UnderHill Farm

Budget Getaways Review

An easy-to-reach bolthole from the Mother City, UnderHill Farm offers a soothing setting under giant oak trees and a poplar-lined river bank.

Totally off-grid and solar-powered, the farm lies just off the Van der Stel Pass, 17 kays from Botrivier village and within easy reach of Grabouw's MTB and hiking routes, the local wine routes and Theewaterskloof Dam (17km).

Taking a look at the accommodation on offer, this comes in the form of a tastefully decorated and homely Underhill Farmhouse  - ideal for a family or group of buddies, as it can sleep six total - plus a second unit called Rivendell Cottage. Underhill Cottage and the recently added Hobbit Hollow are well suited to couples and families alike. To maximise your enjoyment, we reckon rustle up a tribe and book the whole lot, as they do lie close together. 

Oak trees above, rolling lawns to the front and side, a gurgling stream, you can't ask for a much prettier location. 

Drilling into the Farmhouse layout, you’ve got two double bedrooms, the main of these ensuite. Both bedrooms flow onto the garden. There are an additional two single beds in a mezzanine area off the lounge, which your kids will love. Besides the two indoor bathrooms, you will find an open-air affair outside with bath and shower. Nice.

The living area is compact and cozy and comes with a fireplace. It's open-plan to a small, well-equipped kitchen. This spills onto the covered patio and its built-in braai and a plunge pool to ward off those sweltering summers.

Set alongside the farmhouse is Rivendell Cottage, with its views of the gurgling stream and local hillsides. This little spot sleeps four in a King room and two single beds in the sunken bedroom. Rivendell sports its own plunge pool as well as a large stoep and braai area.

Underhill Cottage, a cozy and quirky six-sleeper, set up over two levels. This unit is well suited to a couple with small kids, or two couples sharing. The cottage has a comfy living area, a sunny enclosed patio with indoor fireplace, and a well equipped kitchen. Stack doors take you out onto the garden, where you’ve got a weber braai and plunge pool. Bedroom wise, on ground level there a king bedroom and a separate double bedroom. The bathroom is shared. Upstairs, via its own entrance you've got a double room, opening onto a balcony and an outdoor hot shower.

Hobbit Hollow is a unique four sleeper, with a subterranian twist. From the upper banks of the Bot Rivier, this quirky little four sleeper appears to be little more than a patch of grass, with a chimney stack emerging from it. Head down the bank to the water's edge, and you've got a whole different kettle of fish. This two bedroom cottage has been dug into the river bank and creatively set up to open out onto a various levels of outdoor living space, just above the river. There is a cozy lounge with fire place, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor braai area. If you're after something completely different, this one's bound to be great fun.

Sustainability, reusability and privacy are central to the Underhill ethos. Get out there and enjoy it.