Amazing Camphor Forest to explore at Vergelegen Wine Estate

Trees are amazing - immovable, peaceful, serene, fearless, stoic, content, connected, grounded, complex and beautiful. Here are a few I enjoyed seeing on our holiday to the Cape in April:

The Camphor Forest at Vergelegen Wine Estate

These are really some of the most spectacular trees I have seen and a whole forest of them is something to witness. Visitors are able to enjoy classical picnics in the camphor forest from November - April by pre-booking (no private picnics). The five enormous camphor trees in front of the Homestead are over 300 years old and were planted by WIllem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700. (See previous post on Vergelegen as well as Vergelegen’s Website)

5 Enormous Trees in front of the Homestead at Vergelegen Estate

Royal Oak Tree at Vergelegen Wine Estate

Another beauty on the same estate is the Royal Oak which was planted in 1928 and was grown from one of the last acorns of King Alfred’s Oak at Blenheim Palace, England. It has an emormous crown diameter and stand majestically in the lawn. The plaque below the tree reads “Acorns from this tree were personally collected on 23rd of April 1947 by His Majesty King George VI for replanting in Windsor Park” as well as “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II unveiled this plaque on 21 March 1995 in commemoration of her visit to Vergelegen”. The oldest Oak tree to be recorded (planted around 1700) is a stone’s throw away but is not nearly as spectacular.

Ficus at Natte Valleij Wine Farm

I discovered this tree while we stayed at accommodation (the Hen House) on Natte Valleij wine farm in Stellenbosch. The wine farm is not very large or well known so the tree is a bit off the beaten track. The buttress roots are as thick as any average tree trunk and they snake their way across the ground like large limbs. The smooth grey roots are thick enough to sit on and we had fun jumping our way around the main trunk.

Trees at Newlands Forest

While many of these species are Pine trees there are clumps of indigenous vegetation along the hiking routes and if you are a tree lover you will appreciate any beautiful tree whether they are exotic or indigneous.

Also worth visiting is The Company Gardens in the city centre where an enormous Rubber Tree can be seen as well as several other historic and beautiful trees. There are so many more to talk about, some we pass by each day without really noticing them. Open your eyes to the wonder all around you!

View of the Mountains from Stables Restaurant at Vergelegen

You know you have arrived somewhere special when your heart starts beating slower as you drive down the oak tree lined driveway and approach the entrance gate to Vergelegen Estate. This historic farm was granted to Governer Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700. Here he built an estate that reflected the Renaissance influence of wealthy estates and palaces in Europe with their symmetrical plans and ornate gardens. Vergelegen was laid out with a double walled octagonal garden, radial avenues, and four flanking outbuildings - the slave lodge, water mill/stable, the wine cellar and the pigeon house.

The gardens are vast and many hours can be spent exploring them. When the estate was taken over by Anglo American group in 1987 they tasked their team to restore the grounds to the historic core of the estate and this emphasis can clearly be felt. There are 17 unique gardens to explore and wander through including: Octagonal Garden, David Austin Rose Garden, Reflection Garden, Rose Garden, Sundial Garden, Bamboo Garden, East Garden (In front of Stables), Agapanthus Garden, Camellia Garden of Excellence, Wetland Garden, Fynbos Garden (Cellar), Hydrangea Garden, Yellowwood Walk, Maple Garden, Oak Arboretum, Camphor Forest, Ginko Trees, and the Children’s Adventure Garden.

Sundial Garden next to the newly renovated Wine Tasting Centre and Stables Restaurant

Information Centre and Wine Tasting is the first building you enter from the Parking Area

The Octagonal garden is bordered by a pergola covered walkway along the perimeter and a beautiful garden within this formal enclosed space. A herbaceous border has been planted on either side of the pathway leading to the Homestead with more large Camphor trees adjacent the building.

There is so much to see on this beautiful estate that you may not fit everything in. I advise exploring the gardens in a clockwise direction from the Information Centre. Starting in the Sundial Garden first make your way to the Octagonal Garden, then the Rose Garden, Camphor Forest, Wetland Walk, Reflection Garden, and ending at the Stables restaurant. If you have kids they will have fun in the play area while you enjoy a glass of wine (or coke) after all the walking. If you still have energy you can do the maze which is made from non fruit bearing vines. Depending on how much time you have will also determine if you can fit in the Maple Tree and Yellowwood Walk into your visit. Remember Camellia peak flowering times are June to August so make sure to fit that in if you’re visiting in winter.

The Camphor Forest is absolutely breathtaking. You feel as if you are transported into another world as you walk through this enchanted landscape. The trees have been grown from seedlings from the ‘Big Five’ which are the five original Camphor trees planted in 1700 situated at the front of the Homestead.

You may also be interested in the refurbished and exquisitely furnished buildings such as the Homestead and Library as well as dining at one of the three venues: Camphors at Vergelegen is the signature restaurant overlooking the lawns and gardens located next to the historic Homestead; Stables at Vergelegen is a more casual dining experience with a lovely play area close by and stunning views of the Hottentots Holland mountain range; and finally the Picnic at Vergelegen can be pre-booked and enjoyed in the incredible Camphor tree forest between November and April.

Playground which is situated next to Stables Restaurant

Vergelegen has a vast and rich history and diverse and beautiful gardens that they clearly put a lot of time and effort into maintaining. A visit to this special estate is a rich and rewarding experience.

(Some of the Photographs are from my visit in 2016 and others were taken at my most recent visit - April 2021)

Contact Info

Address:
Vergelegen Estate | Somerset West, South Africa

Phone:
+27 21 847 2100

Email:
info@vergelegen.co.za