Quick Facts
E 23°33'02''
Budget Getaways Review
Now who doesn’t love a Garden Route beach holiday? But let’s face it, finding anything in Plett or Knysna that’s low-key, chilled and not on the front cover of Visi Magazine isn’t that easy these days. It’s just that folks, which makes Natures Valley such a dream.
“Natures”, as it’s referred to by the locals, is a seaside holiday village just like they all were back in the day. Wooden houses, kids riding bikes, comings and goings to the beach and surfboards scattered across the lawn.
Stok & Hoed is a “Natures original”. Dating back to the 1960’s, this timber home is set amidst a garden shaded by Milkwood trees, only a few streets back from the beach, and within easy walking distance to the lagoon as well. It’s a laid-back kind of place, simple, comfortable and well-equipped, a spot where kids can get beach sand on the furniture, without any major panic.
Taking a scout around the house, there are a total of four bedrooms. On ground level you’ve got a double bedroom with ensuite bathroom plus a smaller room with a three-quarter bed and two single beds. Head upstairs and there’s another two double bedrooms (one which opens out onto the upstairs balcony). There is also a shared bathroom.
The living area and kitchen are also upstairs and include a scattering of comfy couches, DSTV (bring your own decoder), a good ol’ fashioned family dining room and then of course the kitchen - kitted out with all you’ll need for self-catering, as well as a dishwasher.
The balcony puts your right into the treetops of the garden, a great place to chill on the day bed and listen to the Loeries…now what more could you ask for?
Keeping busy in Natures Valley isn’t difficult either. There’s the beach, just a 2 minute walk away or you can take the kids down to the Grootrivier lagoon, a great swimming spot for them. For the adventurous, hike to Salt River mouth, a pristine paradise about 3km along the coast towards Plett.
For cyclists, stretch those legs, because getting in and out of Natures Valley involves a steady climb on what was once the old road between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. There are also hiking options galore in the area. For a great pizza, head on over to the one and only restaurant in the village, or venture up into The Crags (about 15km away) and try some of the local wine farms. Nearby Natures Way Farm Store also has a good restaurant attached to it.
Great looking getaway, super-chilled location and a stretch of coastline second to none.
Greenfern Lodge
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
If you ever had dreams of spending nights out in the depths of the Knysna Forest, then look no further. Greenfern Lodge lies 7 kays off the main drag, midway between Plet...
Rate Guide
R5300 nightly for the lodge and R1100 nightly for a chalet.
Moon Shine on Whiskey Creek
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
You will find this haven of creative calm tucked among indigenous forest high above Whiskey Creek gorge, in a pictureque area known as the Crags. No two ways about...
Rate Guide
From R1350 to R1750, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Protea Wilds Retreat
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
A lot of places along the Garden Route, particularly Plettenberg Bay, have become such popular holiday destinations that being able to enjoy the quiet beauty and tranquil...
Rate Guide
From R750 - R950 nightly per unit, depending on time of year.
Boschrivier farm
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
Boschrivier farm Self-catering Cottage near Plettenberg Bay offers a luxury farm stay nestled on a beautiful horse farm near Wittedrift. This newly renovated cottage beca...
Rate Guide
From R1200, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Greenhill Farm
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
The Manor House – sleeps 8 The Manor House is a stand-alone 4-bedroom home set in acres of well-manicured gardens. All rooms have views. The front terrace and pool ...
Rate Guide
From R1950 to R9500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Baviaanshoek
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
The self-catering Holiday House “Baviaanshoek” is on Plettenberg Bay´s Keurboomstrand, and just a few minutes walk to the beach. We admit that dur...
Rate Guide
From R2900, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Bellamanga Country House
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
A sprawling 200ha estate inland from Plett, Bellamanga makes for a simple no-nonsense B&B or self-catering getaway for larger groups, weddings, family gatherings, cou...
Rate Guide
From R720 to R2030, 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 • 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