Soft, silken slips of cloud grow pink on their tips, soaking up the final rays of another golden day. The lake seems to stretch out to the mountains beyond and birdsong from the forest is carried up on the breeze. I sit on the long expanse of lawn at Glenogle Farm, mesmerised by the light streaming in over the hills and treetops. It feels like I could be holidaying in the Scottish highlands until I am brought back from my daydream by a loud and insistent quacking… Winston is back!
When we first arrived at Glengogle’s largest accommodation venue, The Barn, we were swept up in the scenery and splendour as we rounded the bend past where the farm horses, Abby, Silva and Rain Forest were grazing in the lush fields. Although tempted to immediately dance our way down to the lake, we showed admirable restraint and brought our belongings into the imposing, ivy-clad double-story house where another round of ooohing and aaahing with delight ensued. And there at the door, waiting to show us around, was Winston the duck. He waddled inside and introduced himself loudly and confidently, clearly happy to have human company again. While he chattered away, we explored the beautiful three-bedroom house furnished with antique pieces discovered over the years by owner, Glenda Hancock.
Leather sofas framed a bespoke coffee table with various authentic wooden barn-tools and a three-pronged pitchfork stretched up towards the whitewashed wooden beams. Glenda doesn't buy new furniture, favouring well-taken-care-of antiques and unique decor items like the ornate candelabra and travel trunks which bring life and character to the space. Every room feels stylish but lived-in because of pieces like the previously-loved dresser and long dining-room table made for a barn-full of people to break bread together. The persian rugs in every room bring a warmth to the space while the beds with crisp linen and faux-fur throws are deliciously luxurious. Every element of comfortable country living has been considered from the kitchen kitted out with everything you need to the crystal decanter set. But the most remarkable thing about the barn house is the fact that wherever you are, giant windows frame the glorious views of the pine forests leading your eye down to the lake and the purple mountains beyond.
Three unique venues, The Stables, Barn and Loft are tucked into various scenic spots on the picturesque Glenogle Farm. Although the property is not far from the R71 and the heart of Magoebaskloof, it is embraced by the natural landscape so that it feels a million miles away from the world. Each of the unique, stylish and private self-catering cottages has their own appeal. While our venue, The Barn sleeps up to six people in three rooms with two bathrooms, The Stables is a luxurious double-story venue positioned between the horse stables and paddock. On the lower level is a spacious, open-plan living area with personally-collected antiques, a dining area with a vaulted ceiling and an open, feature fireplace. A spiral staircase leads to the upper level with two bedrooms and a bathroom looking out through the Oaks to the paddock below. The Loft, the smallest venue, is an exclusive, romantic hideaway tucked into a pine forest overlooking the lake. This enchanting space features a bedroom with an elegant four-poster king-size bed, high ceilings, beautiful French shutters, scented candles and a cosy fireplace or private deck to while away the day together.
Owners, Glenda and David Hancock first visited Magoebaskloof in 1995 for a weekend getaway with good friends and decided that this scenic area was perfect for a holiday home. Four years later they took the plunge, buying a 21 hectare property near Clearwater Cove road spending every weekend there fishing, playing cricket on the lawn, swimming in the dam, cycling and horse riding. Over the years, they have had three farms in the area, of which Glenogle was the third, bought in 2011 and when Glenda relocated permanently to the farm in 2015 with their youngest son for schooling, they opened The Stables cottage as a self-catering unit. The response was incredible and The Loft opened the following year. The family soon outgrew the weekend cottage, now The Barn, and completed their family home at the top end of the farm in May 2023, going largely off-grid in all the venues. These three delightful cottages make Glenogle Farm the perfect exclusive hideaway for guests to relax and rejuvenate the soul.
Connect with them on 083 259 8321 |www.glenoglefarm.co.za