Babylonstoren

Cape Winelands

South Africa’s world-famous wines are produced mostly in the Cape Winelands – a region of great beauty, fertile soil and historic towns surrounded by impressive mountains. One of the country’s most visited destinations, the Cape Winelands is close to Cape Town, Cape Point and the international airport.

Franschhoek

Franschhoek lies in an impressive valley between the Franschhoek Mountains and is arguably one of the country’s best-loved towns. It has a proud tradition as the wine and gourmet capital of the region. The town was founded 300 years ago when French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution in France were granted land in the area. They brought their traditions – and their expertise in the production of wine – and the town still boasts a strong French character today, as well as many of the country’s top restaurants. The Franschhoek area has 42 wine farms, the most notable being:

Unique features:
Huguenot Memorial Museum – a wonderful way to spend a few hours and learn about the French Huguenots who first came to Africa from Holland. Franschhoek means ‘French Corner’ in Dutch and the town is like no other in South Africa when it comes to its Francophile tendencies. And although French is no longer spoken by the townsfolk, the street names still bear the names of the first settlers and other French towns and authors. The town has a number of festivals every year including a Literary Festival, a Food & Wine Festival as well as Bastille Day.

Activities at Babylonstoren in further detail:

The Garden

The days are intentionally unscripted at Babylonstoren, and for our hotel guests there’s much to do. In addition to exploring our 200 hectares of farm, in season you can take part in the harvesting of fruit in the orchards or the pruning of our vines. Whatever the season, our garden is an everchanging tapestry of fruit and vegetable plantings. Hotel guests are invited to join in the harvesting, pruning, planting or picking of our many fruits, herbs, nuts, spices and vegetables. We have maps for five different walks on the farm (available from reception) and if you’re interested to learn more about the provenance of the garden, do join one of our garden tours that starts daily at 10h00. Booking is essential, so please enquire in advance at reception.

Our spa, gym and swimming pool

After a workout in our gym overlooking the garden, guests can relax at our Garden Spa. The swimming pool is a restored farm reservoir and perfect for hot summer days.

Wine cellars

All our wine tours are complimentary for hotel guests, so please join our daily guided cellar tour at 12 noon. The tour will take you through the whole winemaking process, past the vineyards, through the olive press, cellar and maturation cellar and includes the wine tasting. The tour starts at the hotel reception. Our range of seven wines and our newly launched sparkling wine are also available for tasting at the tasting room, nestled between a sample block of our 13 grape varieties.

Out and about on the farm

Whatever your predilection, we’re certain you’ll find an outlet at Babylonstoren. Every morning at 08h00, there is a guided walk around the farm with one of the gardeners, who takes guests up to the koppie (hill), through the fynbos area and the vlei, on to the citrus orchards and back past the dam. Or at sunset you could go for a run up to the Babylonstoren Hill or koppie yourself, or walk up to the dam to row in a wooden canoe (just ask for the key to the boat house at reception). There’s no better place to sample some of the excellent wines grown on our farm than at our tasting room, overlooking the Babylonstoren koppie. And every Friday morning we have yoga classes at the spa. In the heat of summer, we encourage you to lounge in a hammock in the cool of the trees and read a book from our well-stocked library, or if you’re visiting in winter, curl up in front of a fire with a glass of red in hand.

Parent-friendly

The farm is a paradise for children with resident geese, chickens (where they can collect eggs) and our beloved donkeys, Meisiekind, Lulu and Trompie. The donkeys live near to the farm shop and love nothing better than a snack of bread. We invite our young guests to help feed the donkeys and help to pick fruit and vegetables from our gardens, especially for the breakfast table. We also provide the complimentary use of mountain bikes for all our guests, they are located in the old pigsty near the entrance to the guest cottages. We recommend the use of helmets, and these are provided at reception.

Eat

When it comes to food, you’ve got plenty of options. Enjoy a delicious seasonal dinner at Babel or indulge in an afternoon cup of tea and fresh scones at the Greenhouse. Or better yet treat yourself to a relaxing massage at The Garden Spa followed by lunch from the spa menu at the farm pool.

The Werf (Farm Yard)

Discover Babylonstoren’s 320-year old Cape Dutch werf. The Manor House dates from 1777 with additional pioneer structures dating all the way back to the founding of the farm in 1692. The Koornhuis (for storing wheat), the old cellar, the ornate fowl house, pigeon loft, leaning bell tower and the historic gates all embellish the traditional courtyard surrounded by a low, whitewashed wall.

Birdwatching

In addition to our domestic fowls, pigeons and more than 100 snail-harvesting ducks, Babylonstoren is also home to a myriad species of birds. So arm yourself with a pair of binoculars and spend some gentle hours ticking birds off the farm’s list that is provided in your room. If in doubt, download the Sasol eBirds of Southern Africa mobile app, that with its detailed text, beautiful visuals and ability to play individual calls and songs is a great help in identifying different species.

By Car

Your private transfer will collect you at Cape Town Internatinoal Airport, the drive to Babylonstoren will take approx. 1 hour from collection to drop off and check in. Once at Babylonstoren you are only a short transfer ride from the winelands town of Franschhoek where there are a number of renowned restaurants, vineyards and boutique shops.

By Car (Self Drive)

GPS co-ordonates:
33 49' 21.00" S 18 55' 48.00" E

Take the N1 towards Paarl, continue for about 45 km.

Take Exit 47 - Klapmuts, Stellenbosch R44 off-ramp.

At the stop street turn right (underneath the N1 towards Stellenbosch).

You will see Butterfly World on your left.

Go over the traffic lights, and continue over the bridge.

At the next set of traffic lights, turn left onto the Klapmuts Simondium road towards the R45.

About 6km down that road, on your right, you'll see Babylonstoren.