Perfect Hideaways: Ashford House, Plettenberg Bay

Tucked into the hills high above Robberg Beach, less than a ten-minute drive from the centre of Plettenberg Bay, Ashford House rests on 210 hectares of farmland, Macadamia orchards and Cape Ash trees. Here you’ll find indigenous forests, dams and rivers, a country cricket club, horse paddocks, and endless trails for avid cyclists and mountaineers to explore.

A contemporary African take on an English countryside cottage. This hideaway opens its apex reed ceilings to the views of the valley and the ocean in the distance. It subsequently beckons you in to a timeless, classical space of elegance and grace. Family heirlooms, treasured antiques, neutral tones of soft vanillas, greys and whites, wash up against the walnut chests and deep reds of the exposed brick walls.

Layers of texture elevate the open plan nature of the three-bedroomed home. Grass rugs rest over oak floors. Tall glass doors and windows and soft linen furniture occupy the living, dining and reclining spaces. All open out to a wide, curved verandah, overlooking the green lawn, the pool and magnificent views of the farmland.

Blissful farm days

You’ll be reminded of being a child again, in the serene surroundings of Ashford’s farm. Your days begin with a lovely, long walk around the dams, into the hills and alongside the rivers. The occasional dip into fresh water before heading back for a rinse under the outdoor shower, or into the pool.

Perhaps a dip in the indoor pool in the nursery and separate steam room, where the orchids and ferns are thriving. A lazy brunch on the stoep before an afternoon excursion into town to stock up on the evening’s supplies.

You’re likely to catch a few waves and build a few castles on the beach – working up an appetite for the feasting that ensues around the braai later on. First, a round of golf, maybe? Or back to the farm for some fishing.

The paddle boats are waiting. As are the bass and tilapia. Sundowners on the verandah as you watch the sunbirds and the swallows dart through the reeds of the dam and into the pink sky. The occasional duiker wandering down to the watering hole for a dip and a sip.

As the night sets in and the stars light up the valley’s darkness, so do the trees. Think fairy lights and lanterns, holding a spotlight for the resident owls that love a good choir singalong before bed. You’ll rest peacefully with the lovely sounds of stillness. The security of feeling so safe and removed from the town, all doors and windows wide open, exposed to nature’s elements. And isn’t that what holidays in the countryside, beside the sea are all about?

What we love!

Ashford House is a working farm with wonderful farm managers who reside on the property.
Both Harry and Solomon will be around, riding their quad bikes, fixing machinery and seeing to all of things related to the farm, as well as assisting you with whatever you need.
The feeling of being completely removed from the town, its occasional chaos and holiday hustle. Yet it’s only a 5-minute drive away from the farm, to the nearest supermarket and onto the beaches.
There is a total sense of security that comes with the seclusion of the house. Spending time in the valley with the incredible birdlife and wildlife, knowing you are at your liberty to explore the land and rest easy with the support of the staff.