The Raymond Blanc Gardening School at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, releases 2021 dates.

May 2021:  The Raymond Blanc Gardening School at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, the first of its kind in the UK, has just released dates for 2021 courses.

During this past year, the time has allowed many of us to develop an appetite to learn more about our own garden and indeed growing our own produce, whether that is in small window pots or in an allotment in the garden.

Inspired by a deep joy and curiosity for the wonders of nature, this school combines the passion the whole team at Le Manoir share for the love of gardening with the desire to pass on best-kept secrets to guests.

Raymond Blanc has always said that the gardens at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons are as much a part of the excellence as the two Michelin-starred food, and the launch of the school is the perfect opportunity to enjoy learning more about the mystery of horticulture within a truly convivial environment.  Quite simply, it is a perfect marriage of true minds – where nature and culture co-exist.

Expert knowledge and passion

Our guests’ epicurean adventure starts in our organic kitchen garden, a magnificent two-acre vegetable and herb scape producing over 90 types of vegetables and 70 herbs, and this is where the inspiration to create the first-ever hotel gardening school originated.

Head Gardener Anne Marie Owens, who has worked at Le Manoir for over 30 years, shares the same passions as Raymond, and together they have combined heritage and modernity when it comes to growing methods with the passion for spreading that knowledge. Utilising tried and tested and more recent techniques, the team will also offer tips on the whole process – from planting and growing to picking and cooking. The team champion sustainable produce, ethical farming and, through this, create dishes that enrich the palate.

Unforgettable ‘natural scapes’

Guided by the values of provenance and sustainability, The Raymond Blanc Gardening School imparts insider tips and expert advice in a relaxed and creative environment, appealing to those with a keen interest in all things botanical or seasoned professionals.  Guests are encouraged to discuss gardening experiences with green-fingered experts and take home ideas and inspiration guaranteed to transform natural spaces or feel energised to create a personal garden scape.

The core courses are led by Anne Marie and her team, each of whom have specialist interests. Initial course dates this year include Seasonal Vegetable Growing (26 & 27/5, 23 & 24/6, 28 & 29/7, 25 & 26/8, 29 & 30/9, 29 & 30/10 and 6 & 7/10) and Micro Herbs & edible flowers (25/5, 22/6, 27/7, 24/8, 28/9 and 5/10). Children’s courses will be available in the summer holidays, to prepare for the next generation of gardeners!

Guests joining the courses will be based in the Hartley Botanic Glasshouse in the Heritage Garden.  One day courses will run from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm with refreshments throughout and a delicious working lunch priced from £205 per person.

For further information, visit belmond.com/le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons or call 01844 278881.