Checking In: Lekkerwijn Historic Country Guest House – Cape Winelands • South Africa

November 15, 2019
Author & Photographer: Teri Didjurgis

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LOVE IT. SHARE IT.

This post may contain affiliate links. (Disclosures)
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Lekkerwijn is a historic Cape Dutch Homestead set in the Cape Winelands. This BnB has history, great service, & the perfect locale.

Bed and Breakfast Homestead

FIRST IMPRESSION

Historic Charm & Great Location

THE SCENE

Country Living

THE ROOMS

Historic and roomy

PERKS

Spa on-site; Great Breakfast

The Location

Located in the heart of the Cape Winelands, the homestead is within 15 minutes of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl.

For me this was the perfect location to explore all three of the main town in the Cape Winelands.

This was my first stop in South Africa and I came direct from the Cape Town airport, just 30 minutes away. Post visit, I headed into Cape Town which is 45 minute away.

The History

The property dates back to 1690 when French Huguenot Ari L’Ecrivant was granted land. The French Hugenots were Protestants who came to Cape Town fleeing religious persecution in France. The land and winery passes hands several times in some colorful stories over the next 200 years.

In 1892, Cecil Rhodes buys Lekkerwijn and 29 bankrupt farms in the area and sets up Rhodes Fruit Farm with HEV Pickstone as his General Manager.

HEV Pickstone lives at Lekkerwijn and arranges to buy it from Rhodes in 1901, marries in 1907, and expands his family and the home onwards. Throughout the 20th, and continuing into the 21st Century, Lekkerwijn has been the family home to five generations of Pickstones, one of the Cape’s most prominent families.

The home is unique in having an inner courtyard thanks to several extensions of a growing family. The lore is also that as Dutch farms went bankrupt and/or derelict, Pickstone would save architectural features set to be demolished and work them into his own home. Make sure to check out the huge inset armoire in the dining room.

The Scene

The historic home showed off its charm from the moment I walked up with Dutch doors. I walked through several sitting areas (one for TV watching, one for dining and one with a grand piano) before going through another Dutch door to the inner courtyard.

There was no shortage of nooks and cozy areas to read a book or enjoy a glass of wine with friends.

The house attracted well-traveled guests and I had lovely conversation on the porch for sun-downers, breakfast and in-between.

The Rooms

My room was huge. A large VERY soft bed was centered with historic touches all around. Wood framed windows let the light pour through onto a well placed writing desk. The historic sink still sat in the room with charming Dutch blue tiles. The full size bathroom had a tub and a shower.

The Dining

Breakfast was served to order every day with a selection of eggs made to order, pancakes, toast and jams. Cooked fresh it was perfect to send you on your way to explore the Cape Winelands.

An honor fridge was setup with beers, water, wines and small snacks for late night raids.

Lekkerwijn also has several self-catering cottages that offer kitchenettes though breakfast can also be added.

In the Area

All the wine is at your fingertips. The house is literally in the center of the Winelands.

You can walk to Allee Bleue Estate as the Lekkerwijn property adjoins it.. The three major towns are all 15 minutes drive away.

Franschhoek – Town Centre

Allee Bleue Estate & Winery

Paarl – Fairview Winery

Final Thoughts

Some of my first impressions of Africa were from the movie Out of Africa. Though it was set and filmed in Kenya on a coffee plantation, this Dutch homestead reminded my of Karen Blixen’s Dutch home with nights on the porch listening to music and reading and the green rolling hills and romance of Africa.

Swap the coffee plantation for vines and this is what Lekkerwijn Country Guest House reminded me of. A gorgeous estate ideally located in the Cape Winelands. I had a hard time leaving to explore as the homestead felt like home. Perfect Cape Winelands accomodations.

My visit to this accomodation was independent and self-funded.
The recommendation and thoughts expressed are without compensation of any kind.

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Teri Didjurgis

Teri Didjurgis is a full-time traveler for over nine years visiting all 50 US States & 70+ countries. After 15+ years working in corporate America, she took the leap & started her own location independent businesses. She now explores the world looking for luxury escapes, historic destinations and ways to connect with communities on her travels through local traditions & cultural experiences. Welcome to her re-imagined American Dream: an inspired lifestyle with "Blue Sky" possibilities.