Eastern Free State Open Gardens 2025

This November and December, visit two beautiful private gardens near Ficksburg – Boschfontein Farm and Rensburghoek. Open on select weekends, these peaceful spaces offer terraced landscapes, mountain views, forests, and cherry orchards. Enjoy plant sales, picnic spots, and a relaxed day in nature.

Saturday 15 – Sunday 16^th November and Saturday 22– Sunday 23 November

BOSCHFONTEIN FARM, FICKSBURG

Essex and Janet Barrett

Boschfontein’s 1885 sandstone farm-house is surrounded by a variety of large trees, shrubs, roses, azaleas, hydrangeas and agapanthus and other frost-sensitive plants. The terraced garden has hidden nooks providing tranquility. There are magnificent views of the Lesotho mountains. A sandstone reservoir fed by mountain springs waters the garden and serves as a swimming pool.

Time: 9:00-16:00

Tickets: R50 towards local charity. Cash at the gate.

Directions: About 12 km from Ficksb urg/30 km from Fouriesburg (on the R26), there is a turnoff with signboards for Sandstone Estate, Boschfontein, Kromdraai, Charlie’s Cherry Products and Stars of Sandstone. There are also old tractors and a windmill at the turn off to the gravel road. From there, follow the gravel road straight over the railway line, keeping right. Drive past a staff village and through an avenue of tall poplars. Carry on along this road until you see the red roofed main house about 3 km from the tar road. Note: Boschfontein and Rensburghoek are relatively close to each other.

Enquiries: Janet Barrett 083 654 9952

info@boschfonteinmountainlodge.co.za

Plant sales

Food and drink

Picnic spots

Saturday 29 November and Saturday 6 December, Saturday 25 April 2026 and 2 May 2026

RENSBURGHOEK THE WAY OF LIFE

Elsie de Jager and Salome Prinsloo

Protected by mountains, imbedded between forests, meadows and cherry orchards, this terraced and landscaped garden flourishes in its secluded tranquillity attracting unique birdlife. Intriguing topography with a great variety of trees and plants ensures shade and hideouts, contrasting the open lawns with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Time: 9:00-17:00

Tickets: R50

Directions: About 18 km from Ficksburg/28 km from Fouriesburg (on the R26), there is a turnoff with signboards RENSBURGHOEK GUEST FARM. Turn onto the narrow gravel road and continue straight through an iron gate and between some outer buildings for 1 km to the main entrance and parking area. Note: Boschfontein and Rensburghoek are relatively close to each other.

Enquiries: Elsie de Jager and Salome Prinsloo 082 572 7713 and 079 519 6595

E-mail: saamstroom@gmail.com

www.thewayoflife.co.za