Elgin Open Gardens 2025
Saturday 1 November – Sunday 2 November and
Saturday 8 November – Sunday 9 November
Times: 9:30-16:00
Enquiries: Barbara Knox-Shaw 021 844 0154/078 021 2101 or Jessie Walton 083 458 3790
The Stone Kitchen
Jane Touwen
E22 Essenhout Avenue, Klipkop
Mature waterwise organic garden on rocky, sandy koppie with pergolas, indigenous plantings, olive trees, organic permaculture kitchen garden, stone and cob building.
Entry: R20.
Charity: Humane Education Trust, GAWS.
Directions: From Grabouw Main Road, turn up opposite FNB. Turn left at T-junction into Bosbou/ Forest Drive, then first right into Karee through stone pillars. First right into Celtis and first left into Essenhout.
Enquiries: 021 859 2282/062 529 2558
Freshwoods
Peter and Barbara Knox-Shaw
off N2
Rambling, romantic plantsman’s garden with major collection of heritage and species roses, many rare trees and shrubs, some wild-collected, including rhododendrons, serrata and wild hydrangeas, deutzias and over 80 Japanese maples. There is also collections of cyclamen, epimediums and lilies, and a woodland garden under the pine trees. Bamboo walk.
Entry: R50, children 2-12 half-price.
Directions: From Cape Town, take the 2nd right turn off on the N2 after Peregrine Farmstall.
Enquiries: 021 844 0154/078 021 2101
- Limited wheelchair access
- Plant sales
- Food and drink
Lavenham
Norma Bridgman
Viljoenshoop Road
A picturesque, look-alike Anne Hathaway thatched cottage set in a large peaceful woodland garden with extensive lawns, roses, herbaceous borders and groundcovers.
Entry: R30
Charity: Elgin Animal Welfare.
Directions: 2km from N2 along Viljoenshoop Road.
Enquiries: 021 848 9060, 072 355 1613.
Elgin Vintners Guest House
Marisa Kleinhans
Appletiser Road
A beautifully restored formal garden from the 1920s with original stonework, wisteria pergola, rose beds, and oak copses. Trees include a mature Magnolia grandiflora and a huge tulip tree.
Magnificent views.
Entry: Free
Charity: GAWS.
Directions: 5 km from the N2 on Appletiser Road. Follow the signs for Elgin Vintners.
Enquiries: 021 848 9587
- Limited wheelchair access
- Wine tasting
- Food and drinks
Keurbos Nursery Garden and SONOP
Jessie Walton
Restanwold Farm, Highlands Road
A large natural garden designed for birds, with both indigenous and exotic sections as well as acer and heritage rose beds and a large nursery area. Collections of bulbs and buchus, acers and azaleas, rhododendrons, heritage roses and more. Sonop is a 3 ha section of old contoured farmland which is being rehabilitated with indigenous planting. Bring walking shoes if you would like to see a work in progress. A tractor and trailer leaves every half hour to take you there.
Entry: R40 (both gardens included).
Tractor to Sonop R10
Directions: 8 km from N2 on Highlands Road
Charity: Bird Research & GAWS
Enquiries: 083 458 3790, www.jessiewalton.com
- Plant sales
- Limited wheelchair access
- Food and drink
- Picnic spots
Auldearn
Jenny Simpson
Highlands Road
A plantswoman’s hilltop garden that skilfully mixes unusual indigenous and exotic plants with a focus on colour combinations. Panoramic views over the Kogelberg biosphere are framed by informal mixed plantings dominated by flowering cherries and roses. Also two ponds and a stream.
Entry: R50 includes tea and rosemary biscuits.
Charity: Grabouw Animal Welfare Society.
Directions: 8.5 km from N2 on Highlands Road.
Enquiries: 083 500 0276
- Plant sales
- Limited wheelchair access
- Food and drink
Houw Hoek Outspan
Peter and Tessa Goemans
Houw Hoek, off N2
This ever-changing garden boasts fantastic views of the Houw Hoek mountains. Each year massed annuals are planted in the borders of colourful beds reminiscent of the English garden style. There are over 300 roses and many interesting plants that encourage a vibrant bird population.
Entry: Donations appreciated
Directions: From N2 head for Houw Hoek Hotel, then turn right at the hotel.
Enquiries: 082 740 3590
- Food and drink
- Picnic spots
Wildekrans Country House
Barry Gould and Alison Green
Houw Hoek
This diverse and informal garden offers storyboards, streams and water ponds, old heirloom roses, shaded lawns with old majestic trees, olive groves, fruit trees, indigenous beds, abundant birdlife and contemporary sculptures.
Entry: donations to The Bot River Education Fund.
Directions: Off the N2 at Houw Hoek Hotel, turn left at the Hotel.
For wheelchair entrance, please phone on arrival.
Enquiries: 028 284 9827, info@wildekrans.co.za
- Wheelchair access
- Food and drink
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