Babylostoren in Franschhoek, South Africa - February 2024
I have recently had the pleasure of discovering the wonderful gardens at Babylonstoren in Franschhoek, South Africa.
If you have visited their British version at the Newt in Somerset you won’t be disappointed as both are beautifully designed to take you on a journey of wonderment and tranquility.
The Newt in Somerset and Babylonstoren are both properties owned by Karen Roos and Koos Bekker. The Newt is a hotel and garden in Somerset, England, and Babylonstoren is a garden, vineyard and hotel in the Cape Winelands of South Africa. The Newt was inspired by Babylonstoren, and the two properties share a focus on gardens, food, and first class hospitality.
A view of the vines at Babylonstoren - September 2021
The Apiary at Babylonstoren
“Babylostoren is Set within 5 hectares (12 acres) of cultivated fruit and vegetables, the garden is at the heart of the farm. It was inspired by the historic Company’s Garden in Cape Town, which supplied sailing ships of the Dutch East India Company with fresh vegetables and fruit during the days when the Cape was a halfway station between Europe and Asia. But we also link back to the mythological hanging gardens of Babylon. Those were thought to have been created by Nebuchadnezzar in the sixth century BC, for his wife who longed for the mountains and valleys of her youth.”
Babylonstoren - February 2024
“The Newt–Influenced by thousands of years of horticultural history, take a stroll through acres of formal gardens and perhaps learn something along the way. We share the land with a host of wildlife; you may spot native deer promenading in the woods or Great Crested newts bathing in the ponds.”
A feature at The Newt - September 2021
The tree lined bridge at The Newt - September 2021
Harvest display at The Newt - September 2021
A glance at the start of the gardens at The Newt - September 2021
Find out more about the wonderful gardens at The Newt here.
A beautiful array of local produce - February 2024
Find out more about the wonderful gardens at Babylonstoren here.
A view of the cacti at Babylonstoren - February 2024
A display at Babylonstoren - February 2024
I can highly reccommend a visit to both Babylonstoren and The Newt. I hear they also have wonderful accommodation too. Now that’s something I must enjoy next time…
Thanks for reading
