Noordhoek’s best kept secret
Settled beneath the mountains, surrounded by Noordhoek’s natural wonders, Birch House lends itself as a dreamy Southern peninsula escape, just a hop away from the village.
If ever there was a vernacular of a home that represented a harmonious relationship with nature – the mountain’s terrain stipulating a form that did not impose and in fact, especially, lauded the landscape with its attributes – Birch House would take the trophy and place it on its timber mantlepiece. A home that’s incredibly conscious about its environment, ensuring every element is intricately woven with the context of its surroundings. This hideaway holds you in a sophisticated, Scandinavian-inspired space, layering you in soft, earthy materials and neutral tones and textures, then escorts you out into nature, where the most wholesome conversations ensue.
Set on two levels, within the secure De Goede Hoop Estate in Noordhoek, no more than a ten-minute walk from the entrance to the local village, Birch House cushions itself into the indigenous fynbos veld, surrounded by nature trails and mountains, mature fruit trees, and running streams. Three beautiful bedrooms all blend with the outdoors, pivoting from an upstairs TV lounge, library and games room. Downstairs to the open-plan entertaining spaces where the kitchen sits at the helm. Glass doors and windows carrying the signature sentiment of letting the outdoors do all the talking. And that it does. The soft lawn meeting a white-walled swimming pool at the verge of the veld. Vineyards and mammoth vegetable gardens where blueberries and strawberries, and all the essential earthy treats bloom for your daily pickings. A chicken coop supplying the morning eggs. Geese gobbling up the soil’s treasures around the natural pond. And an amazing fresh-cut flower garden for the dining table vases. Or to simply add colour and shape and buoyancy to the canvas. Sunflowers and sweat peas, agapanthus and pin cushions. Every field flower you can fathom. A place to sit with the birds and the butterflies, contemplating nothing, as you watch the kids play with the goat and her kid. It’s wind-free and the livin’ is easy.
Mountain, beach and community
Spending time at Birch House will flow at a gentle pace, just like the garden stream. Moving in accordance with your holiday clocks. Onto the nature trails and into the swimming pools. Kids are on the trampoline or somewhere in their own secret hideaway in nature. Plenty of visits to the village for a delicious meal, ice cream or a saunter round with a good coffee. Of course, hours at the beach, surfing, swimming and sandcastle-building. Perhaps some wine estate escapades around Chapman’s Peak towards Constantia. Or a day’s outing exploring the famed Southern peninsula coastline and all of the neighbouring seaside hamlets. It’s likely that you’ll have little desire to leave this haven of a hideaway. Ensconced in nature and in-tune with the soul-nourishing energy that it induces. It’s a joyful, characterful family home, full of tangible moments that have been harnessed into its build. For you to revel in and recreate, for your own memory banks.
What we love!
- The property is located within the secure De Goede Hoop Estate, with a limited amount of neighbouring residents and immediate access to nature trails and mountain routes. There is 24-hour security that includes camera surveillance and patrol vehicles, ensuring each tenants’ safety.
- Spending time in the master suite with its large glass windows and doors that slide all the way open for some indulgent mountain gazing.
- The privacy of the property, that allows you to recline on loungers and freely frolic outside without any of the neighbouring properties in sight. That wonderful feeling of seclusion, yet within reach of everything you need.
- As well as the resident chickens and geese, the birdlife is amazing. Plenty of eagles and hawks that catch the afternoon breeze (that never manages to reach the house making it delightfully wind-free!!) and the occasional owl tweeting from the branches.
What you need to know…
- Veronica and Vincent reside on the property in a little separate house. They will assist with the daily housekeeping and maintenance of the property.
- There are twenty residents in total, residing on the five-acre estate. It’s sublimely quiet and tranquil, like any retreat should be.
- Silvermine’s hiking trails are within walking distance of the property. The whole of the mountain amphitheatre belongs to the estate. 8km mountain trails stretch within the estate, leading to a gate that escorts you onto the Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak and Silvermine routes.
- Cape Town’s city centre is no more than a 45-minute drive away, along one of the most scenic routes in the world.
- Noordhoek Village is only 20 metres from the estate’s entrance. Where Chef Franck Dangereux’s Foodbarn Restaurant is, together with The Roost Coffee Shop, Kristen’s decadent ice-cream, a pub and a playground, a delicatessen, souvenir shops and a yoga studio too.
- For a pint or two of a delicious craft beer, Aegir Brewery is no more than a 5-minute drive away, where the fabulous Italian eatery, Limoncello also sits, beneath the milkwoods.
- All major supermarkets and large convenience stores are located at the Long Beach Shopping Mall – a 10-minute drive from the property.
- If Birch House is not available on your dates, browse our full collection of exclusive-use holiday houses in Noordhoek.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie