Quick Facts
E 18°51'35''
Budget Getaways Review
Backed by the dramatic rise of the Simonsberg Mountains, and equidistant from Paarl and Stellenbosch (12km) along the valley road, the historic Natte Valleij farm has been home to the energetic Milner family for the past four decades.
The farm itself goes back to the 1700's, and has seen various carnations over the centuries: originally a wine farm, then a stud farm producing some serious winners, then back to a wine farm.
Much like the wines produced here, the accommodation is pleasant on the palette. Framed by a fairytale setting - a lush garden with a lake shaded by drooping willlows - Willow Cottage is elegantly appointed and ideally suited to couples or a small family looking for a country escape a mere stone's throw from the Mother City.
Decorated in light tones and elegant furnishings, the cottage has two ensuite bedrooms - Queen and twin, both with showers and baths. Adding to the luxurious feel is crisp linen and soft bath towels.
The kitchen is fully geared for self-catering and open-plan to a living room equipped with a fireplace and comfy sofas.
Double French doors lead onto the patio, which in turn flows onto a rolling lawn with braai and tranquil views.
The cottage has it’s own driveway and entrance, meaning you can come and go as you please without fear of waking your hosts.
There’s no shortage of things to do both on and around the farm. Besides chugging back the fruits of the local wine estates, there are birding walks, animal spotting (wildebeest, zebra and springbok) and mountain biking to be had in the adjoining reserve (a mere 30m from the front door).
The kids can muck in with the daily farm chores, such as feeding the chickens, while the lake is a great spot for a dunk in summer. Plus, there's a farm dam for fishing and a decent spread of restaurants nearby.
The general consensus? Very positive. “Willow Cottage was so much more than was expected. Beautiful cottage, clean bedding and excellent service.”
Wine country living at its best.
"Loved the place it was just what I needed. Peace and tranquility, the beautiful view from the cottage overlooking the lake and willow trees - I will definitely visit again and will refer friends."
(visited Feb 2016)
"Magical."
(visited March 2015)
"Having stayed here at least eight times (and will continue to do so) for up to three weeks at a time that should be a good indication of how much we enjoy Willow Cottage."
(visited August 2014)
"We loved the cottage which is spacious, clean and comfy and is very well located in the Stellenbosch area. Enjoyed it so much that we went back again. Andrea is a wonderful host and made every effort so that our little family (including our two toddlers) had a great stay. I strongly recommend the place!"
(visited January 2014)
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Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland