Scrimshaw: A type of folk art dating from at least the 17th century in which whale teeth and bones, and walrus tusks, are engraved with a picture or design by sailors on long whaling voyages.
At Scrimshaw you will find a contemporary beach cottage designed with an understanding of the traditional West Coast langhuis. This subtle blend roots smart, original and antique furnishings in their context and imbues the sleek clarity of the architecture with a real vernacular resonance. Reed ceilings, wood floors and simple washed walls contrast beautifully with the rich blue, green and turquoise decor, just as the pure white sands are set off by the West Coast sunset. This cottage is beautifully set above the soft white sandy beaches of the pristine lagoon.
What we love!
- The wonderfully warm lagoon waters with the softest white-sand beaches and very safe swimming for the kids
- The utterly unspoilt, pristine surroundings deep in a National Parks Board Nature Reserve
- The back-to-basics lifestyle in a charming hamlet on the water’s edge
- The incredible range of things to do and see, from the spring flowers in Postberg Flower Reserve, idyllic beach picnics at nearby Kraalbaai (close to the famous Preekstoel rock formation) and kitesurfing at Shark Bay just outside Langebaan (an excellent place for beginners and to hone your skills)
Need to know…
- Make the most of life on the lagoon… there are SUPS and Kayaks available to rent during your stay.
- Only one hour’s drive from Cape Town
- This is blissful off-the-grid living, so there is no WiFi, limited cellphone accessibility and solar power rules supreme. Most houses rely on rainwater catchment or borehole water driven by solar pumps, and gas hobs and gas ovens are used for cooking. In winter, fireplaces and ever-faithful wood-burning stoves keep things cosy
- We are unable to offer a cleaning service at Churchhaven. The ONLY cleaning service available at any of our Churchhaven properties is a mid-week linen change if you are staying for 6 nights or longer. Due to being off-grid Churchhaven houses do not have dishwashers. If this is a problem for you please consider our other West Coast options.
- Please take note of the following gate times for entering and leaving the West Coast National Park: 1 April to 31 August 07:00 to 17:30; 1 September to 31 March 07:00 to 18:30. No entrance into the park is possible after the gates close in the evenings
- There is a per person, per day entrance fee due to enter the park. Please check the SANPARKS website for latest fee tariffs – https://www.sanparks.org/parks/west_coast/tourism/tariffs.php It may be worth investing in a Wild Card – https://www.sanparks.org/wild_new/
- Families with young children, please note that the two double bedrooms are both en suite, but open onto the patio; i.e. they are not inside the main house.
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