill with micro veg endeavour.

It was a great couple of hours, preceded by coffee and tea in the muted elegance and pin-drop silence and one of the hotels lounges. Six biscuits were included.