De Erf Manor House

THE MANOR HOUSE

De Erf Manor House has been restored and recreated to offer the best that this unique part of the Karoo can provide.
About 3 km directly south of Graaff-Reinet the majestic Spandaukop towers over an almost forgotten architectural relic of early Graaff-Reinet, the homestead of the farm De Erf which lies along the Sundays River. The building, with its whitewashed walls and towering gables, was built circa 1806. It has the distinctive Cape Dutch H-shape design which it shares, in Graaff-Reinet, only with Reinet House. Almost all of the outbuildings used over the year...

THE MANOR HOUSE

De Erf Manor House has been restored and recreated to offer the best that this unique part of the Karoo can provide.
About 3 km directly south of Graaff-Reinet the majestic Spandaukop towers over an almost forgotten architectural relic of early Graaff-Reinet, the homestead of the farm De Erf which lies along the Sundays River. The building, with its whitewashed walls and towering gables, was built circa 1806. It has the distinctive Cape Dutch H-shape design which it shares, in Graaff-Reinet, only with Reinet House. Almost all of the outbuildings used over the years such as the forge, coach house and blacksmith's shop are still intact. It is in these buildings that a haven has been created where you can enjoy country life at its best.

ACCOMMODATION:

De Erf Manor House currently offers three luxury en suite double bedrooms with private entrances. Ilse takes pride in providing percale linen and pure wool duvets sourced from the best suppliers. Amongst other things, these rooms have DStv, air conditioning, huge fans and mosquito nets. A fruit bowl and sherry await you upon your arrival. In addition, almost anything is possible on request.

There are, aside from the little farm things, a swimming pool, two unridable horses and a milk cow that tends to wander off. If one is still bored, Graaff-Reinet, a living museum, beckons to be discovered.

DINING:

The most memorable activity at De Erf is consuming fine food. The blacksmith's workshop has been turned into the breakfast room where delectable dishes are served. We don't stuff around with good food and we use only the best and freshest ingredients.

Breakfast: We serve two mighty fine breakfasts. The Continental breakfast over here is not the boring nonsense you get elsewhere. You know what I mean? Toast that could kill a cow served with little jam thingies and not enough butter. Our continental feast, on the other hand, will take the oil out of your day. A fresh fruit platter accompanies yogurt and fruit served in a stemmed glass. There are lots of different delectable cold meats, kudu salami, delightful fresh, homemade bread or muffins and locally produced jam or marmalade in little thingies. The milk is farm fresh and the juice too, depending on the season. There are a lot of other things like boiled eggs and super cheeses but I am running out of space and I am hungry all of a sudden.

The almost English breakfast (you don't get karoo lamb sausage in England, I am told) is something else. The eggs are from De Erf (Ok, I lie we buy them next door, but they are good and prepared to perfection in whatever form you want and believe you me, we have had some really finicky people here). The bacon is as good as it gets. Then to get you properly stuffed we have home baked bread (this time honest Injun), tomatoes and mushrooms all to be washed down by refreshing fruit juice. A fine cup of coffee is always on the lurk, that is if you don't want tea. I don't have much of a sense of humor at 8 am, so Ilse will look after you. She will also decorate your plate with little flowers and other things I don't get to see. Incidentally, there are no photographs of the 'English' breakfast. Cold eggs don't take kindly to cameras and you don't want an angry egg around, do you?

HONEYMOONS:

A honeymoon here is an experience in itself. A bottle of champagne, other nice dreamy stuff, romantic lighting (the result of a combination of candles and fairy lights) and the finest percale linen await the honeymooners. There is a ball and claw bath made for bubbles or super showers that can house four, but under the circumstances, two will do.