We guess you’re here because you already know a little bit about Franschhoek - it’s a lovely little village in an idyllic setting only 80km from Cape Town with great restaurants and vineyards, a Huguenot history etc. So we’ll just tell you a little bit about us, The Garden House – and a little bit more.

There are just a few photos on this website. To see photos posted by our guests on TripAdvisor click here.

The Garden House is special. Built around 1881 with views over the Valley it is set in a beautiful garden with a pool big enough to swim in. Although it's less than a 15 minute safe and easy walk to Franschhoek's shops and many of its best restaurants, The Garden House is very quiet and private | Back to top

Most of our guests stay in The Cottage which is separated from the main house by a shaded courtyard so we all have our privacy. It has a spacious bedroom with warm and cool air conditioning, a ceiling fan, fridge with complimentary soft drinks and beers, radio, TV and DVD player with a selection of interesting films, tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer and safe. In the large en suite bathroom there is a bath, separate shower and under floor heating.

There is also WiFi for your iPad or laptop or you can use ours.

Occasionally, and in summer only (mid-October to mid-April), guests may stay in a pretty little room in the main house. It has en suite facilities with the shower over the bath, tea and coffee making facilities and a fridge with complimentary soft drinks and beers. However, the Victorian brass bed is only 135 cm (4 ft 6 ins) wide and with a brass footboard it is only suitable for very friendly couples if neither is a second row forward | Back to top

In summer guests enjoy the lovely valley views from the verandah of the main house with a breakfast of home-made muesli, yogurt and berries in season and seasonal fresh fruit, orange juice, delicious smoked Franschhoek salmon trout, Franschhoek cheeses, toast, warm croissants and lashings of tea and strong, fresh coffee.

In winter, we provide a continental breakfast in The Cottage. If guests want a bit more there are some very nice places in the village | Back to top

Actually, there is so much to do!

There are 29 vineyards for wine tasting, shops for retail therapy, four jewellers who can have your engagement ring ready in a couple of days, galleries with some of South Africa’s finest contemporary art and exquisite ceramics by local potters, two museums showing the fascinating history of the Valley and its Huguenot settlement and another with one of the world’s great collections of classic cars.

More active guests can hike in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, bike in the hills on old forestry tracks on your own or with Barry on our MTBs (with trainers or your cycling shoes), jog round the village or alongside the Berg River Dam, go horse riding just 10 minutes down the road, play tennis just up the road with friendly locals or on your own or golf at a world class course just 20 minutes away.

For wonderful scenic drives or a day out go to another of the lovely villages in the area, Cape Point, Cape Town or Stellenbosch.

There are art house films at a dinky little 30 seat cinema for the price of a glass of wine and festivals every month.

And if that’s all too much you can just chill out by our pool and then have a sundowner on the verandah with us before enjoying the finest value fine dining anywhere!

So stay awhile. Franschhoek has so much to offer. A two night stay is our normal minimum in season but occasionally we may have one night available between longer bookings | Back to top

In October 2001 we moved from London to Franschhoek where we have lived happily ever after meeting all the very different and interesting people who are our guests and chatting with them over breakfast or sundowners on the verandah. Annette is involved in animal welfare and raises money for sterilsation of dogs and cats in the nearby township where guests can go with her on "feeding" trips and Barry has a chess group in a primary school | Back to top

We have five cats and two dogs. They are all “rescues” and an important part of our life here. Benjie and Bertie – two very friendly dogs – are usually part of the welcoming committee. One or both of the ginger cats may also come along to check you out. One of the other cats is also very partial to smoked salmon trout so may hang around during breakfast living in hope | Back to top

For the 2011/12 season, the rate per night for The Cottage in summer is R1,400 and R1,100 in winter. For the main house guest room the rate is R950. These rates include breakfast, cold drinks, sundowners, use of bicycles and washing but please tip our domestic for this.

There is a charge of R100 per night for a cot in The Cottage.

As a very small business we do not have credit card facilities. There are ATMs in the village.

We hope to see you at The Garden House.
Annette & Barry

PS We also manage a very nice flat for two in the centre of Franschhoek which is available for holiday lets on a self catering basis. Contact us for details | Back to top