De Wagenhuis Country Retreat On The Historic Rotterdam Farm

Swellendam has become one of our favourite small towns to visit along the Garden Route. If you are looking for budget-friendly accommodation, I can recommend De Wagenhuis on the Rotterdam Farm, one of the oldest farms in the Swellendam area.

Rotterdam, a working citrus and dairy farm dating back to 1794, offers rustic, country-style boutique accommodation in two charming buildings, namely De Wagenhuis and District 7. The lovely country retreat, a mere 8kms from Swellendam, is peaceful, surrounded by meadows and orchards with views stretching to the top of the Langeberg Mountains.

De Wagenhuis Guesthouse

De Wagenhuis boasts seven luxury rooms. The Magistrate’s Honeymoon Suite is the largest room with a bath, shower and toilet, and a private balcony overlooking the pasture.

Jan Auge Flat has two double rooms, which can be booked separately, or as a family unit. Guests can relax in the privacy of their own lounge; there is also a dining room and a kitchen with an ancient bread oven. Each bedroom has its own bathroom, shower and toilet.

Lourens Oliphant Room has a queen-sized bed with a toilet and shower, while the Pieter Gysbert Steyn Room has its own private balcony overlooking citrus orchards and green pastures. It has its own bathroom, with a bath and shower.

Lastly, there are the Dr Makrills Buchu and Captain Buchanan Rooms, which are both double rooms; however, they do not have their own private bathroom. Instead, they share a bathroom with a bath, shower and toilet.

District 7

District 7 boasts a magnificent front door repurposed from the Old Saltriver Post Office in Cape Town. The guesthouse has twelve spacious rooms, each sleeping one couple per room. Eight of them have double/twin or single beds, while four rooms have king-size beds.⁣ Rooms are all en suite, with African style decor.

Amenities

Start your day with a hearty farm-style breakfast. Guests can also enjoy delicious “homecooked” lunch and dinner; however, this is only by prior arrangement.

The property has a large pool area, perfect for relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine. Guests can also make use of the lapa, pub and braai area. Rotterdam also has a quaint chapel.

Things To Do

For nature lovers, a farm walk through the orchards down to the Buffelsjagsriver is a must, not to forget a forest meander in the woods near Swellendam. Other attractions include Marloth Nature Reserve or the Bontebok National Park.

Adventure seekers can explore the mountain biking trails which the Grootvadersbosch Forest offers.

The Swellendam area is a treasure trove of fantastic experiences, with so much to see and do. There is an array of quaint eateries and restaurants, as well as museums and fun activities. In addition, wine lovers can enjoy wine tastings at one of the many farms in the nearby Bonnievale and Robertson Wine regions.