Your day runs on the Belmond British Pullman, a set of restored 1920s and 1930s carriages. Stewards show you to your carriage and your seat at a table for two or four, a Bellini and brunch are served on the way to Oxford, and a group coach covers the short drive to Le Manoir. Cheese and dessert are served on the journey home.
A coupé is a compartment of four seats with a door of its own, so the four of you travel together rather than at a table in the open carriage, and it is kept for you in both directions. The rest of the day runs the same: a Bellini and brunch on the way to Oxford, lunch at Le Manoir, then cheese and dessert on the journey home.
Celia is a 1932 Pullman carriage redesigned by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, with details drawn from A Midsummer Night's Dream: Titania, Puck and the Donkey are worked into the panelling and the ceiling. Up to twelve guests take the carriage on their own, with a chef, a butler and a steward, a cocktail bar, a lounge and a dining area for the group alone. The day runs as it does for every guest: a Bellini and brunch on the way to Oxford, lunch at Le Manoir, then cheese and dessert on the journey home.
A three-course lunch at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Raymond Blanc’s 15th-century manor in Great Milton, which held two Michelin stars every year from 1984 to 2025. It reopens in 2027 under Culinary Director Arnaud Donckele, whose restaurants in Saint-Tropez and Paris each hold three Michelin stars. Lunch is served at shared banqueting tables of up to 14, with half a bottle of selected wine per person. Afterwards there is time to explore the grounds, from the kitchen garden to the Japanese tea garden, before the coach back to the station.
A day aboard the Belmond British Pullman, with lunch at the reopened Le Manoir.
Wed 13 Oct 2027
5.0
8 reviews
The British Pullman journey and the lunch at Le Manoir carried the day for clients.
The British Pullman journey and the lunch at Le Manoir carried the day for clients.
5.0
(8)
Three ways to travel: a seat at a table in a shared carriage, a coupé kept for four, or the whole of Celia for up to twelve.
A three-course lunch at Le Manoir is included with every carriage.
Three courses with wine at Le Manoir, then time in the gardens.
Included as standard
Return coach transfer to Le Manoir
Between the Oxford station and Le Manoir.
Time to explore the grounds
Le Manoir’s gardens, before the coach back.
Lunch
Three-course lunch at Le Manoir
At shared tables of up to 14 guests.
Half a bottle of wine per person
Served with lunch.
What to expect
Board the Belmond British Pullman in London for a countryside run to Oxford, with a Bellini as you board and brunch at your table.
Le Manoir reopens in 2027 under its new Culinary Director, Arnaud Donckele (pictured), whose restaurants in Saint-Tropez and Paris each hold three Michelin stars. Lunch is three courses with half a bottle of wine each, followed by time in the gardens.
Re-board the Pullman in Oxford for the afternoon run back to London, with cheese and dessert served as the Oxfordshire countryside passes.
Two Michelin stars every year for 41 years. 27 acres of gardens and an orchard of around 2,500 trees supply the kitchen, which Michelin gave a Green Star in 2021.
Marco Pierre White, Michael Caines and Sat Bains trained in Raymond Blanc’s kitchen, and Heston Blumenthal’s only formal training was a week there. By Le Manoir’s own count, more than 30 of its chefs have gone on to win Michelin stars.
Our best tips
October in Oxfordshire is cool and often damp. Bring a warm layer and an umbrella for the walk through Le Manoir’s gardens after lunch.
Belmond’s rule is that you can never be overdressed on the British Pullman: come in smart casual, or go all out in 1920s and 1930s vintage. Please leave jeans and trainers at home.
Getting you on track
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What our guests say
Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons
The whole day was a wonderful experience, from the train journey on the British Pullman to Oxford, with breakfast and cocktails, to the beautiful lunchtime meal at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, and the return back to London. A beautiful and relaxing day, highly recommended!
British Pullman journey to Le Manoir
The entire day was planned perfectly and executed seamlessly. At every location on the day, there were always team members from Imperial there to take care of us and make sure everything ran smoothly. This excellent service complemented the luxurious treatment we received aboard the iconic British Pullman train and the exceptional and unforgettable lunch at Le Manoir. Highly recommend this experience for anyone looking to impress clients, win new ones or just treating yourself to a much deserved day off!
Everyone was very friendly and helpful.
Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Superbly organised and thoroughly enjoyed.
Belmond British Pullman to the MAQS
The initial welcome was friendly yet professional and well organised with clear instructions. The home team kept us informed all day long and the whole experience on the Belmond British Pullman and Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons (MAQS) was amazing. The food was wonderful, with so many flavours and the refreshments were always perfectly timed (and flowing). The train was in beautiful condition and the gardens at MAQS were stunning. It wasn't cheap but it was good value and I would recommend this for a special occasion or if you want to spend quality time in splendid surroundings with contacts, colleagues or a loved one. I was very impressed. One extra bit that made the day was getting to know a couple of Imperial staff members (Will & Beth) who were a credit to the organisation. Some of the rest of the team were hidden away eating their packed lunch which was a bit of a shame.
Belmond Pullman is a majestic train
Belmond Pullman is a majestic train. Service and food were excellent. It was great to go back in time on the journey to Oxford. Le Manoiris an amazing venue - gardens are a joy to wander round. Food was wonderful.
The experience was fantastic
The experience was fantastic. From the nostalgia and elegance of the train ride, even riding in the royal family's carriage. The food was great and the service top draw. The stories from the staff of a different age were so good and the service was excellent. Raymond blanc's Manoir was amazing too. The gardens were incredible, the food extraordinary and the wine was first class. The staff at imperial were great. Friendly, fun and always there to help. Thanks for the memories Lucy
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