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Verkykerskop Country Village & Farm Retreat

 
 

Description

Verkykerskop Plaasdorp (Country Village) lies nestled amongst the table topped sandstone mountains of the Klein Drakensberg escarpment in the eastern Free State province of South Africa. Where five roads from all directions meet, the farms Verkykerskop and Aansluit were the logic point of contact during the Boer War, and the subsequent establishment of a police outpost, one room school, grain mill, blacksmith shop, post office, and auction kraal brought about the birth of this village.

The village layed dormant for a century until city folks, Matt and Beth Hoffman, yearning for their roots, bought the village and started reviving it to its yesteryear glory. An old farm shed now serves as a carpentry workshop, and together with the “Boeresaal”, has hosted regular festivals with performers such as Chris Chameleon, Valiant Swart, Ollie Viljoen, Karen Zoid, Frank Opperman and Shawn Else; the well-known De la Rey musical by Bok van Blerk was shot nearby.

Original homesteads as well as the old school and blacksmith shop were converted into guest houses and cottages. The old general dealer was revived into a pub, tea garden, antique shop and Smileys Restaurant. New facilities that were added include the Central Motel, a deli butcher shop, agricultural shop with fuel, and the modernisation of the police station.

Matt subsequently convinced his friends Louis Grobler and Chris Cameleon to join him in buying the 700 hectare farmland surrounding the village on which the original Aansluit Estate is now being rebuilt as a working farm and conservation area, boasting antelope, an Nguni herd, and the Aboukir Arab Stud.

Our accommodation at Verkykerskop is three star graded and covers the full spectrum including camping, farm and village cottages, guest houses, and the fully en suite motel. We cater for quiet farm stays, family get togethers, tour bikers, mountain bikers and other adrenaline junkies, as well as for weddings and corporate conferences.

With over 30 km of trails on the estate we offer horse, mountain bike and quad bike rides, as well as fishing, wing and game hunting, and wetland birding. The Witkoppen Gymkhana Club has one of their venues on the estate for your enjoyment, with our neighbours the Oakdale Polo Estate half an hour's drive down the road. We are one of only a few establishments who welcomes you with your pets, including your horse.

Its this winning combination of country village and outdoor living that makes this destination so unique. Our country hospitality and the pleasures of farm life will surely see you return.

Check-In  02:00 PM   Check-Out 11:00 AM

Character: South Africa's only village on a farm. It's this combination of country living and farm getaway that is unique to Verkykerskop.

Food & Gastronomy: We have a fully equipped modern bakery, deli butcher, pizza oven and old time country cuisine restaurant on site, under the experienced hand of chef Matt Hoffman. Our Sunday farm buffet is the best in the land.

Great Outdoors: Unique offerings of 30 km of trails with mountain biking, horse safaris and leisure out rides, hiking, birding, hunting, fishing, quad biking and much more.

Wedding Venues: Contact us to plan and arrange your wedding, including everything from catering to lodging of guests.

Conference venue: Our venue caters for a group of up to 40 people. Our very unique character of a village on a working farm in a pristine environment is a very interesting and enticing alternative for a corporate indaba.

Pets Permitted: You may even bring your own horse and lodge it with us during your stay.

Price & Availability

ON REQUEST
Thursday 11th September
  • Per Person Sharing:
  • R450
  • Per Person:
  • R600
  • Per Unit:
  • R1350
  • Minimum Stay:
  • 2 Nights
 
Check-in
03 June 2012
 
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Afsluit GuesthouseX 1
Includes: Self-catering
The interior of Afsluit is befitting the homestead of a typical Afrikaner farm at the beginning of the previous century, but with all the luxuries of modern time. The guesthouse includes a fully equipped kitchen with a coffee machine, gas, electrical, microwave ovens,wireless internet connectivity and DStv (please bring your own card). Two double rooms each with an extra single bed, one family suite with a double room and an extra single bed plus annexed children's room with two single beds.
Bathroom Facilities Shared bathroom
Beds Double beds, Queen beds, Single beds
Other Fireplace, Balcony/patio, Self-catering, Heater, Radio, Tea and Coffee Facilities, Wi-Fi, Safe, No Smoking in Rooms
TV DStv
Views Garden
 
Afsluit Guestho ..
Sleeps 11 Price: p/p sharing
  • R350
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Old School CottageX 1
Includes: Self-catering
The old one man school dating from 1940 was renovated and is now being used as a self catering tourist cottage. Within the cottage there is one double room and one children's room with bunk beds. An open plan lounge and kitchenette, no electricity but gas stove, wood stove and gas geyser.
Bathroom Facilities Shared bathroom
Beds Double beds, Bunk beds
Other Fireplace, Balcony/patio, Self-catering, No Smoking in Rooms
Views Mountain, Dam
 
Old School Cott ..
Sleeps 4 Price: p/p sharing
  • R200
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Outpost InnX 1
Includes: Self-catering
One double room and one family suite with double room and children's room with two single beds.
Bathroom Facilities Shared bathroom
Beds Single beds, Double beds
Other Fireplace, Balcony/patio, Self-catering, No Smoking in Rooms
TV DStv
Views Dam
 
Outpost Inn
Sleeps 6 Price: p/p sharing
  • R250
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The Central MotelX 1
Includes: Self-catering
Three double rooms and one family suite with a double room plus annexed children's room with two single beds. All units en suite with bar fridge and satellite TV, no self-catering, dining in Smileys Restaurant next door.
Bathroom Facilities Bath only
Beds Single beds, Queen beds
Other Fireplace, Balcony/patio, Heater, Tea and Coffee Facilities, Wi-Fi, No Smoking in Rooms
TV DStv
Views Mountain, Garden, Dam
 
The Central Motel
Sleeps 10 Price: p/p sharing
  • R400
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Townsview CottageX 1
Includes: Self-catering
One double room and one family suite with a double room and children's room with two single beds.
Bathroom Facilities Shared bathroom
Beds Single beds, Double beds
Other No Smoking in Rooms, Fireplace, Balcony/patio, Self-catering
TV DStv
 
Townsview Cottage
Sleeps 6 Price: p/p sharing
  • R250
  • R250
  • R250
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Rate Colour Key:
 
On Request
 
Unavailable
 
Unspecified
* Please note that these rates are a guide and are subject to change. Please confirm availability by requesting a quote.

Afsluit Guesthouse x 1

Includes: Self-catering

The interior of Afsluit is befitting the homestead of a typical Afrikaner farm at the beginning of the previous century, but with all the luxuries of modern time. The guesthouse includes a fully equipped kitchen with a coffee machine, gas, electrical, microwave ovens,wireless internet connectivity and DStv (please bring your own card). Two double rooms each with an extra single bed, one family suite with a double room and an extra single bed plus annexed children's room with two single beds.

Features available

Bathroom Facilities Shared bathroom
Beds Double beds, Queen beds, Single beds
Other Fireplace, Balcony/patio, Self-catering, Heater, Radio, Tea and Coffee Facilities, Wi-Fi, Safe, No Smoking in Rooms
TV DStv
Views Garden

Old School Cottage x 1

Includes: Self-catering

The old one man school dating from 1940 was renovated and is now being used as a self catering tourist cottage. Within the cottage there is one double room and one children's room with bunk beds. An open plan lounge and kitchenette, no electricity but gas stove, wood stove and gas geyser.

Features available

Bathroom Facilities Shared bathroom
Beds Bunk beds, Double beds
Other No Smoking in Rooms, Fireplace, Balcony/patio, Self-catering
Views Mountain, Dam

Outpost Inn x 1

Includes: Self-catering

One double room and one family suite with double room and children's room with two single beds.

Features available

Bathroom Facilities Shared bathroom
Beds Double beds, Single beds
Other No Smoking in Rooms, Fireplace, Balcony/patio, Self-catering
TV DStv
Views Dam

The Central Motel x 1

Includes: Self-catering

Three double rooms and one family suite with a double room plus annexed children's room with two single beds. All units en suite with bar fridge and satellite TV, no self-catering, dining in Smileys Restaurant next door.

Features available

Bathroom Facilities Bath only
Beds Queen beds, Single beds
Other Fireplace, Balcony/patio, Heater, Tea and Coffee Facilities, Wi-Fi, No Smoking in Rooms
TV DStv
Views Mountain, Garden, Dam

Townsview Cottage x 1

Includes: Self-catering

One double room and one family suite with a double room and children's room with two single beds.

Features available

Bathroom Facilities Shared bathroom
Beds Double beds, Single beds
Other No Smoking in Rooms, Fireplace, Balcony/patio, Self-catering
TV DStv

Facilities

Facilities and Services

  • Internet Access
  • Parking Available
  • Laundry Service
  • Braai / Barbecue
  • Bar on the Premises
  • Library
  • Off Street Parking
  • Fireplace on the Premises
  • WiFi
  • Internet
  • Boma Fire
  • Credit Card Facility
  • Curio Shop
  • Fully Equipped Kitchen
 

Dining

  • Restaurant on the Premises
  • A la carte Menu Offered
  • Breakfast Served
  • Lunch Served
  • Dinner Served
  • Set Menu Offered
 

Facilities in Rooms/Units

  • No Smoking in Rooms
  • Heater in Rooms
  • WiFi
  • Two - pronged plug point Available
 

Environment

  • Mountain
  • Countryside
  • Great Outdoors
  • Farm
 

Activities Nearby

  • Bird Watching
  • Bicycle Touring
  • Canoeing / Kayaking
  • Climbing - Sport
  • Fishing - Fly
  • Fishing - Freshwater
  • Horse Riding
  • Paddling - Canoeing
  • Paddling - Kayaking
  • Walking
  • Camping
  • Hiking / Backpacking
  • 4 X 4 Trails
  • Quad Biking
 

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Zulu (isiZulu)
  • Afrikaans
  • Northern Sotho (Sesotho sa Leboa)
 

Conference

  • Television Available
  • Conference Venue <25 People
  • DVD Player Available
  • Flip Chart Available
 

Grading

  • 3 Stars - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa
 

Verkykerskop Country Village & Farm Retreat Map

Nearby Places

*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling distance.

In and Around

Nearby Locations
Nearest Airport
Featured Destinations
 

Customer Reviews

Reviews 5 of 8
Skoolhuisie verblyf
Betzie Hough, South Africa
16 May 2012
Not being into 'Top Billing Bling' this is the kind of place that touches my heart. Was everything I could have asked for.
Fantastic!
Sunelle Spies, South Africa
23 May 2011
Die "old school cottage" is die beste plek om weg te kom uit die stad se gejaag, die ou tydse atmosfeer en plaas geluide en ruimte maak dit absoluut die moeite werd! Dit was wonderlik! The 'old school cottage' is the best place to get away from the busy city. The old fashioned atmosphere and farm sounds and space makes this absolutely worth it! It was wonderful!
It was great!
Sheryl Hesom, South Africa
02 May 2011
We stayed at the old school house. It was really so quaint and lovely! Loved the old stove as well as the paraffin lamps. The friendliness of everyone in the town was awesome. We were doing a quad trip that had taken us nearly all day and we were freezing. They were so welcoming at the shop. Thanks to all at Verkykerskop. We will be back.
Outpost Inn - Verkykerskop
Annake Van Coller, South Africa
18 December 2010
Dit was wonderlik om na die gietende reen en glyerige paaie in die middel van die nag so vriendelik verwelkom te word deur Stephan. Lieflike ou huis waarin ons gebly het, met die mooiste landskap as uitsig. Stephan, Louis en Melissa, dankie vir jul gasvrydeid (en die lekker pizza). Die plekkie het ons hart gesteel en ons gaan beslis terugkom. Louis en Annake It was wonderful to receive such a warm welcome after the rain and the wet roads in the middle of the night. The lovely old ... more
Outpost Inn
Hanli Neuhuber, South Africa
20 November 2010
This was exactly what we needed, a getaway in the most beautiful part of SA. I would recommend this place to anybody who would like to go and have a proper rest far, far away from the daily city buzz. It was amazing and we will be back in the near future. Tracey - thanks for the booking and your after service and a big thank you to Louis, who made this visit possible.

Show More Reviews
From R200
 
 
  • This means you get the lowest available rates Best Price Promise
  • Lodge,Self-catering
     
  • 37 
 

Customer Rating

8 Customer Reviews
 
 
(5)
 
 
(3)
 
 
(0)
 
 
(0)
 
 
(0)
 
from 8 Guest Reviews

Recommendations

Yes No
Character 8 0
Food & Gastronomy 6 0
Great Outdoors 7 0
Wedding Venues 2 0
Conference venue 2 0
Pets Permitted 2 0
 

Skoolhuisie verblyf…”  Read More

Betzie Hough, South Africa - 16 May 2012

Fantastic!…”  Read More

Sunelle Spies, South Africa - 23 May 2011
Afsluit Gastehuis
Example Of Self Catering Cottages
Smileys Restaurant And Retro General Dealer
Fly Fishing
We Are Traditional Horse Country
Quad And Mountain Bike Rides
Old School Cottage Interior
Afsluit Interior
Fayak, Sire At Aboukir Arab Stud
Cattle Country
Map