Deep in the Drakenstein Valley in the heart of Cape Winelands country, Babylonstoren is a green-fingered guest’s dream, with a large, beautiful garden at the heart of pretty much everything that goes on here.

It’s a working farm/vineyard, originally built in 1692, making it one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in the area. Tortoises, chickens and geese are among those you’ll be sharing the 3.5 hectare farm with, which is just a 45 minute drive from Cape Town.

Thanks to a 21st Century refurbishment, you can stay in different kinds of luxury accommodation on the site and enjoy a laidback lifestyle at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley.

Different types of accommodation

Farmhouse Suites

Each of these nine air-conditioned spaces has one bedroom with either a four-poster or twin beds and an ensuite with marble bath. The entire farmhouse can be block-booked subject to availability.

Garden Cottages

Choose from a 1-bed or 2-bed classically designed and furnished cottage with a private garden offering views of the vineyard.

Fynbos Cottages

Also available with 1 or 2 bedrooms, these contemporary homes feature a glass cube style kitchen area in which you can prep your own meals on those occasions you don’t want to eat out.

Family Houses

The 5-bedroom Manor House and Fynbos Family House both sleep 10 guests, making them ideal for a big family or group of friends’ getaway.

Where to eat

You’ll find three highly rated places to eat at Babylonstoren:

Babel is located in a former cow shed and has a seasonal breakfast, lunch and dinner menu that’s shaped by whatever’s growing in the garden at the time. You can eat outside in the shaded courtyard if you prefer, and pick from an impressive wine list.

The Greenhouse is more café than restaurant serving tea and coffee as well as fresh juices and home-made treats and salads.

The Bakery is a third option, offering a homely menu of hot and cold food.

The garden

This is the beating heart of Babylonstoren.  A fruit and vegetable garden with more than 3km of pathways that are yours to explore. There’s plenty of botanical diversity to enjoy here, with tours of the gardens hosted by experts available to book, as well as workshops you can attend. These cover various garden-related topics. The garden is also home to a swimming pool.

Other shared facilities and activities

A farm shop, wine museum, garden spa and gym are all on-site and accessible to all guests. No stay at a working winery can surely be complete without a spot of wine tasting, and Babylonstoren has a dedicated centre for this pleasant pastime.

Fishing and canoeing are other popular activities guests can book, but if you prefer spending time on dry land, why not go hiking or cycling along one of the many winding dirt tracks that cut through the vineyards and skirt around the koppie and dams? Mountain bikes are available for hire.