Kokstad Open Gardens 2023
Friday 3 – Sunday 5 November
East Griqualand, with its gentle farmed slopes and towering mountains exaggerates the beauty of spring and the first vestiges of summer in early November. Share in the delights of the seven gardens which can be viewed and enjoyed in the area. The gardens cover a wide variety of styles and localities, two points of interest are Stoney Brook and Flitwick Ranch. Both these establishments offer coffee and meals and are good stopover points should you require accommodation.
Tickets: R60 for all seven gardens, or R10 at each garden. Children under 18 free. Tickets are available at The Wellness Centre in Main Street, Kokstad
Times: 8:00 – 17:00, Sunday until 15:00
Enquiries: Louise Simpson 073 464 2440, louise@cooperdale. co.za or Mary Stanford 082 775 1907, stanford@snowvalley.co.za
Dwalhoek – Struan and Ashley Stanford
This is a small farm garden, surrounding a modernised old Victorian house which dates back to 1906. The house stood empty for many years and was once used as a maize store. For the past eight years Struan and Ashley have simplified the plant palette to an unfussy green, white and grey garden. This is not a traditional farm garden – it is made up of manicured privet, buxus and teucrium hedges. Although the garden rooms are structured, there is a very relaxed and calming atmosphere whilst still allowing enough space for their two energetic boys. The family have a passion for their garden and have a potager that provides a supply of fresh vegetables for a large part of the year. The garden, trees and berry orchard have matured significantly in the last few years, creating for a very tranquil escape from the busy world.
Directions: 17km out of Kokstad towards Cedarville, you will see a Droewig sign board. Turn right on to the D602. Keep going on this road, keeping right at the fork. Stay on the D602, pass Winters Vlei farm and carry on for about 4km. Keep straight at the Springville Farm sign. On your left is Dwalhoek farm.
- Dogs allowed
- Food and drink
- Wheelchair access
Flitwick Ranch – Katie du Plessis
The old farm homestead, built in the 1800s, is surrounded by a well-established garden that blends gently into the surrounding farm land. The old buildings that used to be the cheese factory and stables have been renovated into luxury accommodation. The old cattle kraals have been turned into a deli and is situated next to a dam. The picturesque combination of rose bushes, nandinas, petunias and geraniums to name but a few, make a colourful array.
Directions: From Kokstad: 42km on the R617 towards Swartberg, 100m before the T-Junction and speed bumps, turn right onto the D630 for 7km.
- Plant sales
- Dogs allowed
- Wheelchair access
- Food and drink
- Picnic spots
Driefontein Farm – Hannelie and Alastair McDougall
Driefontein, established in the 1970s, is a delightful country garden. Roses, aloes and perennials provide colour all year round. Recent landscaping using vibrant colour add a modern twist. A beautiful century-old ash tree stands proudly alongside oaks and plane trees. Creative stone walls edge garden beds in a unique way.
Directions: From Kokstad take the Cedarville/Matatiele Road. Travel for 18km and turn right on to the Droewig Road. Follow the dirt road for 8km, keeping left at the fork and turn on to Driefontein Farm entrance on your left.
- Art
- Food and drink
Inglebrook – Hennie and Tersia Bosman
Inglebrook garden was started at the end of 2016 and new sections were added every year making this a ‘new’ garden in every sense of the word. The selection of roses in the garden ensures a colourful display in the beginning of every season.
Directions: 25km out of town on the Underberg Road, turn left at the Springville turnoff. 500m down the road turn right at the Inglebrook signboard.
- Plant sales
- Food and drink
- Wheelchair access
Stoneybrook – Jenna and Jed van Niekerk
A serene garden overlooking a dam abundant with wildlife, wrapped around with a breathtaking 360-degree mountainous view. A rather young garden with large lawns and a mixed variety of shrubs, roses, succulents and a newly designed vegetable garden.
Directions: From Kokstad take the R56 towards Matatiele for 13km. Turn right onto a dirt road, drive for 1km and turn right down the hill, over the bridge and follow the bend in the road to the right, come past the Stoneybrook lodge and take a left up the hill.
- Food and drink
- Picnic spots
Springville Farm – Graeme and Mary Stanford
A tree lined drive leads to the park-like Springville garden with its large trees and rolling lawns. The style of the garden is formal and structured with hedges and mass planting with water as a feature. The design is inspired by Australian landscapers who focus on low-maintenance, low-water requirements and the incorporation of sight lines. The colour palette is restricted to enhance a sense of serenity and space. The summer garden is a riot of hydrangeas and roses, while autumn displays the vibrant colours of the deciduous trees.
Directions: From Kokstad take the R56 to Cedarville, 17km from Kokstad turn right at the D602. Turn right at the next D602 turn and continue for approximately 8km before turning right at the Springville Farm sign.
- Plant sales
- Wheelchair access
- Dogs allowed
- Food and drink
- Picnic spots
Mount Currie Cottages
Centrally situated in the Kokstad town, near the Bowling Green you will find the delightful mix of gardens in the Retirement Complex. The beautiful communal gardens, rich in birdlife showcasing many heritage roses link all 34 cottage gardens. These are lovingly tended by each resident with individual styles to form a quaint and quirky gardening experience that they are proud to share with you.
Directions: From Cedarville side at the intersection, turn right at the traffic lights into Hope Street. At the second set of traffic lights, turn right at the Police Station which is on your left. Travel down the road and at the stop sign turn right into Hawthorn Street. You will find the cottages on the right – 48 Hawthorn Street, Kokstad
- Wheelchair access
- Food and drink