We venture to the Hemel-en-Aarde valley for its raw and rugged beauty of rural pastures. Where dramatic mountain ranges soar above the rolling vineyards, flowing rivers and farm dams. Its hills speckled with livestock and blanketed with burgeoning fynbos vegetation. It’s a place where we can go, to immerse ourselves in the quiet stillness of nature and tap into a remote existence of bliss.
Set on the ridges of an 80-hectare farm, overlooking a dam and the magnificent, ever-changing landscape, Thuúla Haven arises from the earth with its graceful, structural elements, as a eulogy to its environment. Three apex barns sit adjacent one another, exposing its construct and minimal yet warm interiors through tall glass doors and windows. Allowing the landscape to find its way onto the screed and timber floors, the natural light to dance across the walls and settle in the open-plan living spaces. One of the barns houses a garage and upstairs yoga~meditation studio. The other, a place for reclining in the four bedrooms with a cozy lounge and TV room. The main barn holds itself as the helm of the home, where everyone gathers around the tables, on the comfy sofas, beside the fireplaces and beneath the tall ceilings that lift you out over the valley. Like a portal into the heavens. Each space, though minimalistic in its form, has been stylishly appointed with the owner’s signature stamp on interior finesse. A seamless reflection of the property’s surroundings yet simultaneously cocooning you in its calming embrace.
The wonderful thing about spending time in the valley is relinquishing all routines and succumbing to the rhythms of nature. At a gentle pace, you’ll start your day with the morning’s sun, blessing you with a dip in the dam. Coffee on the verandah followed by a hike into the mountains, exploring the natural pools and waterfalls. Hours of reading or painting or stretching in the studio. Then a visit to one of the neighbouring wine farms for a tasting sensation of some of the country’s finest wines and lunch servings. Some might like to take a gallop around the nearby equestrian farms. With the town of Hermanus being a short, scenic drive away, you’re likely to head towards the coast for a swim in the ocean, or visit the amazing farmer’s markets and stylish boutiques, stocking up on supplies before heading home to the valley. You might also prefer to simply sit still for days. Cooking, creating, feasting and foraging for nature’s treasures. Thuúla, meaning silence in Xhosa, is the perfect depiction of what prevails at this hideaway, as you immerse yourself entirely into a place that’s known as heaven on earth.
What we love!
- Watching the moon’s reflection over the dam at night, with a sky that’s blanketed in stars and tend to shoot through the darkness a million times a night. Stargazing will be your nightly ritual in the valley. As will watching the sunset each evening!
- Setting out onto the many walking and mountain biking trails on the farm, swimming in the two dams and exploring the Overberg mountains. The birdlife is sublime.
- Spending time on the verandah, watching the landscape and its colours transform throughout the hours of the day, and seasons of the year. Whatever the weather, the Hemel-en-Aarde valley is an idyllic spot to unwind.
What you need to know…
- Thuúla Haven is located down a dirt road, on a cattle farm, a short drive from the town of Hermanus, and about a 90-minute drive from Cape Town.
- There is a standup paddle board on the property to make use of in the dams. As well as two life-vests for the kids.
- There are an abundance of wonderful wine farms and restaurants to visit on the valley road, just a short drive away from the property. Including Creation Wines, Bouchard Finlayson, Bosman, Ataraxia, Hamilton Russell and Newton Johnson.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie