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The Garden Cottage

Accommodation - Nieu Bethesda - THE GARDEN HOUSE

Discover Serenity at The Garden House

Nestled among the tranquil trees near the main house of The Rest farm, The Garden House beckons you to experience nature’s embrace. Step outside and immerse yourself in the beauty of the surroundings, with a mountain trail awaiting just beyond your doorstep.

Year-Round Comfort

Whether you’re seeking refuge from the summer heat or warmth during winter’s chill, The Garden House offers a cozy retreat. Enjoy the cool breeze in summer, while an old stove keeps the interiors snug and warm during the winter months.

A Welcoming Retreat

Step inside to find a well-appointed space designed for comfort and relaxation. The main room features a double bed, with additional sleeping arrangements provided by a curtained-off double bed and bunk bed, ensuring privacy for all guests. A small yet efficient kitchen and lounge area offer everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Modern Amenities, Natural Beauty

Refresh and rejuvenate in the modern bathroom, complete with a shower and toilet. For those who prefer the invigorating experience of an outdoor shower, a hot shower awaits just outside. Eco-conscious compost toilets nearby ensure convenience for all guests.

Perfect for Every Traveler

Ideal for couples, families, and solo adventurers alike, The Garden House offers the flexibility to enjoy solitude or join in the warmth of family meals. Embrace the serenity of nature while staying connected to the heart of farm life.

Plan Your Getaway

Escape to The Garden House for a memorable retreat amidst the tranquility of The Rest farm.

KarooRest - THE Garden COTTAG
KarooRest - THE Garden COTTAG
KarooRest - THE Garden COTTAG
KarooRest - Accommodation - The Garden House (2)
KarooRest - Accommodation - The Garden House (3)
KarooRest - Accommodation - The Garden House (4)
KarooRest - Accommodation - The Garden House
KarooRest - The Rest - Entrance - South Africa -

The Rest Farm Retreat in the Serene Sneeuberg Mountains

Retreat. Heal. Reconnect.

We experience the seasons acutely up in the mountains. Snow is not uncommon in winter and summer floods create dramatic patterns in the landscape. 

The spring is celebrated with beautiful veld flowers and the fruit trees are their best as they display their blossoms. While we rarely experience the searing heat of the lowlands, hot summer days are enjoyed in the river sheltered by the poplar grove. Autumns are dramatic, as the forest turns from green to red, gold and orange.

Homemade bread, farmstyle meals, grassfed Karoochoice meat and eggs (when available) can be purchased on the farm (bread and meals need time to make). We are one hour away from the nearest grocery shop so you need to bring everything else!

No load-shedding! We are powered by solar!

We have two rustic, family sized, self catering cottages available on the farm. We also have three cute caravans that are fully equipped. In the summer months, camping is a fun and good value option

We recommend a digital detox but we do have good wifi connection if you need it.  There is no cellphone signal on the farm.

We are committed to reducing our footprint on this earth

We are guided by a strong environmentally sustainable policy in our farming and guest houses.  We have decided against en suite bathrooms and energy hungry appliances because we are working actively towards water and energy conservation.

We invite you to join us to reduce your footprint too!

The water is the best you will find to drink.  If you don’t need to use it for other things then don’t!

We like to reuse, recycle, repair and compost!

Pets are welcome if they are well trained and not tempted to hunt.  Ours is a sensitive ecosystem and we ask you to respect it as such.

Accommodation - Nieu Bethesda - THE GARDEN HOUSE

The Garden Cottage

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Discover Stories of Transformation

Read what our guests have to say about their life-changing experiences at The Rest.

Magical location! Great for families. A must if you’re looking to get away from it all!!!

Kristin

Kristin

Amazing experience if you are looking for something different + a real family feel from the hosts + stars for Africa.

Alistair

Alistair

What an amazing place! I thoroughly enjoyed staying at The Rest. I cannot wait to go back. If you want peace, quiet and solitude, this is the place for you. Walking in the mountains with not a soul in sight. It was pure adventure.

Melvin

Melvin

The Rest is a unique and incredible place. There is such a sense of freedom and safety and Paula was a phenomenal host. A wonderful place to get away from normal life and explore the true beauty of the Karoo. Highlights for us included climbing the mountain for sunrise after a snowfall and enjoying hearty meals made with grass fed beef grown right there on the farm. Don’t miss out on that, or a loaf of home made bread!

Jessica

Jessica

Fantastic. The Shepherd’s Cottage might be rustic but was well appointed and suited to my purposes, which was a quiet time to do some studies while exploring. There is no cell phone reception but there is a good working WiFi to stay in contact. There is good MTB riding experience or just go for a walk but remember no WiFi away from the cottage. I recommend at least a few days stay to properly appreciate the time there.

Patrick

Patrick

Awesome view and ambience. Clean and all you need for a break from the city hassel and bussel.

Eugene

Eugene

Rustic and beautiful. Stunning views. Exceptional hospitality. Freshly baked bread on arrival. We enjoyed our stay very much. Magnificent surroundings. Paula and her family are very warm and welcoming.

Talitha

Talitha

What a wonderful, peaceful space! Thank you very much for sharing this with us. We can see the love and care.

gert

Gert

A very special and recommended place. They rent two houses: one at the entrance to the property; and another next to the family home. I was in the first one, big and comfortable. Good people, the Kingwills!. If you book through Airbnb, ignore some reviews. The access road does not kill anyone! If I got there with a Hyundai I10, you can too!.

Xavier Cristòfol Mas

Xavier

Farm life and a space to rest is the most practical way to shake off the city. The Rest – brings you back to your roots.

Jenny Morris

Jenny

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Getting to The Rest
We are half way between Cape Town and Johannesberg (about 8 hours in either direction) half an hour off the N9 highway. We are an hour from Graaff-Reinet and 25 minutes from Nieu Bethesda.

To Drive: Email us for directions and check on the current state of the road and how your car will fare on the dirt roads.

Carpool to workshops: Join the event on the Facebook page and see who is keen to carpool. Email us to put you in touch with other drivers coming from your area.

Bus: Both Intercape and Translux stop in Graaff-Reinet. We will arrange to pick you up from the bus station and bring you to the farm directly or via a guest house (buses usually arrive at awkward times in the late or early hours.)
Email us to arrange this.

Fly: Catch a flight to Port Elizabeth and hire car to drive to the farm (this is a four hour drive).
Co-ordinate with other workshop participants who want to do the same. Email us for directions.

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