Situated in the heart of the Overberg, in the picturesque farming town of Swellendam you will find Schoone Oordt Country House. This well-known and much photographed Victorian landmark presides over 5000m2 of lush grounds, incorporating eight magnificently crafted, luxurious suites and a romantic honeymoon hide-away. The grounds contain manicured lawns, secret woodland glades, vegetable/herb gardens, a sparkling swimming pool, tranquil fountains and a fragrant rose garden.

Built in 1853, Schoone Oordt was home to the Anderson sisters who started the first girls school in Swellendam and lived in the original homestead. When the sisters retired to Suurbraak the property was handed to J.Z. Human, who added the upper storey, giving the building it’s beautifully proportioned Georgian front. Towards the end of the century, Eli Buirski, mayor of Swellendam from 1915-1923, became owner and added the Victorian filigree-laced verandah thereby blending the two eras. The house then passed through various owners, each adding or changing some aspects of the structure, until it was rescued from delapidation in the late 60’s by Herman and Dulcie Moore. Herman left the restoration of the house to Dulcie who drove up and down the main street each day looking for able bodies to roll wheelbarrows and swing sledgehammers. After two years, when the house was complete Herman fell ill and the family moved away to be closer to a hospital. The house then acquired a new owner, the slightly eccentric school Headmaster of the time. Schoone Oordt and its grounds were declared a national monument in 1983 and was then owned by the local chemist, Danie Theron. The Theron family lived and worked there for over twenty years until Richard and Alison Walker purchased it in 2003.

After almost five years of painstaking restoration and building (most of which has been done by Richard himself), the property has been instilled with love, heart and soul and the aged walls have been given a new lease on life. Schoone Oordt Country House is now home to the Walkers, their sons Kai and Ashe and a selection of family pets.

Eight luxury guest cottages and a honeymoon cottage have been carefully designed to blend with the character of the main house. The house holds testament to Richard’s keen eye for true collectors’ pieces and his love of antique hunting. No detail has been overlooked. Alison has years of experience in the advertising industry and in event production, so if you have a celebration in mind, Al will bring it to life! Schoone Oordt Country House is, of course, just perfect for relaxing and reviving the spirit.

“...dit schoone oordt waar de ziel in zich zelve terugkeert en rust geniet; waar alles zingt van vrede en stilte...”

Translated from Dutch... “this beautiful haven, where the soul finds rest through introspection and everything sings of peace and contentment….”