Babylonstoren, South Africa Hotel

South Africa

Babylonstoren has it all – it’s a place where history, nature and gastronomy intersect. Sprawled over 200 hectares in the heart of Cape Winelands, it may be a working farm but for guests, slow living takes the form of days spent taking in dramatic mountain vistas, filling up glasses of chilled chenin blanc and bathing under the golden sun.

Dating back to the 17th century, the estate is one of the oldest working Cape Dutch farms in the region, and has since been restored with rustic interiors that rival that of its sister UK property, The Newt in Somerset. From the manor house to the garden cottages, you’ll find varying accommodation options on site, all housed within classic Cape Dutch architecture.

Set in the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountains in the Franschhoek wine valley, sweeping views are a given, and a wander around the estate reveals a firm connection to nature, enhanced by well-tended gardens with orchards, olive groves and a spice house that tell the story of South Africa’s trading history. Wine is, of course, central: 13 grape varieties are grown, with pinot noir vines some 650m above sea level. Winemaker Klaas Stoffberg and cellar master Charl Coetzee are on-hand for tastings and to reveal the story of small-batch wines produced through ancient clay-vessel methods. Gourmet experiences await at both restaurant and a farm shop – stock up on cured meats, the Babylonstoren coffee blend and creamy local cheeses.

Farm days make for gentle adventures but diaries can be easily filled with trips into the wilderness too. As the jumping-off point to explore South Africa’s southern tip, Cape Town is an hour’s drive away, while culinary hotspots Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are even closer. Feeling active? Lace up hiking boots and head to nearby Jonkershoek or Haweqwa nature reserves.

Doubles from £610 including breakfast.

Words by Megan Dickson.

This article was taken from the February/March 2025 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.