What a wonderful evening at The Cellar at Penhill!
We were spoiled with homemade raviolis better and tastier than in most restaurants in Italy!
We could tell that the oxtail we had had many hours in good red wine – soft, tasty, delicious.
And I am tempted to say: the homemade Malva pudding was the best I ever had.
Thank you for an excellent service and a great dining experience.

We returned to Penhill after about three years to find our favourite cottage still as magical as before.
The views, the birds, the occasional tortoise and the calm made our stay memorable like last time. The wood fired hot tub and the splash pool were much appreciated.
Adder bonus; the chef and staff who spoiled us and made us only use the kitchen to make tea

We arrived at Penhill for a special family gathering to celebrate a significant birthday and right from the first minute we were welcome and cared for by the wonderful staff. The setting, gardens and Manor House was idylic and made this a very memorable time for us as family. We cannot recommend Penhill enough.

Our family weekend at Penhill Farm was a dream come true. We stayed at the Pepper Tree Cottage, a beautiful retreat tucked away in nature. Every morning began with the soft sound of birds singing and stunning mountain views greeting us — it was pure tranquility.
This trip gave us the chance to pause, reconnect, and enjoy each other’s company. The cottage itself was the perfect mix of luxury and coziness, one of the best accommodation experiences we’ve had.
A huge part of what made our stay so special was the warm hospitality of Executive Chef and Duty Manager, Kaylin. From the unforgettable birthday dinner he prepared for myself and my son, to the thoughtful cake, hearty English breakfast, and a gourmet picnic basket, every detail was done with care. He also curated activities just for our family of four, making the experience feel personal and unique.
It was truly hard to leave this slice of heaven behind, but one thing is certain — we’ll be back for more.

Our family weekend at Penhill’s Manor House was spectacular. The serene surroundings were really good for our souls and we came back feeling refreshed and full of good memories. The staff took excellent care of us with sumptuous breakfasts and a lavish afternoon tea. They also gave us great advice for hiking and, indeed, the views from the top of the mountain were magnificent. We enjoyed kayaking, tennis and mountainbiking. There is so much to do at Penhill but even if you just want a slow weekend this place is ideal. My folks have mobility issues and they just enjoyed sitting by the log fire. Thank you Penhill for your gracious gift to us. We will treasure it always!

The location is beautiful, the accommodation excellent, and our hosts were friendly and went the extra mile to make everything perfect. We had an awesome time.

[via Conservio]

One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited in my life. This farm is unbelievably serene. The gardens are perfectly manicured and you can hear so many different bird sounds all over.

[via Conservio]

As a bridal make-up artist, I have the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful wedding venues our city has to offer. However, Pen Hill stands out on its own. The stunning farmhouse style and the exquisitely maintained gardens provide an incredible backdrop for wedding photos. I highly recommend this special place to all future brides.

We booked out the whole of Penhill Farm and stayed for two days in September 2022. All Penhill’s houses / Lodgings were wonderful and very well furnished. The facilities / braai area accommodated us all easily and we had a great weekend. We also had dinner provided by Penhill and set up inside for all 23 people which was very well received and all arranged in advance. It is just a beautiful setting with lots of historic accommodation and stunning views.
The service , food , accommodation and wine tasting were all of excellent quality and we had a wonderful time.

Dear Frikkie,
Your ears must have been constantly burning over the past week and a bit.  The Clan has done nothing but praise you and the amazing experience we had at Penhill Farm.  You and this beautiful place are indivisible, woven into the narrative of this unforgettable family get together.
From the first time Caryn and I came to see you to the last breakfast on Monday morning before we left, you and your team showed us so much ‘love’.
You are an amazing chef, host, hotelier, intuitive and social animal.  You slotted seamlessly into our huge family and I can’t even begin to count the number of times I heard your name on everybody’s lips…You were the fixer, the nurturer, the entertainer and the safety blanket.  Thanks for the huge bowl of plain pasta and the indulgence of every like and dislike of these 24 humans that descended on you.
I am not even sure we will go to Turkey as planned next June!  When asked, everybody said that they would happily go back to Penhill….in the mean time Charles and I are off to Istanbul this evening, ever so slightly unburdened by the obsession to find the perfect hotel(s) for intended family trip. What the heck..there is the perfect fall back if it all becomes too much.

Lots of love to you and your beautiful team….

Tannie Bettie and Bruce are very much included.

We chose Penhill for our special day based on a few guidelines we set out that represent us as a couple and experiences we wanted our guests to enjoy. We saw +- 20 other venues, all of them felt commercial. Within 5 minutes of doing a recce at Penhill we knew it was the one.  We wanted a getaway weekend away from city that was focused on the outdoors with lush gardens and simplistic luxury, privacy and exclusivity.

The flexible and free nature of the farm meant we could add as much or as little decor as we wanted and use any space we connected with as our ceremony location. We chose the big oak tree near the Manor House as “nature’s church”.

The farm itself is a true experience and almost every single guest had something good to say about the venue.  We signed on the dotted line after experiencing chef Frikkie’s dishes – after all, food makes or breaks a good wedding.  There are too many things to mention on what makes Penhill so magical, but it’s really the little things.  Frikkie was always ready to help us with questions, visits, lunches and he truly became a friend in the process. I fell sick with a bug on our big day and he was so concerned and even got me meds to help me get through it all.

Thank you to the Penhill staff and family that made our day one we will not forget. We still rave about how stunning the farm is.

As a South African and former lifestyle copywriter, I am fortunate to be familiar with the exceptional hospitality the Western Cape offers. Even with this high standard in mind, Penhill Farm exceeded all expectations for our company’s annual summit. Feedback from my team confirmed that our stay at Penhill was not only a treat but a truly unique experience.
When tasked with finding a setting that broke away from the typical corporate summit — no hotel rooms, no conference venues, but rather something intimate, private, and distinctly non-traditional — I initially thought it might be an impossible brief. Then I discovered Perfect Hideaways, who recommended Penhill Farm. It turned out to be exactly what we were looking for.
From the outset, working with Frikkie was a pleasure. Communication was seamless, and even complex dietary requirements were met with enthusiasm and ease. The food was exceptional — abundant, delicious, and thoughtfully prepared.
Bruce’s hospitality was outstanding. He consistently went above and beyond, always with a smile and a warm demeanour. A personal highlight was when I had a flat tyre. One of the groundsmen immediately stepped in to help without hesitation, even offering to take the tyre into town for repairs — all while I stood by, rather uselessly, in awe of his willingness to assist.
The accommodations were flawless. The manor house and cottages are impeccably designed and maintained, offering luxury, comfort, and functionality. The rooms were well-appointed with every amenity we could possibly need, and daily servicing ensured that everything remained pristine.
The grounds are stunning, with immaculate gardens and abundant wildlife. Waking up to birdsong, encountering tame ducks and tortoises, and soaking in the serene surroundings made the experience all the more special.
Thanks to Penhill, our company summit was set to a standard that will be incredibly hard to match — so much so that we may very well return next year.
Thank you, Penhill Farm, for the perfect stay and for creating such a special experience!

ELO’s farm is a perfect example of a Luxury Gentleman’s Cape Dutch Estate where the owner is determined to maintain a property in excellent working order. The main house and cottages are authentically decorated in a modern Cape Dutch Style with beautiful South African art on display too. The garden and extended grounds are a joy to behold and a sensory delight. We had a dream intimate celebration for kids and grandkids for my mum’s 80th. Frikkie and Bruce were consummate hosts, no request was too big or too small to tend to. We elected for the full catered option and we were not disappointed. In fact I would give the food a six star rating. Generous portions and scrumptious recipes were produced with miracle speed by Frikkie in a tiny kitchen with a small staff compliment. I can recommend the hike to the look-out point. It was worth the steep incline. Highly recommend this property and really, there was not a single thing to complain about!

The property was well-kept and enticing. The cottage came with all the expected amenities, it was comfortable and spacious. The hot tub was filled and ready to go. There was sufficient wood for the hot tub and fireplace. The braai came with charcoal and firelighters. The property had many different activities with all the required equipment, including a tennis court, cycling, and kayaking on the small dam. The location is peaceful and surrounded by pristine bush. The breakfast with brilliant and a complete surprise.

There wasn’t a document with the wifi code, and by the time we realised that we didn’t have it in the cottage, it was too late to ask. Guess that’s a good sign, though. One of the TV remotes had food messed on it, easy to miss. We were not sure if the property composted organic waste and would have been happy if that was the case.

[via Agoda]

Prachtig huis, heel verzorgd.

Helaas werd er niet mee gedacht in de ontbijt en diner keuze’s en met name voor onze dochter. Wij waren de enige gasten en bij het inchecken zagen ze duidelijk dat we met een 4 jarige waren en bij het diner werd er niets voor haar voorgesteld, er stond niet eens een bord klaar. We kregen een verassing menu wat trouwens heerlijk was maar helaas niets voor onze dochter, de volgende ochtend bij het ontbijt werd er niet overlegd waar ze ons blij mee konden maken maar in plaats daarvan kregen we een grote schaal met worst, spek, champignons voorgeschoteld, niets van dit alles eten wij in de ochtend dus dood zonde dat we er niets van hebben gegeten. Toen we vroegen of ze iets voor onze dochter hadden of iets konden maken, een simpele toast met avocado bijv. Werd er lachend gezegd; ‘nee helaas we hebben niets en moeten boodschappen doen’ , vooral aangezien we de enige gasten waren, hadden we verwacht dat er de aandacht zou zijn maar helaas.

[via Agoda]

It’s a beautiful and peaceful farm. The West Grange apartment was lovely and well-appointed. It was wonderful to have a daily cleaning service. We had stayed once before in the Fruit Barn which we preferred as it is a self-contained cottage. The Swedish hot tub was lovely on the cool evenings. We enjoyed the walks, paddling on the dam, tennis and boules. We also enjoyed travelling to Saggy Stone Brewery, the Bistro at Rooiberg and Nuy on the Hill for lovely meals.

We were in West Grange. The couch is very comfortable but the two other chairs in the lounge are not easy to sit on, we moved in two of the outdoor chairs instead as we are a family of four. Outdoors areas are nice. West Grange is semi-detached and unfortunately the last night we had noisy neighbours with loud music, but otherwise the preceding few days were fine. We didn’t know about the Cellars restaurant as this has changed since last we visited, it would have been nice to have information in the cottages about the farm walks, dam, the restaurant and surrounding areas.

[via Agoda]

Food was excellent.
Beds were a little hard, and pillows a little soft.

[via Agoda]

TOTAL relaxation was always the plan. Weekends away sometimes run the risk of becoming over-thought, with every minute and every hour accounted for with an itinerary of eating, drinking, activities in the area, and whatnot.  Sure, you can do all that at Penhill Farm but you don’t have to.

“It’s rare to find a country retreat as unique and authentic as Penhill Farm Estate. A scenic 75-minute drive away from Cape Town, you’ll spot its towering twin palms long before the outcrop of white-washed buildings set on endless emerald lawns comes into view. This stunning oasis set in the Nuy Valley offers guests a perfect escape into Karoo living,” says the website’s home page.

First of all, I don’t know what speed those people drive, or from whence they depart, but the drive is closer to two and a half leisurely hours including at least one pit stop. There’s about five kilometres of gravel road at the end of the journey, and I wish every gravel road was as nice as this one. Lawdy, I hate those rutted ones which threaten to shake your teeth loose, never mind what it’s doing to your car which is not a farm bakkie.

My expectation for this trip was to do as little as possible. For example, on the second evening I took the cheeses and accompaniments out the fridge, put them on the kitchen table and declared supper was ready. The wine was already open and poured.

Penhill has a four-bedroomed Manor House, and four two-bedroomed self-catering “cottages”; cottage is defined as a small house so that’s entirely subjective. Our cottage, Pepper Tree, is bigger than what I call my house, where I live. Pepper Tree is set away from the other accommodations. It overlooks a dam in the front, and the mountains at the back, with a private garden, swimming pool, Weber braai, and a wood-fired hot tub which became Yolandi’s mission for the duration of our stay.

Pepper Tree is the oldest dwelling in the Nuy Valley, built from mud bricks, poplar beams and thatch. The living area is open plan, with a well-equipped kitchen and closed combustion fireplace. Both bedrooms are en-suite, and there’s an outside shower. The second bedroom can be set up with twin beds, or pushed together as a double.

When it comes to food, you can obviously do your own thing, but you can also amble over to The Cellars restaurant by arrangement where Frikkie Janse van Rensburg will prepare you a meal of epic proportions, served family style. On the Friday night we dined on bread with local butter and silky chicken liver pâté, followed by oxtail, chicken roulade, samp with parmesan, green beans, and aubergine with crispy onions. Dessert was a massive chocolate lava cake with whipped cream.

The next morning we were back for breakfast; I said Frikkie didn’t need to bother with the fruit and muesli and yoghurt for me, I would go directly to the hot option. Which was thick slices of French toast with bacon, fresh figs and syrup. Other than going to Nuy Winery for lunch, that was about the sum of it. We read, Louise hunted bugs, Yolandi nurtured the hot tub and also went for a walk in the mountains at some point, making her the most active of us. We drank a bit, kuiered with Frikkie (whom I’ve known since before he came to Penhill), made fires in the kitchen and hot water bottles (thoughtfully provided) for bed time.

The peace, the quiet, the sheer beauty of it – plus the company of most excellent friends, the comfort and luxury – made for one of the best weekends away in a long time.

Winter and off-peak season means discounted rates, and the weather really shouldn’t discourage you. We had both kinds: warm and sunny, cool and rainy, and both were equally appreciated.

Beautiful peaceful farm setting loved the Swedish hot tub and used the tennis courts.

Dam was a bit algae-sludgy flies – expected in a farm setting- but loved the fly swatter- best one I’ve ever used!

[via Agoda]

Penhill is a lovely farm. The gardens are immaculate and the dam with canoes and cute ducks are a nice addition. The tennis court has the best views and the units are well designed and very comfortable with lovely touches with a farm/Karoo feel yet classy. We also enjoyed tasty breakfasts at The Cellars. The hot tubs were a hit with the kids.

[via Agoda]

I am not really into making New Years Resolutions, but I have decided that 2017 is the year to make sure our holidays are booked well in advance! Last year we found ourselves making very last minute plans for the summer vacation, but as luck would have it, I discovered The Old Fruit Barn at Penhill Manor.

Penhill Manor Nuy Valley

Penhill Manor tucked away in the Nuy Valley between Worcester and Robertson, is what I call off the beaten track, a hidden gem if you like. It is somewhere you can go to escape city life. As well as offering extremely charming accommodation, the farm is a haven of peace and tranquillity. Beautifully manicured gardens are alive with bird and insect life. It does not get much better than this.

A variety of self-catering accommodation options sleeps from 4 to 8 people per cottage. Units offer a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, and sitting room. A great bonus, especially in the heat we experienced, is that all cottages have air-conditioning units! For winter months there is a wood burning stove. There is also satellite TV, WiFi, as well as a sound system available.

The Old Fruit Barn

The cottage we booked for our stay was The Old Fruit Barn, originally built in 1870. The original building converted into holiday accommodation, can sleep four people in two double bedrooms. Each bedroom also has an en-suite bathroom. It has a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, and sitting room. The decor is simple but stylish with an array of various artefacts.

Our cottage also had air-conditioning units in the bedrooms, as well as the living area. It also includes a wood burning stove, satellite TV, WiFi and a sound system. Although the cottage has been modernised, they have managed to retain its rustic charm. The only downside for me was that there is no dishwasher, units however are serviced daily.

What we particularly loved about The Fruit Barn was the gorgeous pool area, which overlooks the beautiful gardens and magnificent Riviersonderend Mountains.

Activities on the Farm

There is a dam for swimming, fishing or paddling.  Various cottages offer either private swimming pools or jacuzzis. We spent most of our time in the pool during our stay, which was wonderful!

It was a bit too hot when we visited, but there is also a tennis court, including rackets and tennis balls for guests to use. For something a bit different why not try croquet on the lawn or a spot of Boule.

For the more energetic explore one of the hiking, running or Mountain bike trails {with six bikes available for guests use}.

I loved the fact that there are five wine estates, two olive farms and a local brewery in the Nuy Valley alone. We did not get a chance to do much tasting while we were there because of the public holidays but it is on the agenda for next time.

Closing Thoughts

The staff at Penhill were most accommodating and friendly! A great touch was a bottle of bubbly that was delivered to our door on New Year’s Eve – a definite win in my books. I am hoping to book a longer stay there soon and do more exploring in the area and perhaps a hike or two.