Boschendal Farm Cottages

Rooms

The cottages are found in three distinct locations. The 1-bedroom Werf Cottages and 2-bedroom Clarence Cottage are closest to the action: a stroll away from the Farm Shop and Deli, Werf restaurant, wine tasting and reception. Across the road and up a 2km dirt track towards the mountains are the more remote Orchard Cottages, each with 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms, and the gorgeous Cottage 1685, ideal for groups of up to 10. Further afield, the stunning Mountain Villa, sleeping up to 12, calls the Simonsberg Mountain their closest neighbour, while Cow Shed Cottage, sleeping 4, and The Retreat, a collection of eighteen 2-bed cottages, sit 3.5km away in the corner of the farm.

Calm muted fabrics and simple well-equipped kitchens with dressers give the 7 Werf Cottages a homely feel. Beds are comfortable with crisp white linen, wardrobe space plentiful, deep clawfoot baths and handmade lavender products relaxing. All share a pool but have barbecues, terraces and fireplaces to keep you warm in winter. The four larger ones with separate living area have space for a child on a day bed. All have great mountain views.

Close to these but hidden in a private garden is Clarence Cottage. The 2 double bedrooms each have an ensuite bathroom, plus there's a cosy open plan sitting/dining room and kitchen. Bright pops of colour inject personality into the farmhouse-feel of this cottage.

The 14 Orchard Cottages have a quieter feel and are more contemporary in design. Converted labourers' dwellings, they range in size from 1 to 4 bedrooms, most with en suite bathrooms. We loved their fresh, colourful interiors. The 1-bedroom cottages don't have a view (they overlook other cottages) but a few steps outside will still reveal the stunning vista. The shared circular swimming pool where groups of friends and families can gather seemed especially enticing. You'll need a car to reach the cottages but once there, you're within easy reach of the mountain trails and dams.

Cottage 1685, designed by Herbert Baker, is the most historic. Sleeping up to 10 and with its own pool, garden and daily housekeeper-cook, it's an amazing place to stay for a larger group or family.

Even further from the main Werf are 18 cottages at The Retreat. Each sleeps 4, and the cottages are clustered together - ideal for groups of friends or families travelling together. These are Boschendal's newest and most affordable option but are no less stylish and share a lovely freshwater eco pool. Though each cottage has its own kitchen and dining table, there's a communal screening room, dining area where breakfast is served and meeting rooms that can be booked for extra-large groups.

Located at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain with views of the entire Franschhoek Valley, the top-of-the-range Mountain Villa has 6 stylish bedrooms, 4 shower bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and is ideal for small celebrations and family gatherings with a large private pool and a braai, bar area and pizza oven in beautifully kept gardens.

Since our last visit the Cow Shed Cottage has been added; a short drive from the main Werf, it sits secluded overlooking the rest of the farm, with 2 light and airy double bedrooms each with ensuites, a cosy lounge, fully equipped kitchen and a private patio perfect for summer barbecues.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Cots available
• Fan
• Fireplace
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

You have lots of options, from cooking yourself to gourmet dining. Cottage kitchens come with Le Creuset cookware and you can stock up or pre-order at the Farm Shop everything from freshly baked bread, fresh fruit and veggies to ready made meals, pizza making kits, or their own Black Angus steaks and Duroc pork for your bbq. For a great start to your stay, we recommend pre-ordering a picnic hamper generously filled with fresh salads, pates, cold meats, cheese and a most delicious cheesecake, which you can enjoy on the vast lawns.

Too lazy to cook on holiday, we headed over to the Deli Cafe which serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in the shade of oak trees. Start the day with a healthy green smoothie or a naughtier "I'm on holiday juice" (Tequila Sunrise!). We loved the "Boschendal Banters" - poached eggs with the sweetest tomatoes and basil from their garden and the super-light waffles with roasted bananas and local honey. Lunch offers a range of rustic specials like chicken pie and salads. Things remain simple for early suppers at the Deli with wood-fired pizza, veggie curries and juicy burgers.

The Werf Restaurant (open daily for lunch) is the more formal dining option. Breakfast is also served here for those staying in the cottages - now included in the rates. Its terrace view overlooking gardens and mountains is a draw in itself. Most main courses are for sharing and focus on presenting contemporary farm to table dining: salads are freshly picked from their spectacular kitchen gardens. Cheese and charcuterie platters are served in the bar, and of course, everything is washed down with Boschendal's award-winning wines.

There's no shortage of fabulous restaurants to try locally but make sure you book ahead in high season.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Kids' meals
• Organic produce
• Oven
• Restaurant
• Toaster

Activities

• It's easy to spend a day exploring the farm, soaking up the beauty of the place, maybe going for a short hike in the mountains then cooling off by swimming in one of the shared pools or dams
  
• Enjoy one of Boschendal's renowned picnics in the grounds against the stunning mountain backdrop
  
• Head to the cellars for a chocolate or wine tasting, with goodies from the farm as accompaniments
  
• Kids will love getting hands on with the outdoor farm experience led by the Tree House team
  
• Go mountain biking around the estate on one of 3 trails
  
• Horse and pony rides can also be arranged
  
• Beyond Boschendal, foodies will love Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, with their world-famous gourmet restaurants and surrounding wine estates - don't miss rustic-chic Babylonstoren, a 10 minute drive away

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Mountain biking
• Plantlife / flora
• Swimming
• Wine tasting

Kids

Boschendal is great for families - the self-contained cottages with kitchenettes make them feel like a little home. There's a wonderful Outdoor Experience programme for kids aged 5-14 and an imaginative, but unsupervised, Tree House play area with pumo track where kids can ride their bikes.

There are large grounds to explore and shared swimming pools. Our 9-year-old daughter was fascinated by the waddling ducklings and pecking chickens on the farm and delighted in running through the kitchen garden water sprinklers. Simple meals can be had at the Farmshop Deli and high chairs can be provided. Babysitting can be arranged if you want to dine out in local restaurants.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The 1-bedroom Werf Family cottages each have one day bed in the sitting room suitable for children, plus space for a cot. If you prefer to have more space and don't mind being further away from the action, pick one of the Orchard Cottages with 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms. Larger family groups should try to book Cottage 1685 which sleeps up to 10 and comes with a housekeeper-cook and private pool.

Cots Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 50 minutes
• Hospital: 15 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Boschendal is 75km from the centre of Cape Town, in the lush, dramatic valleys of Franschhoek and the Groot Drakenstein.

By Air
Fly directly into Cape Town International (70km); or take an internal flight from Johannesburg, which has a wider choice of airlines. Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
It’s about 50 minutes drive east, following the N1 to near Paarl, then follow the R45 towards Franschhoek.

By Car
You will probably want to hire a car: see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions to the hotel will be sent when you confirm your booking through i-escape.com.

More on getting to South Africa and getting around