Quick Facts
E 19°27'37''
Budget Getaways Review
You’ve just finished Peter Mayle's In Provence… a small French village, rambling countryside, a picturesque cottage under moss-covered terracotta, children skipping around the garden, lilting laughter following in their wake…
Good news is there's no need for that 12 hour, cattle-class flight to capture a bit of that nostalgic ol' French country feeling. Rivers Edge, just outside of Stanford, is the quintessential French-Provencal homestead.
Even better, it's a lot more comfortable than the real thing, with 21st-century modcons like large rooms, doors you can actually walk through without banging the head, a range of techno gadgets, the marvel of hot-water showers, and weather that allows you to braai without a brollie.
The house itself sleeps up to eight guests in four bedrooms, each tastefully decorated with period furniture, screeded floors and large sash windows. The main bedroom is a gem, adorned with Queen, four-poster bed, ensuite bathroom with freestanding Victorian bath, private verandah and views over the garden and riverbank.
Bedroom two and three also have Queen, four-poster beds, with bedroom two featuring its own ensuite bathroom. A fourth bedroom has bunk beds and an inter-leading bathroom.
The lounge and open-plan fully equipped kitchen are typical farmhouse-style, with huge open fireplace, full-length sash windows and double doors spilling out onto a covered terrace and outside braai area.
Rivers Edge is not all old world charm though: the house has a good range of holiday gadgets, including DSTV, good WiFi, iPod docking station and most importantly, a dishwasher.
Now, where to hang out? A tough choice as the garden is as appealing as the house, with roses, herbs and rolling lawns leading down to the sluggish waters of the Klein River. This is one spot that you and the team can really just chill out and do absolutely nothing.
But… if all this sounds a little too relaxing, Stanford's charms are a stones throw away, with plenty restaurants, interesting bric-and-brac shops and a vibrant Saturday market.
Whatever you decide, Rivers Edge is one for the family or a group of friends.
So don’t even bother with that visa application, grumpy recession-strapped French and temperamental weather. Get yourself to Rivers Edge instead.
"A peaceful cottage, in a peaceful town alongside a peaceful river. Highly recommended if you need to unwind and destress."
(visited Mar 2023)
"Beautiful and peaceful setting. Lovely old house."
(visited Sep 2022)
"Delightful house and perfect setting!"
(visited December 2021)
"A fabulous house in a fantastic setting! Exactly as described on the website and our favourite part was all the different places around the house we could set up for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We also really enjoyed the two kayaks that were available and had a lovely late afternoon row around the river. The kitchen had almost everything we needed, including a dishwasher, but you'll have to bring your own foil, clingfilm and paper towels if you're used to having them around. We will most definitely be back soon!"
(visited September 2021)
"Very comfortable house in a beautiful setting along the banks of the Klein Rivier. Even-though we had rain during our stay, the house worked well for us all. The outdoor braai, patio area and garden is great too. Superb birdlife to enjoy! Will definitely be back."
(visited September 2020)
"A beautiful spot by the river and lovely garden and master bedroom with balcony. We enjoyed our time there."
(visited September 2020)
"A lovely place to stay, clean, well equipped and comfortable. There were lots of quirky things to add character too. The pool was well maintained as was the garden, both huge hits with our children. The cottage is close enough to the village to easily walk and we enjoyed the footpath at the bottom of the garden for walking our dog (in Stanford dogs must be on the leash all of the time and there were wardens patrolling to make sure that we did). The garden is not fenced at the bottom so we had a few problems with our dog wondering off. The kayaks were great fun and we loved our trips up and down the river. Each can hold 2 adults and a child. We couldn't have asked for a better place to spend our precious time off and can highly recommend staying here."
(visited Dec 2019)
"We had such a great time. Janet was very helpful on check-in and we all loved the pool and the fact that we could walk along the river path. Such a special place."
(visited Nov 2019)
"Rivers Edge is a fantastic home away from home. Great for a big family. The kids had a great time by the pool and fishing in the river. There's lots to do in Stanford, we had a great two nights away."
(visited March 2019)
"What a wonderful place! Our extended family stayed there in June and will definitely be back again. Central to town, close to the river and walks - just perfect!"
(visited Jun 2018)
"We took the whole family, kids, grandparents, cousins and dogs to Rivers Edge for the school holiday and it was absolutely perfect. There was more than enough to keep the kids busy and the house was so lovely we hardly felt the need to leave. The house is extremely well equipped and the master bedroom and en-suites are quite special. Would recommend it in a heart beat."
(visited Oct 2017)
"A perfect setting for an awesome family weekend getaway. The setting and home were very beautiful and comfortable. We spent hours paddling on the river or wandering the village in search of the perfect cup of coffee! A return visit is on the cards in the near future!"
(visited Mar 2017)
"Loved it!"
(visited Aug 2016)
"Idyllic. Had a wonderful weekend at River's Edge. The house, garden and pool are just lovely, and the river and scenery are sublime. The house feels like home, and is stocked with everything you need. The area is beautiful, but we were content to stay on the property, it was so wonderful. Star-gazing in the garden was a highlight. Can't wait to go back!"
(visited Feb 2016)
"Great for a family getaway!"
(visited January 2015)
"Had the most lovely stay at Rivers Edge! Everything you need and more to totally switch off, yet close enough to walk into town. Will definitely be back."
(visited December 2014)
"What an amazing place to relax and do nothing. The best about this little gem is that you don't have to take anything with, but your clothes as it is fully equipped, you don't need a thing. The best is also the way the agent deals with us and the professionalism they deal with their clients. I will recommend this to anyone that are ready for a great getaway."
(visited September 2014)
"We had a wonderful stay at River's Edge. The house had everything that we needed and more. Will definitely go back."
(visited April 2012)
"We had a fabulous time and will definitely return."
(visited January 2012)
"It was a most enjoyable time spent at Rivers Edge. I only have one request: Please install a hand rail on the staircase leading to the main bedroom on the top floor. It is quite daunting to decend the stairs without it. All else was excellent value for money."
(visited October 2011)
Zuurknolsvlei Self-Catering
Stanford, Western Cape
Surrounded by fynbos vegetation on a gorgeous farm, 15km from Stanford, Zuurknolsvlei is an Overberg gem waiting for just the two of you, your family or even a bunch of f...
Rate Guide
From R1800 - R2400 nightly for the main house (depending on number of guests). R950 nightly for the semi-detached units. Peak season minimum stays apply.
Phillipskop Mountain Reserve
Stanford, Western Cape
Phillipskop covers 250ha of gorgeous fynbos on the slopes of the Klein River Mountains. Access is via a short gravel road, 13 kays from Stanford. With soothing vistas ac...
Rate Guide
From R1950 to R3260, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Witkrans Farm Accommodation
Gansbaai, Western Cape
Witkrans is a nature-lovers paradise, that judging by the glowing guest reviews certainly strikes a strong cord among its happy visitors. Owned by the Privett family - t...
Rate Guide
From R1520 to R1995, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Clouds End Cottages
Hermanus, Western Cape
Clouds End Farm (11km from Hermanus) gets its name from the wisp of cloud that so often blankets the tallest peak of Babylon’s Toring. Not only might this creamy w...
Rate Guide
The Pottery: R1600 - R2000 nightly; The Helderfontein: R1800 - R2500 nightly; The Kaya: R900 - R1200 nightly.
High Season Farm Luxury Cottages
Hermanus, Western Cape
Self Catering cottages, which sleep from two to six guests, are tastefully decorated and fully equipped to make your stay as pleasant and as comfortable as possible. Wake...
Rate Guide
From R1800 to R3800, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Rivers End Farm
Stanford, Western Cape
Just 30 minutes from the seaside town of Hermanus, Stanford is a good option for those looking for a laid-back getaway. Rivers End farm has a cabin and 'bus' on offer, pl...
Rate Guide
From R250 to R4000, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Fairhill Guest House and Nature Reserve
Stanford, Western Cape
Fairhill Guest House and Nature Reserve offers self-catering accommodation and is located in a private nature reserve, 12 km from central Gansbaai and Stanford. The holid...
Rate Guide
From R7000 to R7700, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Berg n Dal Heritage Farm
Gansbaai, Western Cape
Tucked away in the Uilenkraal Valley, not too far from Gansbaai (15km), Berg n Dal Heritage Farm lies slapbang in the middle of outdoor Nirvana. It's a place where you ca...
Rate Guide
From R900 to R1700, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Otium Oasis Glamping & Camping
Caledon, Western Cape
Otium Oasis Glamping and Camping are located in Tesselaarsdal, surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Overberg. Escape to the serenity of Otium Oasis, the ultimate r...
Rate Guide
From R200 to R2575, depending on unit, guests and time of year
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 • Prince Albert • 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 • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland