EXPLORING EXTENDED CAPE TOWN :

• The Alpaca Loom — petting zoo, coffee shop and weaving studio,

• James Sedgwick Whisky Distillery (Friday & Saturday whiskey pairings-- must book in advance through webtickets)

• Fynbos Guest Farm and Animal Sanctuary - an incredible place for a short trip or retreat with self catering cottages or camping, a prayer labyrinth, meditation room and various animals that can be fed and viewed - day tripsare also an option

• Ceres Rail Company — a steam train riding past orchards + snow in season

• Adene’s Flower Farm (Wolseley) – open up our farm to the public for visits from Middle December to the first week of April on Saturdays and Sundays (weekends only). Come and stroll through 5 hectares of 50,000 flowering Dahlias, 4000 Hydrangeas and many other variety of flowers in full bloom. Book ahead of time - info@adeneflowers.co.za

• Fynbos Guest Farm & Animal Sanctuary (Wolseley) – featuring a prayer labyrinth, meditation room, 2 km walk through fynbos, rescued animals (zebra, llamas, alpacas to horses, ostriches and springbok, and a whole lot of other interesting furry and feathered friends) and farm stall
  The Creative Hub – a space where creative people can meet, share ideas and inspire one another. Follow Facebook page for events

• The Hoogwater Cottage - end Nov - mid February, their fig & nectarine orchards are open to the public. During this time they run a pop up deli, offering coffee, homemade croissants, and cheese boards. Family friendly with playground

• Klondyke Cherry Farm — Nov-Dec is cherry picking season

• Camping — Petervale Guest Farm, Fairview Mountain Cottages, google for more!

• Snow – The Matroosberg Reserve or Klondyke Cherry Farm

• Paintball – The Matroosberg Reserve

RESTURANTS – 

• Harvest Table Bistro – follow Facebook page for events

• Homegrown Bakery Cafe & Market

• Meat Olive Deli – local sport with fresh produce, preserves and gifts

• Rietdakkie Farmstall – breakfast, light lunches, and something for the sweet tooth. You can buy fresh produce from the area as well as dried fruit from their own farm. Follow their Facebook page for events

• Tremor Coffee Bar – gluten free options

• Waverley Hills – farm to table with seasonal specials
  

TASTINGS -

• Loxtonia Cider Farm — cider tastings- email beforehand if they are available

• Duikersdrift Winelands Country Escape – Obiqua Cafe, Deli, beer and wine tastings & pairings, follow Facebook page for events

• Wine – Koelfontein & Waverley Hills

• Mountain Ridge Wines – family friendly restaurant and wine tasting, follow Facebook page for specials

• Breweries - Ceres Brewery & Buchanan’s Brewery
  

Short Drive -

Romansrivier — The Hoogwater Cottage - Every year between January and February, the Hoogwater Cottage opens their fig orchard to the public. During this time they run a pop up deli, offering coffee, homemade croissants, and cheese boards. There’s also a playground for the kids to have fun while you enjoy your figs in the shade.

Tulbagh — Raptor Rise — a working olive and cattle farm with several well-appointed accommodation options for discerning visitors, great for a getaway

Worcester is the location of a large YWAM Base we visit often, so we have gotten quite a few recommendations, but do note that many recommendations are a bit of a drive from Worcester :

• Bosjes Estate — one of my all time favorite places that must be experienced - from their restaurant with a beautiful porcelain Tree of Life mural, tea garden, stunning gardens to walk around inspired by Scripture and playgrounds for children and adults alike, hikes in the foothills with giraffes and other animals, they host events as well, on site spa, cafe - booking is advised - you can also book for a picnic (spens@bosjes.co.za), tours of the farm can be arranged if requested (they are a farm producing olives, wine grapes, peaches and proteas)

• Karoo Desert Botanical Gardens — wildflowers in bloom (mid July - October), keep an eye out for their tortoise and indigenous plants for sale

• Pure Boland Farmers Market (aka Groen Stoor) — first Saturday of the month (9-1 pm), the earlier you go, the better

• Goudini Spa – Natural Mineral Spring with accommodation and miniature golf, horseback riding, tennis, volleyball, arcade, etc. all of which is very family friendly

• If you visit YWAM Worcester, on Base there is swimming pool, mini golf, volleyball, prayer labyrinth, and a walk around the nearby dam is always nice !

• Mountain Mill Mall Park – between the mall and Base there is a park that you can pay to enter (R10 for adults) with spots to braai, play area, large grass lawns - its all well manicured and beautiful. Very popular on the weekends, so worth going early in the day

• Hiking – Karoo Desert Shale Trail, Jason’s Hill (Rawsonville - difficult hike, costs R50), Krom River and Elands River Hiking Trail (Du Toitskloof, summer hike, need to book)

• Mountain Biking — Conradie Penhill, De Wet Wine Cellar, Leipzig Country House

• 4x4 Routes - The Matroosberg Reserve (Ceres - must bring your own 4x4), Klipbokkop Mountain Reserve

• Worcester Art Museum — demonstrations on rolling tobacco, bread baking, soap making, candle making, coffee making, metal work and donkey cart rides. They also host events

• Fly Fishing – Dwarsberg Trout Haven, Du Kloof Lodge, etc.

• Du Kloof Lodge — on-site farm stall, as well as all the outdoor pursuits the daylight will allow you: invigorating swims in the river, mountain hikes, bird watching and mountaineering spots and places to braai, fly fishing

• Bloomia Tulip Farm in (Rawsonville) – This tulip farm is one of only two in the country, and you can take a guided tour of the fascinating premises. The nominal fee includes a bunch of tulips. By appointment only - phone Adriaan or Ananda 023 0040143

• Pasta Making Class – R800 pp for a full day training plus wine tasting

• Kleinplasie Open Air Museum – This living open air museum portrays the life style of the early pioneer farmers. Each building is representative of a certain agricultural industry in the Western Cape during the period 1690 to 1900

• Art & Wine Pairing – 3 hours of art & wine with an artist, R450 per person

• Olive & Wine Tasting Route —click that link for the map - it includes 14 locations for wine tastings plus olive tasting at Lions Creek Estate and Willow Creek
  

ALCOHOL TASTINGS : (in addition to the Wine & Olive Tasting Route

• Six Dogs Distillery – gin, contact to book via this email

• Saggy Stone Brewery & Restaurant

• Ou Stockery (Rawsonville) – wine, beer & gin bar (repackaged as Above and Beyond)

• Mountain Brewing Co. (at Klipbokkop Mountain Reserve)

• Monks Distillery (Breerivier) – gin, check Facebook page about hours
  

WINE ROUTE — Worcester Wine & Olive Route (join their Wine Club) or there is the Breedekloof Wine Valley Route

• Aan De Doorns (Worcester) - follow Facebook page for tasting info

• Botha Kelder (Worcester) - bookings for tastings & pairings are essential, follow Facebook page for events

• Cilmor Wines (Worcester) - tastings information on their website

• De Wet Cellar (Worcester) - tastings and harvest platters available, wine & cake pairings, follow Facebook page for events

• Eagle’s Cliff (Worcester) - all payments in cash

• Stettyn Cellar (Worcester) - check out their Facebook page for more info

• Badsberg Wine Cellar (Rawsonville) - they also host events throughout the year, follow their Facebook page for more

• Du Toitskloof Wines (Rawsonville) - dog friendly, book for groups larger than six, cheese boards must be arranged ahead, Ou Meul next door

• Jasons Hill Private Cellar (Rawsonville) - you can either pop by for an tasting, or a formal tasting with their winemaker. Cheese platters available 

• Slanghoek Wine Cellar (Rawsonville) - “Blend & Bottle” sessions, chocolate truffle & wine OR pesto & wine pairings. Check out art gallery.

• Conradie Family Vineyards (Nuy) - follow their Facebook page for events

• Leipzig Country House & Winery (Nuy) - tractor sundowner & wine tastings available - can book privately, follow Facebook page for events

• Nuy on the Hill (Nuy) - follow their Facebook page for more
  

RESTAURANTS :

• Fowler’s Grill — their best steak (my opinion) Steak Madeleine, open during loadshedding for pizzas – book ahead of time though by calling

• Hussar’s Grill – book ahead is recommended, open during loadshedding, often post deals on their Facebook page

• Opstal (Rawsonville) – bookings are advised

• Nuy on the Hill (Nuy) – pet friendly, wine, brandy and gin tastings available, have a stunning view of the valley 

• Saggy Stone Brewery & Restaurant (Robertson) – great pizza and beer - beautiful remote location

• Four Cousins (Robertson) – open until “late”, call for hours 023 615 1336

• Die Boord (Wolseley) – family friendly

• Seven Oaks (Wolseley) – vineyard with pop up restaurant called Salt of the Earth featuring new chefs every month, book here
  

BREAKFAST + SNACKS :

• The Barn – coffee shop and art gallery, follow Facebook page for events

• Beckhuis – cafe with lovely garden or indoor seating

• Daly Bread – best local spot for fresh bread

• Cafe Hugo & Roastery – must try their coffee milkshake

• My Cafe Hive Coffee Shop – follow their Facebook page for specials

• Slow Living – cozy coffee shop with home decor 

• The Veranda Bistro – follow their Facebook page for events

• Ou Meul (Rawsonville) – dog friendly, great cozy location when it rains but make sure to book ahead as inside seating is limited
  

LOCAL DEALS : 

• Hussar’s Grill - Tuesday night date night special

• Ou Stockery (Rawsonville) - last Wednesdays BOGO burger + fries for R99 (check Facebook to confirm)

• Die Stalle (Rawsonville) - have Winter Specials - check Facebook

Known as the valley of wine and roses

• Bourbon Street is a Wine and Dine experience

• Learn to blend wine at Excelsior Wine Estate and create your own bottle. Spend warm afternoons pairing wine with chocolate and cheese at well-known wineries such as Springfield Estate, Van Loveren Family Cellar, and the Rooiberg Wine Cellars. Or head to the Graham Beck Robertson Estate for divine bubbles.

• The Grand Hotel has a fantastic Cape Malay curry lunch

• Visit Owl’s Rest Olive and Lavender Farm for some delightful lavender products and try a range of tantalising olive products at Marbrin Olive Farm.

• Excelsior Wine Estate – enjoy farm to table treats at Graze deli, create your own bottle bline or do a wine tasting, follow Facebook page for events

• Van Loveren Family Cellar – tasting room with pairings (such ad chocolate, cheese, macaroons), cellar and garden tours, Christina’s Bistro

• Rooiberg Wine Cellars – Red Chair Bistro and wine tastings

• Mont Blois Wine State – really stunning tasting room

• Graham Beck Robertson Estate – known for their bubbles and wine - tasting room & harvest platters, follow Facebook page for events

• Owl’s Rest Olive and Lavender Farm – knowing for essential oils, olive oil, preserves and cordials.Tours, tastings and refreshments available 

• Marbrin Olive Farm – tastings by appointment only

• Four Cousins – brewery & wine tasting, very family friendly
  

Short Drive :

• Montagu Village Market — find food, antique tools and vintage bric-a-brac over the weekend

• Montagu — Hot Springs — located at Avalon Springs Resort, click here for day visitor info

• McGregor — Tanagra grappa distillery & wine tastings - call to book 023 625 1780

• McGregor — Lords Wines – another stunning wine tasting location

• Nuy — Willow Creek Olive Estate - experience a tasting of our complete product range which includes extra virgin olive oils, flavored olive oils, balsamic vinegars, table olives and olive pastes. Family friendly with a jungle gym. Picnic baskets can be purchased. Bookings are recommended for a group of 10 or more.

Quaint artist town

• Greyton Nature Reserve & Waterfall — drive up and see beauty! 

• Genadendal (a town over)- has the Moravian Missions Museum (first ever missions station- great historical spot)

• Farm Animal Sanctuary

• Gabrielskloof — a must stop restaurant on the way, farm to table glory

• Caledon Hot Springs — within Caledon Casino + Hotel is an oasis of mineral ponds, Zen gardens, floatation pools and saunas. The hotel often has package deals, but the rooms and restaurant aren’t that nice- so it would be better to stay at a local Airbnb. They also offer massage packages. To book, click HERE

• Victoria Wildflower Garden & Reserve — around September its especially spectacular

• Recommended Airbnb — Jané’s Place (fantastic for up to eight people!)