Knight Frank has pulled a property advertisement that featured Raymond Blanc's renowned Oxfordshire restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, after a local resident questioned its appearance on Zoopla.
The advert displayed the two Michelin-star restaurant and hotel in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, alongside a message encouraging homeowners to sell through Knight Frank. The promotion drew attention from local residents who asked whether the agency was marketing the restaurant as a home for sale, with one resident accusing Knight Frank of using Le Manoir as a “false house advertisement”.
Advert's message and removal
The advert carried the headline: “Thinking of selling your home?” It continued: “Put your next move in safe hands with local experts. We sell or let a home every 20 minutes, registering new applicants every four minutes and connecting you to qualified buyers.” However, the accompanying photograph showed the famous restaurant rather than a residential property.
Knight Frank removed the promotion after a local newspaper contacted the agency for clarification. A spokesperson confirmed the decision but said the advert had not offered Le Manoir for sale. “We are aware of the advert and it has been removed,” the spokesperson said. “The advert was a general promotion of Oxfordshire as a place to live, showcasing one of the area’s best-known attractions. Knight Frank holds the appropriate rights and permissions to use the image.”
Restaurant's history and refurbishment
Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc founded Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in 1984. The restaurant has since become one of Britain's best-known fine dining destinations and retained two Michelin stars for 41 consecutive years through 2025.
Belmond owns the hotel and restaurant, which closed temporarily in January for major refurbishment work. The venue plans to reopen next summer under culinary director Arnaud Donckele, who hopes to regain its two Michelin stars and eventually secure a third.
The incident highlights how estate agency marketing can cause confusion when agents use prominent local landmarks to promote an area.
