Watermill Farm Cottages

Surround yourself with the Serenity and tranquillity of Watermill Farm. Enfolded within the foothills of the Rooiberg Mountain Range and enclosed by the demarcated Rooiberg Conservancy area, Watermill Farm is situated 3 kilometres from the Little Karoo village of Van Wyksdorp, off the R62 highway. Ideally suited to Nature lovers, plant and bird enthusiasts, and those simply needing to soothe their souls. Lavender Cottage Lavender Cottage, affectionately dubbed "Lav", was the most dilapidated of all the cottages, and has been lovingly restored, preserving its original character as much as possible, with a traditional cow dung floor and thatch roof, keeping the windows & doors the original size. This quaint little cottage served as the home for three different miller families that operated the watermill during its eighty years of milling activity. The furnishings of the cottage reflect its old-world charm, and it sleeps two with a double brass ‘Hemel bed’ in the bedroom, complete with brushed cotton bedding. The second bedroom has been converted into a bathroom with a shower. There is a two-plate gas burner for cooking, gas hot water, and soul-soothing candlelight for evening illumination. Solar-powered lighting, a fridge, power points, along an electric fan have all been added for comfort. A cast-iron fireplace in the original hearth provides warmth in winter. This cottage is comfortable and cosy while retaining its old-worldly, authentic minimalist style. The Barn The Barn started its life as a typical Karoo cottage. At some stage, it was altered and became a milkery, with the historic stone-walled kraal at the rear of the cottage, complete with feeding mangers, bearing testimony to this time. It was later simply used as a barn, before being reworked back into the cottage it had once clearly been, keeping the large arch doors, and adding a Victorian fireplace that was discovered in one of the farm lofts during restoration. The Barn is more spacious than the Lavender cottage, with a double bedroom plus a sleeper couch in the living area if needed. The barn has a two-plate gas burner for cooking, gas hot water and soft candlelight for the evenings. Solar-powered lighting, power points, a fridge, along an electric fan have been added for comfort. The elevated front stoep overlooks the picturesque Rooiberg mountain range. The Barn is a romantic cottage, embracing a delightful ambience of old and new, favoured by artists and other creative souls. Manor House Manor House is a spacious two-bedroom cottage with spectacular views from every room over the farm dam and the majestic Langeberg Mountains in the distance. In years gone by, this cottage was the long-time residence of Louw Rabie, renowned geologist and philosopher, and brother of writer Jan Rabie. Manor House can sleep four in two separate queen-size double bedrooms. There is a shared bathroom with bath and overhead shower, a farm-style kitchen with separate scullery, and a spacious dining room/lounge area, with original handmade clay tiled floors throughout. The kitchen has a fireplace with a Dover stove and is equipped with a two-plate gas burner, a fridge, and a gas hot water. This cottage has solar electricity for lights, power points and two electric fans added for comfort. An elevated front stoep overlooks the farm dam, with the stunning, uninterrupted vista onto the Langeberg mountains in the distance. There is a private, peaceful, shaded patio area at the rear of the cottage that is ideal for impromptu get-togethers. Mill House The original farmhouse, Mill House, is a typical Karoo cottage that has been altered and enlarged over the years, as families grew and needs changed, into its present Victorian style. Mill House can sleep three in a queen extra-long be plus a separate three-quarter bed. There is a bathroom with a bath and overhead shower, a separate kitchen, and a lounge/dining room. The kitchen has a fireplace with a Dover stove and is equipped with a two-plate gas cooker, an electric fridge, and a gas hot water. This comfortable cottage also has solar power for lights, power points, plus an electric fan for comfort. This peaceful and soothing old-world farmhouse, furnished in simple country cottage style, is private and is set on a hillside, looking onto the old Watermill and a large poplar tree forest. The cottages are all fully equipped, including WI-FI. All beds are fitted with Egyptian percale cotton bedding, and towels are provided. The hand-made mud brick walls are plastered with earth on the interior and then whitewashed. The dung floors are warm and soft to the tread, and each cottage is unique. We have tried to match the furnishings with the style of each cottage, gleaned mostly from local antique shops, thus creating each with its own character and individual ambience. The single thread that draws them together is a gentle simplicity redolent of how we once lived - and perhaps could again.

Area Info

At Watermill Farm, we are immersed in unspoilt nature. We are surrounded by pristine veldt, clean air, and pure water that comes from a natural spring that bubbles out of the mountain from an ancient limestone aquifer.

The farm is 3 km from the little Karoo village of Van Wyksdorp, off the R62 highway. Ladismith is 47 km away, Riversdale is 74km away, and Mossel Bay is 119 km away. The nearest airport is George Airport - 159 km from Watermill Farm Cottages.