A blissful Bishopscourt beauty at the foot of table mountain, Mount Norwich is ensconced in the tranquil surrounds of Cape Town’s most affluent, leafy suburb.
Settled on just under two acres of tiered lawns and blooming indigenous gardens, tall trees shading the tennis court and its accompanying pavilion, a heated swimming pool and trampoline, surrounded by the theatre of the mountain’s landscape, Mount Norwich is the ideal residence for multigenerational families to gather. The verdant, suburban bliss of Bishopscourt, only fifteen minutes from the centre of Cape Town, is one of the most admired destinations in the city, for its abounding natural beauty and state-of-the-art properties.
Mount Norwich makes a bold statement upon arrival. Its contemporary, linear form beckons you in to a hideaway that’s fit for a clan of as many as 16. Its mammoth, open-plan living, dining and entertaining spaces spread themselves across the welcoming level of the home. The main foyer escorts you into a beautiful kitchen and family room, a fully-equipped gym and cinema room. Chaperoned by a formal drawing room, a bar and games room that all lead out, through the large open doors, onto the verandah. Compartmentalised into comfortable reclining, dining and seating areas, all around the swimming pool that’s heated throughout the year. The seven ensuite bedrooms rest upstairs, some with their own balconies that overlook the garden. A little kitchenette for those too lazy to venture downstairs to prepare that morning brew. There is a separate little flatlet on the ground level in the event that an extra bed is needed.
The home has been consciously designed with an African stamp emblazoned on its interiors. Courtesy of Kelly Adami from Copperleaf Studio, and furnishings from Pezula Interiors, Cécile and Boyd, and Weylandts. All carrying an individual colourful theme into every room. Signature pieces of art by revered South African artists hang on the walls, adding to the African narrative. All cradled in the luxury of contemporary refinement.
As it with most things that come in state-of-the-art packages, there’ll be very little luxury stone left unturned, or activity overlooked during your stay at Mount Norwich. The perfect family home for those special family holidays. You’ll navigate your itinerary at a leisurely pace. Exploring the Cape and her great peninsula, the Constantia winelands, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and of course the beaches that are a swift drive away. For all of the other hours you’ll be spending quality time with one another on the tennis courts, picnics on the lawn, relays in the swimming pool, relaxing on the verandah as some perfect the trampoline routines. Lapping up the magnificent views of the mountain throughout the day. When night falls and the evening escapades ensue, it’ll be off to the cinema and games rooms. And a few final tipples in the bar before signing off in one of the heavenly suites. Where you’ll slip into a slumber so pacifying, you’ll rise before the birds with more vigour than ever before.
What we love!
- Mount Norwich offers all of the necessary luxuries that a good family holiday requires. Daily housekeeping, with the property managers residing in the adjacent garage cottage. Plenty of swimming pool toys and inflatables. Tennis racquets and balls. And loads of lovely seating areas around the property to feel the tranquility of the home.
- Laying a blanket down on the lawn, beneath the trees and catching some afternoon winks, with shrills of laughter from the kids echoing around the garden and up to the mountain.
- With its open-plan flow, the home welcomes a lot of natural light and mountain air that engulfs all of the living spaces.
- Late afternoons on the verandah, listening to the Egyptian geese and the occasional fish eagle flying over the property.
What you need to know…
- As mentioned, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in the property. From the gym, to the tennis court – which has its own little indoor and outdoor pavilion for you to spectate, sip and feast from. The heated swimming pool and trampoline, as well as the cinema and entertainment room. There’s also enough space for the kids to play soccer in the garden.
- The property unfortunately is not equipped with wheelchair access and there are a number of stairways to navigate around the home.
- Mount Norwich sits within the hilly suburb of Bishopscourt – a mere 15-minute drive from Cape Town’s city centre.
- Cape Town’s Constantia wine region – home to some of the country’s finest restaurants and wine estates – is a 10-minute drive away. Take a short drive and explore all that the region has to offer including Buitenverwachting, Beau Constantia (spectacular views of the valley), Steenberg Vineyards – that’s home to Bistro Sixteen82 and Catharina’s – and of course Silvermist Wine Estate where La Colombe’s kitchen cooks up the most iconic and internationally acclaimed menus in South Africa.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie