The Old School House Calitzdorp | Cottages / Chalets Calitzdorp

AS FEATURED IN & RECOMMENDED BY:
House & Leisure's Top Ten Accommodation Choice 2005; Country Life 2006; Getaway Magazine 2005; House & Leisure 2006; and The Weekend Argus Getaway, 2006.
Go/Weg magazine 2011,
British Airways inflight magazine 2011.

The Old School House is situated in Matjies Valley. The valley lies at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountain Range on the banks of the Gamka River outside Calitzdorp.

On 21 November 1911 G.C. le Grange sold a piece of his farm Matjiesvlei to the Dutch Reformed Church for ten pounds sterling. A school was erected for the thriving Matjiesvlei community. The school was the centre of activity in the valley until the early 1960’s when, due to a lack of funds and reduced population in the valley, it was sold. It remained unoccupied until August 2001 when the building was transformed into a guesthouse.

Visitors to The Old School House can choose from a variety of activities. You can try a challenging hike up the Gamka River through the 'Poort’, the gap between the Klein and Groot Swartberg Mountains, into Gamkaskloof (known by weary travelers as 'Die Hel’). Or take a relaxing walk through the different kloofs and koppies of the valley. You can swim in the Gamka River or fish from its banks - the Geelvis are said to provide the opportunity for particularly good fly-fishing. Amongst other birding opportunities, the proximity of the river means that you can often see Fish Eagle, Kingfisher, Cormorant and Grey Heron. You can take an outing to the nearby town of Calitzdorp (12km), famous for its award-winning Port wines. You can enjoy the environment of the mixed farming activities of the valley. Or simply do nothing.

Address
PO Box 21
Calitzdorp
6660

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Directions
Directions from Cape Town:

Take the N1 to Worcester. In Worcester take the R60 to Robertson. Continue on this road, which will at this point turn in to the R62. Travel through Ashton, Montagu, Barrydale and Ladismith. Seven kilometres before Calitzdorp, take the MATJIESVLEI turn-off on your left.

Travel seven kilometres on this gravel road (ignoring one turn-off on your left, called 'Die Kom') until you reach a T-junction. Turn left and you will see The Old School House up on the hill, on the left.