An ode to the hive 

After years in the making and a journey halfway around the world, we’re thrilled to announce the opening of the Byzantium – our temple to bees – in mid-November.  

Inherited from our sister estate, The Newt in Somerset, this interactive exhibition celebrates the extraordinary world of bees and their deep connection to the land and humankind. Tucked behind the Moestuin at the far end of the garden, the Byzantium invites visitors to step inside the hive mind and see the world as a honeybee does. It’s also home to our bee workshops, with Babylonstoren honey and other bee treasures available for purchase. A wonderful excursion for bee lovers of all ages.  

The joys of slow shopping

Ho-ho-hold onto your buffaccino as you indulge in unhurried shopping, far from the madding crowd. The Scented Room is brimming with beautiful new products, including a personalised soap station to add flair to your basket. With delicious refreshments on hand and turkeys guiding you to the Farm Shop, Babylonstoren offers a shopping experience unlike any other. Don’t miss the handcrafted heirlooms at the Jonkershuis Farm Shop at Soetmelksvlei – treasures made to last.

Deep dive into the garden

Babylonstoren joins the celebrations for Garden Town Stellenbosch with a series of special talks and tours led by our gardening and insect specialists. Discover A Bee’s Eye View, explore The Wonderful World of Rock Gardens, and uncover Babylonstoren’s Cycad Collection. Places are limited – booking essential.

Sweet fruits of our labour

We’re delighted to share that the Babylonstoren Farm Hotel has been named Best Hotel in Eastern & Southern Africa in the Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Choice Awards 2025. These honours recognise Babylonstoren’s dedication to true farm hospitality and inspire us to do the basics beautifully.

At the Veritas Awards, the Sprankel 2020 and Babel 2024 Red Blend won gold, while our flagship Nebukadnesar 2023 shone with double gold. Our extra virgin olive oils have excelled locally and abroad, earning four awards at the Olio Nuovo Days Southern Hemisphere awards in Paris – Best Blend of Show, Top 10 Premium Gold Blend, Premium Gold Coratina and Gold Frantoio. Our EVOO Blend, Coratina and Frantoio each scooped gold at the SA Olive Awards, and the Babylonstoren Coratina was included in the ABSA Top Ten Olive Oil 2025. Liquid gold, indeed! 

Garden highlights

Summer’s abundance is downloading fast … 

Berries are popping – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and cherries – alongside apricots, peaches and nectarines. Pineapples, sweet melons and papayas too. Not to mention our treasured tomatoes – heirloom and exotic – the sweet taste of summer! 

The grapevines are flowering, joined by pomegranates and custard apples. In the vegetable garden, artichokes, beetroot, carrots, radishes and leafy greens are thriving. Roses and chamomile are in full flourish. 
Herbs aplenty – rose geranium, mint, sage, thyme, basil, fennel, dill and more – just in time for festive cooking. Inside the tunnels, cucumbers, tomatoes, baby marrows, pumpkins and long-stem broccoli are thriving.  

The Puff Adder walkway features a mixed bonsai exhibition, while the Greenhouse showcases curious cucumbers. 

Breakfast like it’s 1896

The hearty harvest table lunch at Soetmelksvlei has proven so popular that we’re now offering a breakfast harvest table. Juicy, tree-ripe fruits, creamy water buffalo yoghurt, honeycomb, fragrant farm bakes, bread and rusks, pickled produce and hot breakfasts straight from the hearth. Think Goedgedacht maize porridge with cinnamon sugar and citrus, or Chianina boerewors with tomato smoor and pap – all served with boeretroos. After such a feast, a nap on a sunny stoep or beneath a shady tree is almost expected – and Gemmer the cat may just join you.

Sundowners at Soetmelksvlei

From November, visitors can book refreshing sundowners at the dam’s edge, Wednesday to Sunday from 16h00 to 18h00, limited to 10 guests. It’s a marvellous way to end your visit or the perfect reason to return to 1896. Booking essential.

Stretch & indulge

Now’s the time to stretch the body and calm the mind. Join our resident yogi for a session of mindful movement in the White Studio, followed by breakfast at the Greenhouse Restaurant. Enjoy water buffalo yoghurt and homemade granola with tea or coffee. Treat yourself – or someone special – to this simple joy. Booking essential.

Make a note: Summer Harvest Table

Our recent spring harvest table was a magical tableau of twinkling lights, fragrant blossoms and clinking glasses – a celebration of farm-fresh abundance beneath the curving canopy of the Puff Adder walkway. The summer harvest table takes place on 6 December at a secret location on the farm – a soulful, seasonal experience for those who find beauty in the details and meaning in the meal. Limited availability – booking essential.

Did you know? 

A workshop at Babylonstoren or Soetmelksvlei makes the perfect gift – and can be purchased online. With options ranging from gardening and birding to blacksmithing, heritage baking, leathercraft, carpentry and crocheting, there’s truly something for everyone. This season, give the gift of knowledge in a wholesome, hands-on setting. 

Workshops on the farm

Workshops in November 

Babylonstoren 

05 Nov – The secret life of bees 

11 Nov – The healing powers of herbs 

12 Nov – The basics of birding 

18 Nov – The diversity of indigenous succulents 

19 Nov – Prune fruit trees like a pro 

25 Nov – Create a natural freshwater pond 

26 Nov – Grow edible and cut flowers 

Soetmelksvlei 

01 Nov – Blacksmithing: forge your own ladle 

06 Nov – Bloomin’ beautiful: the art of flower pressing 

07 Nov – Magic with milk: make your own butter, soft cheese & yoghurt 

08 Nov – Craft a traditional citrus wood & riempie stool 

13 Nov – Fruit & flower cordials & bush teas 

14 Nov – Teatime treats with choux pastry & almonds 

15 Nov – Build a traditional wooden birdhouse 

21 Nov – Berry feast: bake a frangipane tart 

27 Nov – Traditional handcrafts: colour crocheting 

28 Nov – Bake your own savoury breads 

29 Nov – Advanced leathercraft: dog harness & leash 

Book here