Hearth and Soul Eco Farm

Stanford, Western Cape

150km from Cape Town

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Permaculture farm with a 13-room Farmhouse, a 10-sleeper 'Eco Barn' and a Studio Cottage - 24km from Stanford

8 Reviews - Read them Best rating of 5 based on 8 reviews.

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Entrance to Hearth and Soul
Main house
Main house kitchen
Main house kitchen
Front entrance
Dining area on stoep
Main house lounge
Breakaway sun room
Bedroom 8
Bedroom
Bedroom
Lawns and mountain setting
Outside fire arena
Eco Barn entrance
Eco Barn interior
Eco Barn upstairs living area
Eco Barn dorm
Eco Barn kitchen
Hall
Yoga in Hall
Permaculture garden
Permaculture garden
Mountain view from your room
Room 5 Bathroom
Bathroom room 4
Bathroom room 8
Breakaway sun room
kitchen herb garden

Quick Facts

Where

24km from Stanford

GPS

S 34°28'17''
E 19°40'21''

Sleeps

Farmhouse has 13 rooms (2-3 guests per room), Eco Barn sleeps 10 dorm-style, Studio Cottage sleeps 3

Equipped

Yes

Linen

Yes

Towels

Yes

Fireplace

Yes

Braai

Yes

Meals

By request

Pet-Friendly

By request

Activities

artist retreat, birdwatching, hiking, mountain biking, stargazing, swimming, walking

Budget Getaways Review

“The most beautiful surroundings. Serene, tasteful and warm hospitality, peppered with much laughter, love and light.” This from a recent guest at this all-encompassing eco-escape that combines understated aesthetics and beautiful surrounds.

The kind of place in our book where you can truly switch off and, in the words of Descartes, "Just sommer Be".

Set in a secluded valley 24km from Stanford (and the same distance from Napier), this 220ha farm combines mountains, pristine fynbos, a gurgling river and pretty buildings and decor.

Taking a look at the accommodation, Hearth and Soul ticks all the boxes as a perfect individual, couple, or group getaway. You have three options…

First off, there's the double-story Farmhouse that's been lovingly restored, with reclaimed doors, roughly plastered walls, dakriet ceilings and beams hewn from local poplar trees among the special touches.

The Farmhouse features a total of 13 bedrooms, each uniquely decorated in a mix of contemporary and antique furnishings, and accommodating two to three guests. Eleven of the rooms are ensuite, each with either a patio or balcony and gorgeous mountain views.

The communal living areas are spacious and creatively decorated, and the atmosphere homely. There’s a lounge with fireplace, a patio with dining area and a laid-back farm-style kitchen with dining table. From here it's a step away to a comfy couch and fireplace in the sunroom.

Step onto the rolling lawn and you’ll find a central fire pit with communal seating on the banks of one of four farm dams.

Close by is the Eco Barn. This sleeps 10 dorm-style and is perfect for the more price-sensitive group.

Apart from your dorm, you’ve got two living areas, a central kitchen, and a large function hall. Once again, a great venue for birthdays, workshops, reunions and any other tribal gathering.

Next up is the Studio Cottage, a private abode in a forest setting with views over the mountains and river. With two bedrooms (one in the loft), a bathroom and a living area with fireplace, the cottage makes a cozy option for couples or a small family.

Apart from the walks, trails and mountain biking on and around the farm itself, Hearth and Soul offers a platter of creative workshops; these can be booked on request.

To do? Visit the inspiring permaculture gardens, take in some of the lovely fynbos trails on the farm, or head out and explore the villages of Napier and Stanford. Platbos indigenous forest is a short drive away, while Arniston beach and Cape Aghulhas make for a great day trip. Or just hang out and enjoy this superb setting.

To end with another quote from a happy local customer, this time from Cape Town: “I love this place ... it really is very special”.

Enough said. Roll up the yoga mat and get packing - some indulgent navel-gazing rejuvenation awaits.

Guest Reviews

"Thanks for sharing this absolute gem of a place, we loved every second of it."

(visited June 2015)

"Incredible fortress of creation and magic. Quite a special place with nutritious food and inspiring stories. I will undoubtedly go back again and again."

(visited May 2015)

"What a great place to totally get away from it all. No cellphone reception, so no sms's to bug you. Sybille's warm personality envelops you on arrival, not to mention the delicious organically grown salad that she blessed me with. Great for groups or like me singles."

(visited January 2015)

"We spent a wonderful four days here over Christmas, a perfect setting and environment for our huge family and friends to relax and not be on top of each other. The walks in the mountains were awesome followed by refreshing swims in the dam behind the house. Feeding the pigs was definitely one of our children's highlights. The big boma style braai area was perfect for our braai's and really made us feel like we were sitting in the middle of paradise amongst the mountains. Sybille was a fabulous host and we even managed to squeeze in a morning detox yoga session with Paula which was brilliant. Can't wait to come back again."

(visited January 2015)

"Loved the setting, dogs and quirkiness of Sybille's touch. You are totally sharing a lounge and kitchen with the owner which we enjoyed but just a heads up: the only thing I'd mention is the cleanliness, its big and probably a nightmare to clean but it could really do with a good wipe, mop and some new dish towels."

(visited August 2014)

"The most beautiful surroundings, serene and tasteful and warm hospitality, peppered with much laughter, love and light. A safe place with enormous diversity in which to feel and become totally inspired, catch your breath and recharge in absolute peace. The most outstanding venue to do whatever it is that you want to - numerous workshops seem to be available. I just love the position, walks and fynbos and the setting is perfect."

(visited September 2013)

"Love this place, very special."

(visited March 2013)

"I ran a weekend retreat at Hearth and Soul in 2012. It was just wonderful. The food, the setting, the rooms and the views. Each room is different and uniquely quirky, but oh so comfortable. We ate in the kitchen and chatted around the table while Sybille, the owner, cooked wonderful meals for us. After suppers we sat around the fire with wine and more chat. For me it was very special - it held the work that the group did over the weekend in the best way. There are more formal spaces to eat and relax, in the main house, but as a group we loved that we could be informal and sit in the kitchen with the animals and wonderful food. And Sybille knew just what we needed. Hope that helps to give a word picture of quite wonderful space."

(visited October 2012)

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Rate Guide

From R7000 to R7700, depending on unit, guests and time of year

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