Fossil Hills Farm Accommodation

Budget Getaways Review

Up for a few days in the fossil-filled koppies of McGregor? Stone Cottage, Aloe Cottage, Lavender Cottage, Lemon Tree Cottage, Pinotage House, Tango Guesthouse and now the recently added two sleeper options: Albatross, Bateleur, Crane, Dove and Eagle Cottages on Thornvilla Wine Farm could be your spot - a nice mix of simple comfort, adventure and tranquillity.

Lying a secluded 1km apart in a picturesque valley outside McGregor, each abode's settings is quite different: Fossil Hills Cottage perches up on a rugged mountainside while the other cottages are down on the valley floor.

Aloe Cottage sleeps up to four guests and sports a double room with ensuite shower and bath, with a second room with two single beds. The open-plan, fully-equipped kitchen has an indoor braai and fireplace for chilly Boland nights, while an air-conditioned lounge takes care of summer. This opens to an (uncovered) stoep, with views onto McGregor and the farm dam. An outside braai is on hand for balmy summer evenings, as well as a hot tub! Adjacent to Aloe Cottage is the annex, which has two twin bedrooms. (Aloe Cottage is pet friendly)

A two-seater canoe and a pair of mountain bikes are part of the Aloe Cottage deal - heading out for a spot of fishing on the dam, embarking on a brisk 3km pedal to town… Decisions, decisions.

Up on the hillside with great views over the farm and valley, Stone Cottage is a cozy stone cottage with thatched roof. As one frazzled parent proposes, “I could watch my kids cycling for hours on the many farm tracks below us.” Maybe you should follow suit and earn some well-deserved R&R on the covered stoep.

The cottage sleeps four and is well equipped with a double room, lounge, open-plan kitchen and bathroom with bath and shower on the ground floor. Two single beds can be found tucked in the comfortable loft room. There’s a fireplace in the lounge and outside braai area for that perfect evening under the stars. This one also sports an outdoor hot tub.

From the front veranda of Lavender Cottage you have a beautiful view over the vineyards as well as the McGregor Winery and McGregor town on to the Riviersonderend Mountains. There is an indoor braai or fireplace as well as outdoor braai facilities, as well as a hot tub! Two mountain bikes and a two-seater canoe with fishing rods come standard. The double room with bathroom (shower-only) make for a perfect spot for a little romantic break.

Lemon Tree Cottage, situated close to the farm dam, is a cozy four-sleeper, which had a double bedroom ensuite and and additional twin bedroom. This one also has kayaks and two mountain bikes available, as well as a hot tub on the stoep. 

If you need a roof for that big family bash that includes your second cousins, then best opt for Pinotage House, a big old farm house with annex and large garden kitted out with jungle gym, kiddies slide and swings. Sleeping a grand total of 16, the main house is air conditioned and comprises five bedrooms (two ensuite) sleeping 10 in total, a living room with built-in braai and an equipped kitchen. As with Aloe Cottage and Stone Cottage, Pinotage sports an outdoor hot tub. Adjacent to this is the annex, sleeping an additional six in a double bedroom and two twin bedrooms. (Pinotage House is pet friendly)

As if that's not enough, The recently finished Tango Guesthouse, sleeps up to four guests in the main house, which has a double and twin bedroom. The Annex which sleeps six, has three twin rooms. In the main house, you've got a spacious living area, fully equipped, open plan kitchen and indoor and outdoor braai area. The house has air conditioning. 300 meters away you've got the dam, which has two kayaks for fishing. As with the other units, there is an outdoor hot tub.

Last but not least are the five newly renovated couples cottages: Albatross, Bateleur, Crane, Dove and Eagle. Each is equipped with a double bed, bathroom with shower and an open plan kitchen/living area. The patio's have a braai spot as well as an outdoor hot tub. Indoors you've also got a fireplace for winter. No problem getting around the farm either, as each unit has two mountain bikes included in the deal.

Nearby activities? Plenty. Dust off your favourite Indiana Jones hat and go fossil-hunting in the surrounding hills. Explore miles of farm tracks on bike or foot. Go rowing, go fishing, go swimming in the dam. Do a spot of wine-tasting. Amble around pretty McGregor, refueling on caffeine as you go.

Or, just kick back on the stoep and make like a fossil, bru.