Elgin Open Gardens 2026

Step into the beauty of the Elgin Valley during Elgin Open Gardens 2026, taking place over two weekends, from Saturday 31 October to Sunday 1 November, and again from Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 November. From established woodland gardens and formal rose terraces to indigenous landscapes, organic kitchen gardens and working nurseries, each venue offers a unique experience. Visitors can enjoy plant sales, food and refreshments, wine tasting, scenic picnic spots and the opportunity to support a range of local charities.

• Times: 9.30-16:00
• Tickets: Vary from garden to garden 
• Enquiries: Barbara Knox-Shaw 078 021 2101 or Jessie Walton 083 458 3790
• Email: info@elginopengardens.co.za 
• Website: www.elginopengardens.co.za 

THE STONE KITCHEN

Jane Touwen

E22 Essenhout Ave, Klipkop 

A mature waterwise organic garden on a rocky, sandy koppie with pergolas, indigenous plantings, olive trees; organic permaculture kitchen garden, stone and cob building. 

Directions: From Grabouw Main Rd, turn up opposite FNB; left at T-junction into Bosbou/Forest Drive, 1st right into Karee through stone pillars, 1st right into Celtis and 1st left into Essenhout. 

• Food by arrangement only. 
• Tickets: R20. 
• Charity: Humane Education Trust, GAWS. 
• Enquiries: 021 859 2282 or 062 529 2558 

FRESH WOODS 

Peter and Barbara Knox-Shaw

An award-winning, rambling plantsman’s garden with a romantic character, featuring an extensive collection of heritage and species roses. The garden is also home to rare trees and shrubs, including rhododendrons, serrata and wild hydrangeas, deutzias, and more than 80 Japanese maples.

Further highlights include collections of cyclamen, epimediums and lilies, as well as a woodland garden set beneath a striking pine and bamboo walk.

Directions: From Cape Town, take the 2nd right turn off the N2 after Peregrine Farmstall. 

• Tickets: R50, children 2-12 half-price.
• Charity: GAWS. 
• Limited wheel chair access  
• Plant sales  
• Food and drink  
• Enquiries: 021 844 0154 or 078 021 2101.

FAIRHOLME

Mary Maurel

A large, multi-faceted garden with magnificent views across the valley, showcasing many of the plants grown at Fairholme Nursery.

Formerly the home of Duncan and Liz Henderson, Fairholme is now home to their daughter, garden designer Mary Maurel. Highlights include a woodland garden, a 100-metre walkway, a pool terrace, several grass gardens, a formal rose garden, a newly constructed eco-pool and a recently added meadow orchard.

Directions: From the N2 to Viljoenshoop Road. 

• Tickets: Entry R50. 
• Charity: Sophia Sonke. 
• Limited wheelchair access  
• Plant sales  
• Food and drink  
• Enquiries: 084 600 2636 
• Website: www.fairholme.co.za

WINDERMERE

Mike and Roxy Gates 

Viljoenshoop Road

Dating from 1937, this was the first Elgin garden to open to the public. It was created by Lady Lucie Bourne, whose skilful combination of formal and naturalistic plantings, stone terraces, winding stone paths, mixed borders, island beds, and bluebell wood had a great influence on other gardeners in the valley. Some of the original cherries sent from England have survived, as have many trees and shrubs. The new owners are keen to restore the garden to its former glory and have already cleared decades of overgrown bush to reveal the original stone terraces and paths.

• Tickets: R40. 
• Limited wheelchair access  
• Food and drink  
• Enquiries: 082 455 9364. 

LAVENHAM

Norma Bridgman

A picturesque, look-alike Anne Hathaway thatched cottage set in a large, peaceful woodland garden with extensive lawns, roses, herbaceous borders and groundcovers. 

Directions: 2 km from N2 along Viljoenshoop Road. 

• Tickets: R30. 
• Charity: Elgin Animal Welfare. 
• Enquiries: 021 848 9060 or 072 355 1613. 
• Limited wheelchair access  

ELGIN VINTNERS GUEST HOUSE

Marisa Kleinhans

A beautifully restored formal garden from the 1920s with original stonework, a wisteria pergola, rose beds, and oak copses. Trees include a mature Magnolia grandiflora and a huge tulip tree. Magnificent views. Elgin Vintners wine tasting and sales; wood-fired pizzas and seasonal specials. 

Directions: 5 km from the N2 on Appletiser Road; follow the signs for Elgin Vintners. 

• Free entry 
• Charity: GAWS. 
• Enquiries: 021 848 9587 
• Website: www.elginvintners.co.za 
• Limited Wheelchair access  
• Food and drink
• Wine Tasting  

KEURBOS NURSERY GARDEN AND SONOP RESTANWOLD FARM

Jessie Walton

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 boegoes, acers and azaleas, rhododendrons, heritage roses and more. Sonop is a 3 ha section of old, contoured farmland that is being rehabilitated with indigenous plantings. Bring walking shoes if you would like to see a work in progress. A tractor and trailer leave every half hour to take you there. 

• Tickets: R40 (both gardens included). Tractor to Sonop R10. 
• Charity: GAWS. 
• Enquiries: 083 458 3790 
• Limited wheelchair access  
• Plant sales  
• Food and drink  
• Picnic spots  

AULDEARN

Jenny Simpson

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. 

Directions: 8.5km from N2 on Highlands Road.

• Tickets: R50 includes tea and rosemary biscuits.
• Charity: Grabouw Animal Welfare Society.
• Enquiries: 083 500 0276 
• Limited Wheelchair access
• Plant sales  
• Food and drink 

HOUW HOEK OUTSPAN

Peter and Tessa Goemans

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 other interesting plants that attract a vibrant bird population. Tea/coffee and cake on the stoep. Homemade chicken wraps and pies for lunch, booking preferred at goemans@twk.co.za. Donations appreciated. 

Directions: From N2 as for Houw Hoek Hotel, then turn right at the hotel.

• Enquiries: 082 740 3590 
• Picnic spots  
• Food and drink  

WILDEKRANS COUNTRY HOUSE

Barry Gould and Alison Green

Step through the gate of this historical 1811 property with its diverse and informal garden nestled at the foot of the Houw Hoek Mountains, which offers streams and water ponds, shaded lawns to stretch out on under old majestic trees, olive groves, fruit trees, indigenous beds, abundant birdlife and in between all of nature’s beauty. Contemporary sculptures quietly take residence here. Country-style food and farm shopping at the Barn.

Directions: Off the N2 at Houw Hoek Hotel, turn left at the Hotel. 

• Enquiries: 028 284 9827 info@wildekrans.co.za 
• Wheelchair access  
• Food and drink  
• Donations to The Bot River Education Fund.