At the foot of the Franschhoek mountains, Sterrekopje Farm is a homely oasis, where you’re invited to relax amongst cool waters and luscious gardens designed by Leon Kluge.
Led by ancestral wisdom and instilling a conscious way of living, the farmhouse was established to nourish earth, body, and soul. It’s a place that says: let go and allow yourself to be mentally and physically renewed. Expansive gardens, nurseries, and vegetation make it an ideal escape from the built-up city.
Surrender to the seasons
The gardens at Sterrekopje serve as sanctuaries for guests to ground themselves whilst staying at the regenerative farm. The installation of this ambitious, sprawling expanse of gardens called for an on-site nursery where rare seeds from all around the world could be grown to produce the species-rich palette found in almost all the plantings.
The farm is divided into different segments including a Chakra, Orchard, Butterfly, and vegetable garden. Wild meadow plantings were achieved through a combination of perennial planting and the sowing of annuals to achieve a balanced, relaxed atmosphere. ‘The garden is more about textures than colours. I love diversity in plants and that is ever present in the Sterrekopje landscape,’ says Leon. Wilder plantings are contrasted by clipped forms or mass mono plantings which act as palette cleansers as one walks through the mosaic of garden rooms. Using the natural stone available from the site was an important consideration to create the walls and pathways. Additionally, organic materials from the old vineyards were used in the construction of woven planters.
The gardens surrender to the seasons, creating interest throughout the year. ‘The gardens look different every month of the year. That way, guests get to experience a completely new plant palette when they visit the farm on different months,’ Leon explains. The different gardens are designed with an emphasis on tactility, offering a unique experience for guests. The invitation is to engage with the surroundings through each of the senses. Guests are encouraged to smell, touch, and pick the plantings to feel and be in nature holistically.
Harvesting an ecosystem of healing
The vegetable garden offers an opportunity for guests to gain a stronger connection with nature through learning about sustainable ways to use edible plants, which are also harvested for the hotel’s restaurant. ‘Guests come here to unwind and meditate during their stay and the gardens create the environment for grounding and self-care,’ says Leon.
‘From the beginning, the idea was to create a space where people could wander, get lost in the grasses, and feel like a child again. A place to reconnect — with themselves, with nature, and with animals, which so many people have become disconnected from,’ says Nicole Boekhoorn, co-founder of Sterrekopje. Nicole and Leon worked closely together to create a space that is at once aesthetically beautiful and spiritually revitalising.
Movement, creativity, and play are gently woven into the fabric of the farm’s rhythm. At The Atelier, guests can unleash their inner artist — painting, drawing, moulding, pressing, and making. With an apothecary, spa, and atelier, the farm’s amenities encourage rest and healing during your stay. Whether you’re seeking a private oasis or a slice of idyllic farm life, Sterrekopje is curated to foster a restorative connection to nature, which in turn inspires contemplation and creativity.
“The installation of this ambitious, sprawling expanse of gardens called for an on-site nursery where rare seeds from all around the world could be grown.”
