Accommodation
A pet friendly, eco-friendly sustainable cottage experience with a touch of Tolkien
Underhill Cottage
Sleeps up to
2 people
Rates from
N/A
Underhill Cottage is built back to back to the main farmhouse with its own views of the valley, upper farm, and the Franschhoek Mountains.
This is currently used by the owner Julian and farm manager Cobus. Should you need anything and they are not around on the farm, you will find them there.
Rivendell Cottage
Sleeps up to
up to 5 people
Rates from
R2000 a night
Hobbit Hollow
Sleeps up to
4 people
Rates from
R1800 a night
Hobbit Hollow: A Journey into a World of Whimsy
Nestled in the belly of Underhill Farm, Hobbit Hollow is a unique tribute to the beauty of nature. This enchanting cottage, inspired by the spirit of underground hobbit living, is an architectural marvel, seamlessly integrated into the riverbank. It stands as the most secluded cottage on the Botrivier side of the farm, a true haven for those who seek an intimate connection with the natural world.
Versatile Spaces for Every Moment
For those tranquil days when the river’s flow takes a pause, Hobbit Hollow presents a peaceful seated area, shaded by the forest canopy, a delightful plunge pool, and a deck inviting you to indulge in refreshing dips on warm summer days. All are nestled within a grassy, securely enclosed garden, wrapped in the comforting embrace of the forest.
Cozy Comfort and Artful Details
Inside the cottage, you’ll find a cosy haven featuring a king-size bed in the master suite, and a sofa bed in the lounge in front of the fire. A bathroom, complete with a skylight, welcomes the sun’s gentle rays. The fully equipped kitchen invites you to embark on culinary adventures.
The Hearth of Hobbit Hollow: A Cast Iron Stove
At the heart of Hobbit Hollow stands a cast iron stove, radiating a warm and inviting glow that embraces you on chilly winter nights. With the newly built open-plan lounge featuring large windows and doors that frame a breathtaking view of the river ahead, you can bask in the enduring warmth of the fire during winter or let the gentle summer breeze soothe you in the warmer months.
New Additions: A Seaside Escape
In the wake of the storm and rebuilding efforts, Hobbit Hollow has embraced new additions to enhance your experience. A brand-new braai area awaits just outside the lounge, with a beach bar that captures the essence of a seaside escape. Here, under the open sky, you can create memories with evening braais and leisurely meals, with nature as your gracious host. Deck chairs on the “beach” create the perfect space to unwind, and a fire place adds to the charm of evenings beneath the stars.
Hobbit Hollow is more than a cottage; it’s a portal to a world where enchantment and the beauty of nature coexist. At Underhill Farm, we invite you to make this haven a part of your story, a place where every moment embodies the magic of the natural world.
Oak Cottage
Sleeps up to
3 people
Rates from
R1400 per night
Oak Cottage: Your Cosy Riverside Retreat
Nestled beneath the protective canopy of ancient oak trees, Oak Cottage stands as a symbol of quiet refuge at Underhill Farm. This charming haven offers a romantic escape, where the tranquil riverbank serves as its backdrop.
A Warm Welcome
As you step through the welcoming sliding barn door into the entryway, you’ll be greeted by the stoep with a built-in braai and the french doors leading to a comfortable lounge area seamlessly connected to an open-plan kitchen. In the heart of the cottage, a potbelly stove radiates warmth, making it the perfect place to unwind during the winter months.
A Tranquil Sleeping Nook
The cottage boasts a queen-sized bed, thoughtfully nestled in a window-filled alcove. This snug nook offers enchanting views of the meandering Botrivier, ensuring that you wake up to the beauty of nature.
A Treehouse-Like Porch
Step onto the back porch, and you’ll feel like you’re perched in a treehouse. This delightful space offers room for an afternoon rest from the beating summer sun, as you are shaded by the giant oak trees, and evenings spent under the starlit sky, with the wind gently rustling the leaves of the nearby trees.
A Perfect Escape for All
Oak Cottage offers not only a serene environment but also a place where every member of your family, including your four-legged friends, can enjoy the perfect escape. A plunge pool and a large and securely enclosed garden ensure that both you and your dogs have a delightful and worry-free stay.
An In-land Beach?
One of the remarkable and unexpected transformations that occurred after the floods at Underhill Farm is the creation of a beach-like paradise right in front of Oak Cottage. Nature, in its magnificent way, reshaped the landscape, removed thousands of alien black wattle trees and left behind a scene that mirrors the charm of a coastal escape. What was once a familiar riverbank has been metamorphosed into what feels like a private beach, right here in the heart of the Overberg region.
The sounds of nature and the gentle rustling of leaves provide a soothing soundtrack to your days. It’s an invitation to unwind, soak up the sun, and let your senses revel in the serene beauty of this newfound landscape.
At Underhill Farm, we believe in embracing change, and this transformation is a testament to the resilience and ever-evolving beauty of the natural world.
Greenhouse Cottage
Sleeps up to
6 people
Rates from
R2000 midweek and R2500 weekends for 4 and R500 for each additional person
Greenhouse Cottage: Nestled into the Heart of Nature
In the corner of Underhill Farm’s enchanting landscape lies our most recent architectural gem, Greenhouse Cottage. This extraordinary dwelling is surrounded by the poplar forest on the river bank that shade the cottage in summer. It’s unique design gracefully blends into the south-facing slope with a grassy rooftop. The result is a sanctuary of remarkable ingenuity, where eco-conscious design meets the stunning beauty of nature.
Seasonal Comfort in a Harmonious Retreat
The Greenhouse, carefully designed to provide comfort in every season, offers a haven of coolness during the summer months. Its south-facing orientation ensures it stays wonderfully cool in summer, while clerestory windows and a greenhouse corridor (from which the cottage gets its name) to the north capture the full glory of the winter sun to keep you warm in winter. Sprinklers on the roof keep the cottage cool even on the hottest of days.
A Garden of Tranquility
Step outside and find yourself surrounded by a securely enclosed garden, lovingly sheltered by the shade of tall poplar trees. Here, you’ll discover a serene escape, complete with a fire pit nestled next to the flowing river.
An Oasis of Relaxation
The cottage also boasts a stunning natural swimming pool area adjacent to the kitchen and lounge, where the afternoon sun casts its warm embrace. The pool is perfectly gated off to protect the little ones and offer peace of mind. A swing keep the young ones entertained, while being securely fenced off from the river. From this vantage point, you can enjoy captivating views of the neighbouring vineyard and the distant Franschhoek mountains. Being the last cottage at Underhill, the cottage ensures the utmost privacy and seclusion for your well-deserved escape.
Luxury Bedrooms and Inside-Outside Cooking
Inside this eco-haven, you’ll find three spacious en-suite bedrooms, each graced with king-sized beds, ample wardrobe space, and inviting seating areas. The generously appointed kitchen and lounge area open up to a covered braai space and pizza oven, offering a seamless connection to the surrounding forest and the riverside fire pit. The cottage is booked as one unit, and the rooms can unfortunately not be booked out separately.
A Space of Creative Energy
The cottage is not just a dwelling; it’s an artistic canvas. Local artists from the Western Cape have poured their creativity and energy into the space, adorning it with unique and inspiring decor. As you explore the nooks and crannies, you’ll find that every corner of the cottage tells a story, and every detail resonates with artistry.
Your four-legged friends are also welcome to roam safely within the privately fenced off garden around the cottage. Here at Underhill Farm, we believe in creating experiences that celebrate the harmony between human life and the natural world, and this cottage embodies this philosophy. It’s a place where design, artistry, and the beauty of nature converge to provide a tranquil and unforgettable escape. We invite you to experience the magic of living under the poplar’s during your stay at Underhill Farm.
Tiny House Cottage
Sleeps up to
2 people
Rates from
R1200
The Underhill THOW
A THOW – Tiny House On Wheels – is a growing trend globally where people wish to live the nomadic life of a caravanner but with the convenience of a house.
It has all the doors, windows kitchen appliances, bathroom fittings, fireplace and furniture you would find in a standard house, but is built on a custom designed transportable trailer.
Why live in a THOW?
A THOW is not as transportable as a caravan – If you wish to get away weekly or monthly a caravan is the best balance of house living and transportability, but if you are nomadic at heart, don’t have building permission, or you don’t own land, a THOW is the best option. In South Africa, THOW’s are classed as caravans and don’t apply to building codes.
In addition in a world of dwindling resources, and a move away from”McMansions” there is a desire to experience more with less.
A THOW gives you a high quality home with all the convenineces of a standard house but is not tied to the land.
Join us in experiencing THOW living
We believe THOW’s are set to become a thing where many people can work remotely, don’t wish to be tied to one place, and don’t want the burden of land ownership, but wish to own their own home.
THOW facilities
Inside there is a bathroom with toilet and Shower. The main lounge area has a fireplace and double bed that slides away under the kitchen when not in use and the end of the bed is used as a couch. The kitchen has a full sized fridge, microwave, double gas burner, kettle and toaster as well as the kitchen sink. There is loads of storage space.
Outside there is a large deck with bacuzzi, firepit and outdoor bathroom.
Explore the botrivier trail just steps from your cottage.
The Underhill ethos of Recycling and Upcycling
From day one at Underhill we have had a core belief that recycling old materials is more sensible then buying new. Whilst the THOW trailer and steel exo-skeleton is professionally designed, custom built and new for safety and compliance reasons, much of the remains of the THOW is recycled. An old TATA bakkie is a plunge pool /hot tub – The Bacuzzi. Old roof planks the wall cladding and decking. An antique french fireplace bought on facebook for a tenth of what it would cost new. And of course the antique ball and claw bathtub in the middle of the field where the two rivers meet at the bottom of the farm.
Let us build you a THOW
With over 10 years building experience and having designed built all of the accomodation at Underhill Farm, we invite you to stay at Underhil and see how more can be created with less, and how to create in harmony with nature. Book your stay now and see firsthand what we can help you create.