Idyllic country charm
Gluckingham Palace panders to those playful hearts that yearn for family bonding getaways in the Greyton countryside, where whimsical adventures unfold at the foot of the mountain.
It’s a wonderful notion to consider a laidback life, residing in the bountiful Overberg countryside. Reverting to the simple ways of bonny, barefoot days, frolicking around lush gardens, tending to the chickens, the bunny rabbits, the fish ponds and the vegetable gardens. Witnessing the Cape weavers mirroring your practices of tending to your own nests. Layering twig after twig, adding every essence of a family home. One of nature’s many marvels. Taking long walks along the river beds. Wading through the cool, revitalising currents as they flow around the pebbles, forming little rock pools that you’ll dip into and bob about in. Stroking the occasional wild horse that freely-roams the farm lanes. Dodging the cows’ droppings that they lazily leave behind for the dogs to get all excited about. Breathing in that fresh mountain air, and then standing still as you absorb their indomitable presence. A myriad of green and gold, burnt orange and beige canvas the landscape like a Constable painting. Cue the wagon and the quaint country cottages and we’re back in the late sixteenth century. That’s what Greyton has a way of doing to every resident and visitor that frequents this beautiful Overberg village. It escorts you back to a romantic era when all you can hear are birds and farm animals, all you can see are mountains and paddocks, and all you need to think about is what meal you’ll be feasting over next.Â
This is, at the very least, what happens when you arrive at Gluckingham Palace. A mother and her foal affectionately nod in recognition of your arrival from the side of the dirt road. Framing the romance of the image that stands before you. An old cottage converted into a contemporary farmhouse that comprises of three abiding elements; live, breathe and air. A mammoth Oggie door beckons you in to a voluminous open-plan living, dining, cooking and entertaining space, divided by a cobbled corridor. It’s apex ceiling with exposed timber and steel rafters open out across the rolling green lawn, over the white-walled swimming pool, the pond, the timber office and its wrap-around deck, the secret garden and vegetable patches, and all the way up to those magnificent Riviersonderend Mountain peaks. A scullery to make those friend and family getaways easy, a playroom and work station, a lovely long verandah, four wonderful ensuite bedrooms (all with their own TVs and aircon, and one being a great dorm for the kids with large bunkbeds), and an upstairs sun-lounging deck, all come together in perfect harmony with the natural surroundings.Â
Mellow country magic
After a sublime night’s sleep, you’ll rise from the glorious beds with the morning mist cloaking the valley like a veil. A delicious coffee in hand, you’ll greet the Brahma chickens as you saunter around the tranquil gardens together. Allowing the sun to burn off the veil, revealing a blue that mimics the pool. Time for that first dip of the day before breakfast. A slow walk into the village for another coffee and warm croissant. A visit to the local market if it’s Saturday, sourcing a curious mix of things. Perhaps a little horse ride or for those that prefer, a hike or mountain bike on the many nature trails in the mountains. So many sights to enjoy around the town, stopping off at the boutiques, art galleries and quaint little cafés. Back for another dip in the pool before preparing a late lunch on the lawn. Tables set and pizza oven alight. Some might prefer a crispy chop off the braai whilst others go all Italian. Croquet, cricket, jungle gym escapades and lilo lounging aplenty. Reading in the shade beside the pond or even taking the time to put finger to keyboard and drift off with your own memoir from the garden office. If inspiration from Gluckingham Palace doesn’t get you published, nothing will! Every element of this home binds together the bonding of those sacred family moments, that only come about when you’re immersed in that simple serenity. Letting the day gradually turn into night, the fireplaces warming the ambience, the SONOS sound system wafting through the open air, signalling to the stars to dance with your happy bare feet. Rooted to the rich African soil that sings in rhythm with your holiday hearts. Being reminded of all of the things that matter most.
What we love!
- Grant! The property manager who takes care of your holiday with an earnest heart. Ensuring the housekeeping needs are all attended to between 9am-1pm. He will also assist with your mountain hiking and biking trails. Bikes are available for rent from the Hub & Spoke Cafe . Grant resides in a little side cottage on the property.
- The birdlife adds to the tranquility of your stay. Resident Cape weavers, kingfishers, the delightful hoopoes and of course the chickens and the occasional owl that signals the time of night.
- Reclining beside the pond on a low-slung chair drifting off with a book, admiring the garden from this view point. Watching the family games unravel as you have your own little moment of gleeful observation.
- Being less than a two-hour drive from Cape Town, yet completely ensconced in a rural life, where the clocks really do slow down. Spending time at Gluckingham Palace is as good as a sabbatical. It recharges every vessel in need of topping up.
- Gathering around the table that sits in the pool house, beside the pizza oven. Shaded from the summer sun, yet able to dip in and out of the pool at your leisure.
- There’s always a social puzzle on the go, holding its place on the James Mudge dining table in the house. A fun, relaxing activity to intermittently engage in, throughout the hours of the day.
- You can walk everywhere you wish to go – just head out the gates and meander down the gravel roads to the village. Passing the free-roaming farm animals and the friendly local residents with their dogs.
- Enjoying a massage by the local therapist that makes a home visit to the garden. Set up beneath the eucalyptus tree beside the pond, allowing you to drift off with the mountain breeze. This can be arranged prior to your stay.
What you need to know…
- There are four cats that live on the property – mostly spending their time outdoors. They are delightfully laidback, and come and go as they please.Â
- Whatever the time of year, Greyton is always a wonderful place to visit as it suits every season, and unlike other places in the Western Cape, it is wind-free!
- For those Saturday brunches when you don’t feel like cooking, visit Heart & Soul – a vegetarian café that dishes up a harvest table from a quirky, renovated garage to your picnic blanket on the lawn.Â
- Visit the famous Saturday village market where the kids can take pony rides or paint their faces, while the art, the coffee, the craft beer and fresh berry cocktails entertain the others.
- The Hub & Spoke Café is a fun meeting ground for all of the active cycling enthusiasts, local or not, to gather and feast on some good, healthy, seasonal flavours.
- As with every farming village, it’s imperative that you visit the local pub, The Old Potters Inn is highly recommended by the owners as is their in-house brew the ‘Copper Cat.
- If Gluckingham Palace is not available on your dates, browse our full collection of exclusive-use holiday houses in Greyton.Â
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie