The Victorian Manor House, built in 1864, was one of the first homes built in the Crags and Plettenberg Bay area of the Garden Route and had been declared a Historical Monument by the South African Heritage authority in 1992.
The Manor House is situated within a large area of smooth green lawn, surrounded by indigenous forest. From each of the windows, guests are treated to uninterrupted and breath-taking views over the forest, mountain range, and the Indian Ocean.
The space
The original nineteenth-century yellow-wood and stinkwood floors, stairs, and doors of the home have been beautifully restored to show off the features that made these woods so prized for interiors and flooring. This and many other original aspects of the home, including the very close proximity of the same forest from which the wood was sourced, impart not only a sense of time and history but lend the house a uniquely natural and authentic feel. The atmosphere of a grand old family home still pervades and with it the peace and tranquillity of a time gone by and a slower, gentler experience of a less explored Africa.
The indigenous forest that covers much of the Estate is home to vervet monkeys and baboons; bush-buck and wild pigs can often be seen at dawn on the border between the forest and the lawns.
The fully equipped gym offers keeping in shape in-between all the eating, drinking, relaxing, and having fun.
A small animal farm on the property has sheep, lambs, chickens, and Nguni cattle which children can watch and feed. A well-tended vegetable garden provides a wide range of organic vegetables for everyday use at the Forest Hall tables, and an indigenous nursery and re-aforestation laboratory on the Estate is part of a local reforestation initiative in association with SANParks.
Facilities in the grounds of the 220 ha Estate include a pool and pool house: The 25-meter infinity pool is heated with solar panels, and is kept sparkling with an environmentally friendly salt-water cleaning system that does not require the use of chlorine. The pool house is fully equipped with a professional-style kitchen, wood-fired pizza oven, fireplace and barbecue, and a table for 12, ideal for long summer lunches and dinners.
The Manor House is situated on the edge of 10 hectares of smooth lawn and paddocks, perfect for walking and exercising. Several deck areas are perfect for outdoor pastimes, breakfasts, lunches, and romantic dinners looking toward the Indian Ocean.
The sun deck is the main deck, with a linen shelter overlooking the Indian Ocean. The orb deck overlooks the Outeniqua mountains and is perfect for sundowners. The pool deck is ideal for sunbathing. Mickey’s deck is on the way down to the private beach. This is the perfect spot for whale watching and sharing romantic moments.
Walks into the pristine Tsitsikamma forest right on the property to learn about this ancient and unique African ecosystem – the home of the prized Yellow-wood. The Tsitsikamma is a true ‘fairy forest’ and the name is an ancient Khoi word meaning ‘place of many waters’ due to the abundance of waterfalls to be found in the greater Tsitsikamma area.
Barbecue (or ‘braai’)! There are several perfect spots – each equipped with a deck, table, and barbecue, near the beach, in the shade of the trees, where the children can play safely, bathe and wait for the grill to be ready. Sleep-over at the grotto. A night in the very large natural grotto overlooking the sea is a unique experience, and a great outdoors experience to share with your family.
To facilitate any such pursuit, or purely in the interests of maximizing the relaxation factor of your holiday, we can arrange massage and Spa therapists, yoga & meditation instructors, and astrologers. We will be happy to assist in procuring the services of whatever professionals you have in mind. The Garden Route is known to have many such practitioners, drawn to live in this part of the world by the same energies and peace that makes a stay here so special.