Workshops

Discover the secret life of bees

Only 15 places available

Cape honeybees are honoured workers on the Babylonstoren Farm – not only do they produce an abundance of honey for the breakfast table at Babel Restaurant, but they also play a key role in pollinating many of our garden fruits, herbs and vegetables.

We host our workshops during the warmer seasons, when the garden is buzzing with Cape honeybees, hard at work foraging for pollen and nectar. The workshop starts with a guided walk through the garden to explore the bees’ favourite spots, from nectar-filled annual flowers to pollen-rich trees. We’ll then invite you to put on your beekeeping suit and discover a collection of diverse beehives – including the traditional woven skep, the practical Langstroth with moveable frames, and the much-talked-about flow hives. Our beekeeper, Arné Stander, will share the story of the indigenous Cape honeybee and explain the basics of beekeeping.

**Please bring along your sun hat for the garden walk and closed shoes such as gumboots or wellies or high-ankle hiking boots for the practical session with beekeeping suits.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

A refreshing lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Learn how to make sun prints at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 places available

When the sun is bright and the sky an endless blue, we present a workshop that harnesses these elements through the photographic process known as sun printing.

Join us at Soetmelksvlei for this unique workshop. Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

This workshop is fun and experimental. Inspired by the cyan-blue prints invented at the dawn of photography, we’ll explore the Soetmelksvlei garden to collect natural objects for our compositions. Each participant will paint their own with the photosensitive paint and create unique sun prints to take home. A sun print is also called a cyanotype to describe the cyan blue photographic print that is created when the specially painted surface is exposed to sunlight. The print is processed when the ink that was hidden by the shadow of the photographed object is washed away by running water.

We’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Heirloom tomatoes : bake your galette with traditional butter pastry at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Having a trusted shortcrust pastry recipe in your skill set opens a world of delicious bakes from your own kitchen. Join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei to make the best and most versatile all-butter pastry to use with seasonal heirloom tomatoes.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of making her very best butter pastry. Using our own pastry, we’ll create a beautiful free-form galette with fresh heirloom tomatoes, and a quiche with oven-dried tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella. Our heirloom tomato grower, Elzé Bresler, will also showcase the best of her summer crop to enjoy with our pastry party.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Lavender & essential oils

Only 15 places available

Harness the abundance of Babylonstoren’s fragrant lavender fields in this essential oil masterclass. Pack your hat and a pair of sturdy shoes as you’ll be exploring beyond the garden to harvest aromatics and other indigenous herbs for their fragrance. From there, guests will be taken to the Scented Room to see the steam-distilling process that captures the natural essence of the plant.

Guided by Babylonstoren’s in-house compounder, Gavin Hendriks, you’ll be able to create your own body products to take home, using a selection of our essential oils.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Tasting Room is included.

Pickle & preserve summer’s abundance at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Grandma’s pickles and preserves are part of a new revival of eating seasonal food and minimising food waste. Join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei as we unpack this traditional South African practice.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, we’ll join Rina van Velden for a hands-on morning of making our own pickled and preserved foods.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Bake your own savoury breads at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Join master baker Martjie Malan in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei to learn how to bake festive breads that will gather friends and family around the table.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, Martjie will guide you through the steps of kneading and allowing the dough to rise. Herbs are added, and the dough is cut and twisted into shapes for easy pull-apart loaves – all inspired by the seasonal abundance from the garden.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Waterwise gardening 101

Only 15 places available

We all need to do our bit to help preserve our precious natural resources, but sometimes we can be stumped as to how. In this ever popular waterwise workshop, our top botanist, Ernst van Jaarsveld, will share his own tried-and-tested waterwise tips. We start with a stroll through Babylonstoren’s garden to learn more about the different mulches and waterwise plants used here. Ernst will guide you in propagating easy-to-grow waterwise plants from seeds and cuttings to take home.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Bake your own at Soetmelksvlei: teatime treats with choux pastries & almonds

Only 10 places available

Try your hand at versatile choux pastry to create numerous variations, from classic eclairs filled with pastry cream to salty treats of choux puffs with gruyère cheese and biltong filling.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of making her tried-and-tested choux recipe.

In this hands-on workshop, we’ll also celebrate the seasonal Babylonstoren almond harvest with Martjie’s famous macaroons. Martjie will demo and guests will get to taste.

After an exciting morning, a hearty lunch will be served at the Old Stables Restaurant.

Discover & grow cycads

Only 15 places available

Did you know our garden is home to some of the rarest cycads on earth? Join us in the Babylonstoren garden for a stroll among the living dinosaurs of the plant world. Wear your sunhat and comfy walking shoes for this one as we’ll explore the Babylonstoren cycad collection on foot, and get some interesting background on SA’s unique cycad species.

Expert Basie Dreyer will share his tips on the propagation of the plants, pollen collection and handling. We’ll also discuss basic pruning principles, seed treatment and germination collection, treatment and planting of cones.

_Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included._

Say it with chocolate & cake: bake your own Valentine’s Day treats at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 places available

Make it a Valentine’s Day to remember and join us at Soetmelksvlei to learn to bake your very own chocolate cake.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of making her tried-and-tested chocolate cake recipe.

Guests will learn all the tips and tricks on how to mix, bake and finish a classic chocolate cake – a staple in every home and for every type of celebration. You’ll also learn to make homemade caramel and use chocolate ganache filling to decorate your cake.

After a chocolatey morning, a hearty lunch will be served at the Old Stables Restaurant.

Join us for healing herbal tea

Only 15 places available

Some like it hot

Some like it cold

Some like it in the pot

To share in the fold

This workshop is the ultimate tea party!

Join us for a meditative day of picking, steeping and sipping teas in the Healing Garden. Gundula Deutschländer, the guardian of the herbal garden, will give you the grounding to concoct tantalising teas and tisanes to suit any taste, easing a range of ailments. You’ll conclude your tea journey by making your own tisane using fresh clippings from the Healing Garden.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Bloomin’ beautiful: the art of flower pressing at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available 

Remember plucking dainty blooms in the garden as a child, then carefully placing them between sheets of newspaper and piles of the heftiest books you could find? For centuries, botanists have relied on pressed plants for identification and to fill their herbariums with dried specimens as plant libraries. In Victorian times, children combined pressed picks with bright ribbons to create pretty pictures, while sweethearts would slip flowers between the pages of a book to preserve the memory of a special moment.

Flower pressing is back in a big way, and we love the practice for its calming effect and aesthetic appeal. Join us for a hands-on workshop at Soetmelksvlei and try your hand at this age-old craft. Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, artist Tina-Marié Malherbe will guide guests through the garden to pick, press and create their own botanical collection.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Fig feast: bake a fig tart at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 places available

Indulge in the season of figs at this hands-on workshop where we’ll learn various baking techniques with figs.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of making a moreish masterpiece.

We will be making a sweet tart dough and a classic frangipane filling to bake a glorious fig tart. Frangipane refers to a French tart paste made of ground almonds. We will also learn how to bake a basic focaccia with fresh figs and parma ham.

After an exciting morning, a hearty lunch will be served at the Old Stables Restaurant.

Celebrate National Milk Tart Day at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Milk tart is the unofficial national dessert of South Africa. It features at any self-respecting home industry store and in many South African home bakers’ recipe books – with a liberal sprinkle of cinnamon. 27 February is national Milk Tart Day in South Africa, so join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei to celebrate and enjoy this delicacy in all its delicious glory.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of making traditional milk tart using the simplest of farm ingredients. We’ll also explore a variation on this recipe named melkkos (meaning “milk food”) and learn to bake traditional Cape Malay-inspired koesisters infused with sugar syrup and spice.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Traditional needlework: the basics of colourful quilting at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 places available

Join us for a hands-on quilting workshop at Soetmelksvlei and learn two fundamental quilting techniques.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical Soetmelksvlei farmyard, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, renowned quilting master Doortjie Gersbach will share her extensive knowledge of the art of quilting. Guests will try their hand at two different techniques, the beautiful Grandma’s flower garden and Japanese fold. This class will focus exclusively on hand-quilting, where there is no need for a sewing machine.

A hearty lunch will be served in the Old Stables Restaurant before guests return to Babylonstoren.

Unlock the diversity of indigenous succulents

Only 15 places available

Drought-tolerant, hardy and amazingly diverse in shape, colour and type, succulents have taken the gardening world by storm. Learn to cultivate, propagate and design a succulent garden under the keen and knowledgeable guidance of Ernst van Jaarsveld, our resident botanist.

After walking through our cycad garden to look at various succulent ground covers and species, Ernst will share his top tips with some hands-on experience in the nursery on how to grow your own collection of succulents from seeds and cuttings.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Master meat: make your own salami at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Observe our master butcher in his element at this hands-on workshop. Come and make your own salami at Soetmelksvlei.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical Soetmelksvlei farmyard, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, you’ll join master butcher Jaco Koegelenberg and master charcutier Shelvin Jacobs in the Meat Room for a butchery masterclass. The team will demonstrate how to take apart and debone select pork cuts to use for making salami. The class focuses on a nose-to-tail approach, and we use the large intestine as an all-natural casing. Did you know, the use of natural sausage casing is an age-old skill used to create sausages and salami? This is still the option we prefer as it consists mainly of naturally occurring collagen.

_A hearty lunch will be served at the Old Stables Restaurant before guests return to Babylonstoren. _

Magic with milk: make your own butter, soft cheese & yoghurt at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Learn the incredible art of making your own soft cheese, butter and yoghurt from scratch at this hands-on, farm-to-table workshop on Soetmelksvlei.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, cheesemaker Alta Eybers will guide you through the art of creating magic with milk. We’ll start with the milking of the cow, then separating whole milk and using the bounty to create handmade butter, soft cheese and yoghurt.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Pampoenpret (in Afrikaans aangebied)

LET WEL: Slegs 50 plekke beskikbaar (maksimum 2 kinders per 1 volwassene). Volwassenes moet ook vir hulself plek bespreek.

Ons verwelkom kinders, ma’s en pa’s om saam met ons pampoenfees te vier. Kom saam op die skattejag: ons spring oor die reusepampoen en kruip tot binne-in die Slak, oortrek met rankende kalbasse in allerhande vorms en groottes.

In die Pofadder se maag vertel ons jou meer van verskillende pampoensoorte: Turkse tulband, die plat wit ou boerpampoen, oranje Cinderella, heerlike goue hubbardpampoen, gespikkelde swaan, smullekker muskaat en natuurlik Halloween. Ouers sal hul kinders help om te sny, skep, kap en druk.

Ná al die harde werk steek ons ’n kersie binne-in die pampoen aan. Jy kan dit saamneem huis toe.

Nota: Omdat daar met skerp voorwerpe gewerk word, moet kinders deur ’n volwassene vergesel word. Maksimum twee kinders (tussen vyf en tien jaar oud) per volwassene. Hierdie werkswinkel word in Afrikaans aangebied.

Sap en peuselhappie is ingesluit.

Pumpkin fun (presented in English)

NOTE: Only 50 places available (maximum 2 children per 1 adult). Adults need to book a space for themselves as well.

We welcome kids, mums and dads for some fun exploring the bountiful pumpkin varieties in the garden! With a hop, skip and jump we’ll go on an exciting pumpkin treasure hunt – exploring the enormous Atlantic Giant pumpkin and crawling into the Snail that’s covered with climbing calabashes and gourds.

As we walk through the belly of the Puff Adder, children of all ages will learn about the different varieties of pumpkin: Turk’s turban, flat white boerpampoen, deep orange Cinderella, delicious golden hubbard squash, speckled swan, best-to-eat muscat and, of course, Halloween. With the help of their parents, children can cut, scoop and hammer their own pumpkins into shape.

When all the pumpkins are shipshape, we will light a candle inside each creation, and you’ll be able to take it home as a fun souvenir.

Note: As we’ll be working with sharp objects, children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum two children (between five and ten years old) per adult. This workshop is presented in English.

Juice and a light snack are included.

Capture the season’s scents with fragrant herbs

Only 15 places available

Nose your way through the world of fragrance and discover the joyful varieties grown at Babylonstoren. Join Gundula, guardian of our Healing Garden, in harvesting and exploring various ways in which natural fragrances can perfume your everyday living.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Craft your own homemade soaps

Only 10 places available

Learn how to make your own natural soap using Babylonstoren’s olive and essential oils as inspiration. The experience includes a visit to our farm’s aromatic fields to harvest rosemary, lavender, Cape may or whatever’s in season.

In the Scented Room, you’ll learn how essential oils are distilled before using these in your own soap. Practical advice on the intricacies of natural soapmaking, such as infusing, preparing and casting soap will be shared by Babylonstoren’s in-house compounder, Gavin Hendriks. Creating and blending of iconic Babylonstoren products such as moisturisers will be explored. Guests get to take home their own creations at the end of the day.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Tasting Room is included.

Cape food: traditional bobotie with quince chutney at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Bobotie is considered the national dish of South Africa, having been served at a special dinner by the United Nations Women’s Organisation in 1954. It is one of the most engrained recipes in traditional South African cuisine, with cultural influences from all over the world, including Malaysia, France and the Netherlands. Bobotie is celebrated everywhere in South Africa – from high-end restaurants to casual eateries, and around the dinner table in many homes.

Join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei to celebrate this South African icon. Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of making traditional bobotie alongside its classic companion. Chutney, or blatjang as it’s called in Afrikaans, is a spicy condiment cooked from a variety of fruits. In this season, we’ll be cooking chutney from ripe and ready quinces.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Master meat: make boerewors & droëwors at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Nothing beats making your own boerewors and delicious frikkadelle from scratch, especially when you’re using our farm-reared, prime Chianina beef.

The day will start with a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg to Soetmelksvlei, a historical farmyard set in the late 19th century – a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, in the contemporary Meat Room, master butcher Jaco Koegelenberg will first demonstrate the carving and mincing of meat, before making traditional boerewors. Under Jaco’s guidance, guests will make their own droëwors and taste some of the dried delicacy as well.

After a hands-on morning in the Meat Room, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch including frikkadelle at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Hands-on kids: bake & ice your own farm animal biscuits at Soetmelksvlei (kids aged 6–12)

Only 10 spaces available

All aboard the Babylonstoren bus to Soetmelksvlei for a day of baking fun! In this hands-on workshop, we invite aspiring young chefs between the ages of six and twelve to bake some farm animal biscuits – and eat them too!

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, master baker Martjie Malan will guide young bakers to mix, roll, shape and bake their own vanilla butter biscuits. We’ll also make icing to decorate our quirky farm animal biscuits.

After the baking session, you are welcome to explore Soetmelksvlei and all its offerings to your heart’s content. A shuttle departs frequently from Soetmelksvlei to take you back to Babylonstoren when you are ready.

Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 2 children per adult.

Juice and a snack are included.

Young artists: drawing in the garden (for kids aged 7–12)

Only 15 places available

We welcome children between the ages of seven and twelve years old to join our master gardener, Gundula Deutschländer, for a hop and skip down the garden path, exploring the natural world from their perspective.

This workshop is a fun day for curious kids who enjoy doodling and mark making. We’ll focus on having fun, so don’t expect any masterpieces! This will be an exercise in observation skills and marking the journey on paper. All materials will be provided. All that children need to bring are hats and a desire to get mucky with paint and pastels.

Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum two children per adult.

Juice and gelato are included.

Fishing on the farm: a family affair (for kids aged 7–12)

Only 20 places available

Note: his workshop is for children between seven and twelve years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults need to book a space for themselves as well.

Bring your little ones to experience the joy of fishing on the farm. In this hands-on and family-orientated workshop, we’ll guide youngsters with their parents to create their own fishing rod from natural materials found in the garden. We’ll also dig for worms and insects to use as bait before heading out to our farm dam to cast the lines.

Family man and farm fundi Morné Olivier will share the fundamentals of fishing as we try our luck to haul out tilapia.

Juice and gelato are included.

Explore a bug’s life (for kids; 4-7 years)

Only 20 places available per session

Note: All children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum two children per adult. Adults need to book a space for themselves and cover the applicable fee.

Explore a bug’s life at Babylonstoren and live in your own Disney animation for a day! In this exciting class for little ones, we’ll take a closer look at the critters and creatures that frequent our farm. Babylonstoren’s very own bug lover, Arné Stander, will help you seek out different insects in the garden, sharing his secret superpowers to attract and study them up close. We’ll also learn about the different and important roles various insects play in our ecosystems, like pollination, pest control, decomposition and more. We simply cannot live without them! If you love bugs, or even if you’re a little scared of the funny-looking ones, get Mom or Dad on board for this day of garden fun. By the end of the session, you could know more about insects than they do!

Juice and gelato are included.

Soetmelksvlei Family Fun: learn how to make sun prints

Only 10 spaces available

Young and old are welcome at this hands-on workshop where we’ll harness the sun to create our own sun prints.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured.

Inspired by the cyan-blue prints invented at the dawn of photography, we’ll explore the Soetmelksvlei garden to collect natural objects for our compositions. Each participant will paint their own paper with a photosensitive paint and create unique sun prints to take home. A sun print is also called a cyanotype to describe the cyan blue photographic print that is created when the specially painted surface is exposed to sunlight. The print is processed when the ink that was hidden by the shadow of the photographed object is washed away by running water.

After the art session, you are welcome to explore Soetmelksvlei and all its offerings to your heart’s content. A shuttle departs frequently from Soetmelksvlei to take you back to Babylonstoren when you are ready.

Note:Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 2 children per adult.

Juice and a snack are included.

Grow your own winter vegetables

Only 15 places available

Babylonstoren prides itself on the seasonal fruit and vegetables that abound in our garden, and we are happy to share our secrets! Join Babylonstoren’s vegetable team, York Steyn and Tenecia Stevens, in the vegetable garden where they will demonstrate their top growing tips and tell you more about crop rotation, no-dig soil preparation, compost, mulches, propagation and planting.

The workshop includes in-depth info on seed saving and sowing cover crops.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included

Sketching in Babylonstoren’s garden

Only 10 places available

Inspire creativity by discovering the botanical wonders of Babylonstoren in this explorative workshop. Master gardener Gundula Deutschländer will guide guests down pathways, focusing on various natural forms that inspire closer observation. The aim is not to create botanical illustrations, but to have fun on the journey, and to find your personal interpretation of curiosities in the natural environment.

The class includes all paper and materials needed. All you need to bring along is a sunhat and a keen eye for form and colour.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Risotto 101: a celebration of our farm-grown rice

Only 15 places available

Always dreamed of making risotto like a true Italian nonna? Join head chef Schalk Vlok for a practical workshop on making the best risotto – from the farm to your table. Farmer Ian de Villiers takes us on a stroll to Babylonstoren’s rice paddy where we grow our own carnaroli rice, traditionally used for making risotto. The intricacies of rice cultivation will be discussed, including the plant’s interesting life cycle, flooding methods and hand-harvesting.

Back in the kitchen, chef Schalk will demonstrate how to create lip-smacking risotto in the traditional Italian style, from scratch. From this basic recipe, different styles and risotto variations will be made and tasted. The emphasis of the class will be on local and seasonally produced risotto rice and how to elevate this quality in every bite.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Old Bakery is included.

Explore the world of Babylonstoren’s olives

Only 15 places available

Put on your hat and slip on a pair of comfortable shoes – we’re going to the orchards! Take a stroll through the olive orchards with farmer Ian de Villiers who will explain how to grow, maintain and harvest olives.

We then move from orchard to press as Petrus van Eeden, our resident olive man, explains the production process. Once you understand how olives are grown, you’ll delve into different olive oil varieties for cooking and dunking. A tasting of this season’s fresh olive oils will follow in the newly renovated Babylonstoren olive tasting room. Finally, Petrus will share his tried-and-tested methods for preserving your own olives.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch in the Tasting Room is included.

Combat garden pests, naturally

Only 15 places available

Toss out the pesticides! Our botanist, Ernst van Jaarsveld, and entomologist, Arné Stander, will teach you how to plan a garden ecosystem that encourages predatory birds, insects, spiders and other garden animals to restore the balance in your garden – the way nature intended.

_Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Healing herbs: doepa with local finds at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

It was crucial in 1896 for isolated homesteads to have a fully equipped “first-aid box”. Despite the international popularity of Dr Williams Pink Pills (developed in Canada in 1886), in South Africa local traditional remedies were relied upon as hospitals were far away, and motorcars scarce.

This creative workshop gives an in-depth look into (and taste of) herbal concoctions, extractions, infusions and balms that are easy to make and safe to use, and would have made up the emergency kit for a regular home.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, herbal queen Gundula Deutschländer will guide us through the Soetmelksvlei garden and farmyard to find a cure in nature.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Bank on it! Seed saving and swopping in the Soetmelksvlei garden

Only 10 places available

If you’re a collector or enjoy experiencing the full cycle of life, pop over for this workshop to get down to the nitty-gritty of seed saving.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, master gardener Gundula Deutschländer will provide an overview of the marvellous mechanics of seeds and how best to cultivate them. We will be discussing ripeness, sifting, sorting and storing of these precious seeds of hope, and share tips on how to sow once the time is right. Gundula will guide you into the Soetmelksvlei heritage garden to collect various seeds. We invite you to bring whatever viable seeds you might have to this communal seed-swopping circle.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Break bread with our master baker

Only 15 places available

Flour it up and learn to bake bread with our master baker, Peachy Jacobs, and her team. Guests are invited to dust their hands and put their backs into some kneading and impressive shaping. Peachy will share her secret recipes and sourdough starter for each guest to nurture at home.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Tasting Room is included.

Autumn decor from the garden

Only 10 places available

We celebrate the new season in true Babylonstoren style by harvesting seasonal vegetables and autumn greens ripening into rich colour to use as farm-style decor. Join us as we explore different plant-based decorative styles for the table and create decor to share as gifts. Each guest will go home with a herb posy or bouquet of their own creation.

_Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Tasting Room is included.

Master meat: all about venison & biltong at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

A springbok, a meat master and 10 eager learners in a masterclass presented at Soetmelksvlei.

If you’re serious about venison preparation and making your own biltong from scratch, this workshop is for you. The day will start with a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg to Soetmelksvlei, a historical farmyard set in the late 19th century – a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, in the Meat Room, master butcher Jaco Koegelenberg will demonstrate how to cut a springbok into primary cuts and help the group get to grips with their own knives. Jaco will then demonstrate how primary cuts are processed into secondary cuts for guest to turn the meat into one of South Africa’s favourite delicacies – springbok biltong. The class also gives a comprehensive overview of which cuts to use for different dishes.

After a hands-on morning in the Meat Room, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Nuts for pecans! Bake a pecan pie & carrot cake at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

With pecan nuts in season, there are many glorious baking options, but in this hands-on workshop you will learn how to make a classic pecan nut pie with flaky pie dough and nutty filling. We invite you to share in the season and join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei for a day of baking fun.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you her secrets to the classic pecan nut pie. You’ll also learn to bake a carrot and pecan nut cake and ice it with cream cheese buttercream.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Love the taste of culinary herbs at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Have your tastebuds tantalised and green fingers inspired as we explore the wide range of tastes and textures found in a bunch of green leaves. Herbs express their unique uses in their distinct taste – some bitter, some sweet, some pungent and some peppery.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured. We’ll kick off the workshop in the Soetmelksvlei heritage garden with guidance from herb expert Gundula Deutschländer.

Here, we’ll gather some herbs from the garden to chop and pound in the kitchen and incorporate these into fresh and seasonal treats to enjoy. Remember to bring along a hat for a fun day in the garden.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Cape cookery: traditional melktert, melkkos & koesisters at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Milk tart is the unofficial national dessert of South Africa. It features at any self-respecting home industry store and in many South African home bakers’ recipe books – with a liberal sprinkle of cinnamon. Join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei to celebrate and enjoy this delicacy in all its delicious glory.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of making traditional milk tart using the simplest of farm ingredients. We’ll also explore a variation on this recipe named melkkos (meaning “milk food”) and learn to bake traditional Cape Malay-inspired koesisters infused with sugar syrup and spice.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

International Bee Day

Only 15 places available

Cape honeybees are honoured workers at Babylonstoren Farm – not only do they produce an abundance of honey for the breakfast table at Babel Restaurant, but they also play a key role in pollinating many of our garden fruits, herbs and vegetables. In honour of International Bee Day on 20 May, we’d like to invite you to our farm to see these incredible worker bees in action.

The workshop includes a guided walk through the garden to explore the bees’ favourite spots. We’ll then invite you to view our collection of diverse beehives – including the traditional woven skep, the practical Langstroth with moveable frames, the flow hives and our observation beehive. Beekeeper Arné Stander will share the story of the indigenous Cape honeybee.

We’ll have a taste of the golden goodness, of course. Natasha Lyon, South Africa’s first and only internationally certified honey sommelier, will guide us as we discover how the terroir shapes and influences the flavour, aroma and colour of honey. Natasha will lead the tasting of four unique and rare South African honey varieties in liquid and crystalised form.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
A refreshing lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Harness nature’s colours with fynbos dyeing at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

The Soetmelksvlei homestead is surrounded by diverse indigenous vegetation with many hidden qualities. Join us as we take a closer look at these plants’ resilience and resourcefulness.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, master gardener Gundula Deutschländer will encourage guests to celebrate the stories of our local Cape fynbos in a fun, explorative workshop. Many fynbos plants have a high tannin content, which means the leaves may not be appealing to eat but exhibit wonderful hues when bound in cloth and thrown in the dyeing pot.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Bake your own pies: Four ways with traditional butter pastry at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Having a trusted shortcrust pastry recipe in your skill set opens a world of delicious bakes from your own kitchen. From home-baked quiche to mini fruit pies with a deliciously crumbly crust – butter pastry is the answer. Join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei to make the best and most versatile all-butter pastry.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of making her very best butter pastry. Using your own pastry, you’ll create a variety of sweet and savoury bakes to enjoy and take home.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Autumn abundance: pickle & preserve at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Grandma’s pickles and preserves are part of a new revival of eating seasonal food and minimising food waste. Join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei as we unpack this traditional South African practice.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, we’ll join Rina van Velden for a hands-on morning of making our own pickled and preserved foods.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Winter gems: citrus in the garden

Only 15 places available

Winter is here and this means an abundance of citrus on the farm. Babylonstoren’s lemon-loving garden expert, Comine van Zyl, shares her passion for this noble winter fruit. Join her on a stroll through the citrus blocks for an up-close look at the many cultivars growing in the garden.

We’ll take an in-depth look at growing citrus in your own garden at home too, as we share Babylonstoren’s secrets on how to care for citrus trees to achieve the most abundant winter yield. Come with an eager, open mind to learn from other keen gardeners for this practical workshop.

_Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch in the Green House is included._

Bake your own: make butter & buttermilk scones

Only 10 spaces available

Butter was considered the golden commodity of the 1900s and today still, every knob is worth its weight in gold – and rightfully so! Join us on the historical farm of Soetmelksvlei to see how butter is made from scratch – from milking the cow to the separation of the cream and, finally, churning real farm butter.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of handmade butter. With buttermilk as by-product, you’ll also learn to create the fluffiest scones.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Inside scoop: the secrets to buffalo mozzarella and gelato

Only 15 places available

Observe Babylonstoren’s head cheesemaker, Alta Eybers, and learn a thing or two about making cheese and gelato. The class kicks off with meeting the farm’s herd of water buffalo that produce the milk we use to make our traditional-style water buffalo mozzarella.

Back in the Cheese Room, Alta will demonstrate the craft behind making this creamy delicacy – from cutting the curds to stretching them into balls. When the mozzarella is ready for stretching, guests can feel and experience this unique cheese before it is placed in brine.

Guests are treated to a lunch of cheese, meats and gelato – fresh from Babylonstoren’s deli store – the perfect end to a cheesy day!

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Tasting Room is included.

Bake with citrus & spice at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

We celebrate citrus alongside South Africa’s spice heritage in this hands-on workshop at Soetmelksvlei. Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, master baker Martjie Malan will guide you through a world of sweetly spiced bakes, including delicious orange and cardamom tea cake, lemon drizzle madeleines, as well as a few more surprises. Spice is engrained in the South African food heritage and this workshop celebrates the warmth it brings to the kitchen.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Broaden your gardening horizons with indigenous trees

Only 15 places available

Come and spend the day with Ernst van Jaarsveld, our resident botanist and tree expert. He’ll guide you through the diversity of trees in various Southern African ecosystems, including the highveld, bushveld, subtropical coast, coastal Karoo, Namib and fynbos biomes. Together, you will explore the cultivation of trees at Babylonstoren and their use in the garden, how they are propagated from seed and cuttings, as well as how to combat typical pests and diseases.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Compost 101: Let’s get down and dirty

Only 15 places available

We dig dirt – every garden lover’s dream starts with this miraculous dark material. If you love soil as much as we do and you’re passionate to learn about regenerative soil efforts, this compost class is just the thing for you.

This hands-on workshop is led by our vegetable gardener, York Steyn, who will share all his secrets on how to make several types of compost by selecting different materials and ingredients. The aim of the class is to better understand different soils and where to apply the different types of compost between the annual and perennial plants in your garden. By the end of the day, you’ll better understand the use of compost as a tool to support the fertility of your soil and how carbon is cycled by nature.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Hey, Brew! Fruit & flower cordials & bush teas

Only 10 spaces available

Bubble, bubble, boil and bottle.

In 1896, a visit to your neighbour would have meant a journey up a long winding track on foot or by carriage. Stopping off at Soetmelksvlei brought a welcoming relief with a cup of rooibos tea or a refreshing cordial to quench the thirst.

Join us for a hands-on morning in the fresh farm air as we step back in time to brew our own fruit and flower cordials and bush teas. Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, tea master Gundula Deutschländer will guide us up the mountain slope to find the ridge where the honeybush grows. We want to celebrate this cheerful local plant that provides so many health benefits.

The journey continues into the sheltered valley of Soetmelksvlei where the harvest has been generous, and cordials are made from the windfalls.

This is your opportunity to revisit traditional recipes with cordial queen Louise Steenkamp. We share techniques on how to adapt them with seasonal ingredients in your own kitchen. Sipping these beverages, you’ll slip off your shoes and smile.

After a hands-on morning, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Celebrate with chocolate & cake: bake your own treats at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 places available

Every home cook should have a seriously delicious chocolate cake recipe up their sleeve – and we’ve got just the one! Join us at Soetmelksvlei to learn to bake your very own chocolate cake with master baker Martjie Malan.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, Martjie will teach you the art of making her tried-and-tested chocolate cake recipe.

Guests will learn all the tips and tricks on how to mix, bake and finish a classic chocolate cake – a staple in every home and for every type of celebration. You’ll also learn to make homemade caramel and use chocolate ganache filling to decorate your cake.

After a chocolatey morning, a hearty lunch will be served at the Old Stables Restaurant.

Indoor gardening: bringing succulents into your home

Only 15 places available

Ox tongue, horse teeth and elephant’s foot ... South Africa’s unusual collection of succulents may sound daunting to grow, but they’re true die-hards. In fact, some are even called kanniedood, meaning “can’t die”. Their quirky shapes range from compact rosettes to cluster-forming knobs. Some are thickset dwarf trees, while others cascade in strings of pearls – an indoor gardener’s dream.

Babylonstoren’s Succulent House is the mecca of dwarf plants found in South Africa. Here, master botanist Ernst van Jaarsveld and the garden team will show you how to assemble your own miniature succulent gardens. The practical workshop addresses different terrains, pot preferences, watering needs and rock selections for mini gardens to ensure plants are always grouped together in similar climatic conditions.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

All about eggs: From coop to table

Only 15 places available

There’s no end to the magic of eggs and in this workshop, we’ll explore this versatile farm staple with executive chef Schalk Vlok. Join us in the Old Bakery for a masterclass on how to use eggs in showstopping seasonal dishes from breakfast and beyond.

We’ll explore a few basic but egg-cellent ideas that will take your home cooking to new heights ... and perhaps even inspire you to keep a few happy hens in your backyard!

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Old Bakery is included.

Family fun: grow your own veggies (for kids aged 6–12)

Only 20 places available

Note: This workshop is for children between six and twelve years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum two children per adult. Adults need to book a space for themselves and cover the applicable fee.

Orange carrots, bright red beets and cute radishes! Did you know you can grow your own rainbow of colours? Bring your folks along for a dig in Babylonstoren’s sprawling gardens where we’ll learn to grow our very own veggies with Brent Reid from Babylonstoren’s garden team. It is a morning filled with picking, nibbling and planting. Discover frilly leaves and dig out strong root vegetables. Sow seeds, make cuttings and start potting your own plants. By the end of this day, you’ll have greener fingers than the Grinch who stole Christmas! You’ll also get some vegetable seedlings to take along and grow at home.

Juice and gelato are included.

Traditional handcrafts: Colour crocheting at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Ever dreamt of creating a handmade blanket, or perhaps a beautiful scarf of your own design? Join us at Soetmelksvlei to master the art of crochet with needleworker Doortjie Gersbach.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

NOTE: Guests need to know the three basic stitches (chain stitch, single and double crochet) before attending this hands-on workshop.

Under Doortjie’s guidance, we’ll then learn to crochet select heritage crochet patterns – used by grandmothers and great-grandmothers before us. Doortjie will also share how to set up and finish stitches in a neat fashion while using colour to show this handcraft at its best.

After a hands-on morning, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Everything’s better with butter: make butter & bake buttermilk rusks

Only 10 places available.

Join us for a buttermaking and buttermilk rusk baking workshop at Soetmelksvlei, a delightful new excursion by Babylonstoren.

Prepare to roll up your sleeves as we embark on our journey at the Babylonstoren ticket office. Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, you will experience the age-old tradition of churning fresh farm milk into butter. See how we separate the cream and follow the simple steps to make your own butter. Under the guidance of master baker Martjie Malan you will bake buttermilk rusks, using fresh buttermilk – a by-product of the buttermaking process.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch in the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Family fun: grow your own succulents from scratch (for kids aged 6–12)

Only 20 places available

Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum two children per adult. Adults need to book a space for themselves as well.

Cultivate a love for all things green and growing with the little ones during the school holidays. In this hands-on family workshop, we’ll explore the world of ox tongue, horse teeth, vetmensies, kransklokkies and other weirdly wonderful succulents of the South African arid areas.

Resident succulent expert Cornell Beukes will take us on a stroll through the garden to the Succulent House where he’ll share his insights on the propagation of succulents and make cuttings. We’ll explore how to plant and successfully grow succulents, including their soil and watering needs. We’ll also share fascinating stories about these quirky plants and why they have such interesting names.

Juice and gelato are included.

Cape food: learn to preserve seasonal guavas at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

A Boland staple in winter, a bottle of gleaming guavas could be found in any self-respecting pantry on any farmstead. Today still, the deliciousness of sweet, preserved guava is undeniable – and even more so if it’s homemade with care. Join us in the Soetmelksvlei kitchen as we celebrate the bounty of guavas in the heart of winter.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, farm foodie Louzel Steyn will teach guests the basics of preserving your own guavas in a variety of ways.

After a hands-on morning, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Family fun: move & breathe in the garden (for kids aged 6–12)

Only 20 places available

Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum two children per adult. Adults need to book a space for themselves as well.

Join us for a sensory experience in the Babylonstoren garden as we move and breathe in a family-oriented workshop.

Resident Babylonstoren yogi Carel Cloete will guide youngsters and their parents as we move through the garden to our favourite sensory spots: the chamomile lawn, the Clivia House and the fountain at the top of the garden, to name a few. Wherever we are, we’ll focus our intentions on breathing, stretching and balance exercises with a theme associated with the area we are in.

Carel will share tales and background about the areas of the garden we’re in, as well as the importance of the movements. The ideal of this active day out is to revel in the garden and get little minds and little bodies excited about the wonder of nature.

Juice and gelato are included.

Build your own garden structures

Only 15 places available

Babylonstoren is renowned for its beautiful garden structures and every season the vegetable team create new organic shapes to support our abundant ramblers. Join expert gardeners Tenecia Stevens, Constance Stuurman and Hendrik Gersbach in the vegetable garden to draw inspiration from the variety of wooden, willow and vine structures that add interest and support.

In this hands-on workshop, guests will learn to create these features in their own gardens at home.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Cape food: bake your own farm-style loaves with seasonal marmalade at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Nothing beats a slice of homemade bread, lathered with butter and with a smear of seasonal preserve. Join us as we celebrate the bounty of winter in the Soetmelksvlei kitchen by making our own seasonal marmalade, to serve with fresh bread and butter.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler, and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, farm foodie Louzel Steyn will teach guests the basics of making your own marmalade, as well as baking bread.

After a hands-on morning, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Explore the magic world of mushrooms

Only 15 places available

Spend the day with Babylonstoren’s head gardener, Alex Bosman, to discover more about the functions and uses of fungi in our garden. Walk the farm to better understand how fungi fulfil a vital role in our garden, from plant health to insect and pathogen biocontrol.

Enter the mushroom room to see how we cultivate different types of mushrooms for our restaurants. Alex will also share and demonstrate a few tricks to cultivate beautiful oyster mushrooms to grow (and harvest!) at home. Babel’s chefs will take the wonder of fungi from garden to table with a mushroom-inspired lunch.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Old Bakery is included.

Cape food: traditional bobotie with guava chutney at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Bobotie is considered the national dish of South Africa, having been served at a special dinner by the United Nations Women’s Organisation in 1954. It is one of the most engrained recipes in traditional South African cuisine, with cultural influences from all over the world, including Malaysia, France and the Netherlands. Bobotie is celebrated everywhere in South Africa – from high-end restaurants to casual eateries, and around the dinner table in many homes.

Join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei to celebrate this South African icon. Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of making traditional bobotie alongside its classic companion. Chutney, or blatjang as it’s called in Afrikaans, is a spicy condiment cooked from a variety of fruits, including seasonal guavas.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Create beautiful tree shapes with espalier

Only 15 places available

Espalier is the art of training your fruit trees to grow against a wall or fence. Trusty secateurs in hand, our resident pruning pro, Anton Roux, will invite guests to admire the various espaliered fruit trees on display in Babylonstoren’s garden – apples, pears, quinces and nectarines. He will then get down to the details of the different stages of tree shaping in the espalier style, from year one to year ten. And then it’s over to you – grab a pair of secateurs and practise the technique on a tree that you can take home with you.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

The fascinating world of rocks, stone tools & rock gongs

Only 15 places available

Babylonstoren’s rock collection is as fascinating as it is diverse. It represents hand-selected rocks from the Western and Northern Cape, each with its own history and characteristics. In this workshop, we’ll explore their variously shaped weathering patterns resulting in nature’s works of art, representing both sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic processes.

We’ll dig into the history behind these silent historical storytellers. Prehistoric people fashioned rocks for their tools, implements and musical instruments, while early pioneers also constructed their beehive-shaped rock dwellings (korbeelhuise) from local rocks in the Fraserburg-Williston area. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with rocks from the younger limestone formations as well as the volcanic ultramafic lavas a billion years of age. This is your chance to experience Babylonstoren’s rock collection up close, guided by experts Ernst van Jaarsveld and Willem Pretorius.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Sharpen your fruit-tree pruning skills

Only 15 places available

A good trim goes a long way to ensure a good crop of fruit next season! Spend the day learning from Anton Roux, our pruning pro, as he guides you on how and where to prune fruit trees – be it peach, plum, quince or fig.

He will get down to the details of the different stages of tree shaping to develop the structure, from year one to year ten. And then it’s over to you – grab a pair of secateurs and practise the technique on a tree in our garden.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Green House is included.

Winter wonder: prune & weave with vines in the garden

Only 15 places available

Harness the beauty of winter with flower and weaving artist, Constance Stuurman, in this creative workshop. The morning kicks off in the garden, our main muse for creativity even in the bare winter. Our pruning experts will first guide you with the secateurs to prune the dormant vines.

We’ll then use the vine prunings – typically discarded on the farm after the annual cut-back – and bring them back to life to create our own winter-inspired garden structures and decor.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Harvest & distil Cape chamomile

Only 15 places available

Harness the abundance of Babylonstoren’s fragrant fields in this essential oil masterclass. Pack your hat and a pair of sturdy shoes as you’ll be exploring beyond the garden to find aromatics and our special Cape chamomile, Eriocephalus punctulatus. This indigenous shrub flowers in early spring, and this is the perfect time to extract its azure blue oil.

In the Scented Room, guests will be able to see the steam-distilling process that captures the natural essence of the plant. Guided by Babylonstoren’s in-house compounder, Gavin Hendriks, you’ll be able to create your own body products to take home, using a selection of our essential oils.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Tasting Room is included.

Forage for indigenous veld foods

Only 15 places available

For thousands of years, the indigenous peoples of Southern Africa survived in the veld by foraging bulbs, shoots, flowers and fruit. We start the day with a walk through the garden. Botanist Ernst van Jaarsveld will share his vast knowledge of South Africa’s indigenous edibles, showing guests how to recognise seasonal plants that they can pick and nibble on.

We will also learn how to propagate these edible varieties to take home and plant there. Guests are invited to a demo and lunch inspired by the indigenous food plants discussed in the workshop and hosted by Babel’s innovation chef Ailene de Villiers.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Old Bakery is included.

Master meat: debone a chicken and make your own stock at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Few things are as rewarding as slicing into a chicken roulade made with seasonal stuffing. It’s a showstopper of note and deceivingly easy to do. Join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei to master the art of deboning a whole chicken.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, farm foodie Louzel Steyn will teach you the basics of deboning a whole bird. We’ll also create our own chicken stock to ensure zero wastage and a true farm-to-table experience.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Grow your own spring vegetables

Only 15 places available

Babylonstoren prides itself on the seasonal fruit and vegetables that abound in our garden, and we are happy to share our secrets! We have the spring fever, and that means sowing vegetables in time for the hot months.

Join Babylonstoren’s vegetable team, York Steyn and Tenecia Stevens, in the vegetable garden where they will demonstrate their top growing tips and tell you more about crop rotation, no-dig soil preparation, compost, mulches, propagation and planting. The workshop will focus on preparing for the summer months while considering crop rotation and companion planting, how to nurture your soil and keep a check on pests.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Spring decor from the garden

Only 15 places available

We celebrate the new season in true Babylonstoren style by harvesting seasonal vegetables, fynbos and spring blossoms to use as farm-style decor. We invite you into our festive venues to explore different plant-based decorative styles for the table and to share as gifts.

Each guest will go home with a herb posy or bouquet of their own creation.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Tasting Room is included.

Encounter the beautiful world of fynbos

Only 15 places available

NB: Please wear comfortable hiking shoes/boots as we will be hiking up the Babylonstoren koppie.

Of the six floral kingdoms in the world, the Cape’s iconic fynbos region is the smallest and richest, with the highest known concentration of plant species within its perimeters. This is your chance to experience Babylonstoren’s beautiful fynbos up close, in a sensory experience guided by master botanist, Ernst van Jaarsveld, and Babylonstoren conservation ecologist and entomologist, Arné Stander. You’ll encounter the classics like proteas and ericas. You’ll see various fynbos adaptations of the resilient plant families such as buchu, Cape reeds, daisy and iris.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Taste of spring: asparagus & artichokes

Only 15 places available

Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than with fresh, seasonal produce – asparagus spears and artichoke flower buds! Join our garden team as they generously share their experience of growing and harvesting these delicacies. Young asparagus plants take up to three years before they are ready to be harvested, but once established, they can be cut repeatedly for many years.

We take you from farm to table in this workshop, starting with the basics of growing the asparagus plant to bringing the best out of its tender stems in the kitchen. Artichokes belong to the thistle family and are easy to grow in our Mediterranean climate, but you need to understand their rhythm to select the best for picking. For lunch, head chef Schalk Vlok will demonstrate and share cooking tips using freshly harvested asparagus and artichoke hearts.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Old Bakery is included.

Berry feast: bake your own frangipane tart at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Indulge in the season of summer fruit at this hands-on workshop where we’ll learn various baking techniques with master baker Martjie Malan.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, Martjie will teach you the art of making a moreish masterpiece.

We will be making a sweet tart dough and frangipane filling to bake a glorious berry frangipane tart. Frangipane refers to a French tart paste made of ground almonds. We’ll also learn various baking techniques evolving around berries, including how to cook a berry topping to serve with a variety of desserts and roasts.

After an exciting morning, a hearty lunch will be served at the Old Stables Restaurant.

Discover the secret life of insects

Only 15 places available

Insects are vital for the functioning and survival of our ecosystems. From pollination and seed dispersal to decomposition, pest control and more, they fulfil many ecological roles in our gardens and our food supply sources. They might be tiny, but they should never be overlooked!

Grab your magnifying glass and join entomologist Arné Stander in exploring different insects in our garden. Take a closer look at the insects on display and learn more about warning colours, camouflage and mimicry in both terrestrial and aquatic insects. Learn how to attract beneficial insects to your garden to turn it into a thriving microcosm within your greater environment. Love them or hate them, you’ll be fascinated by the secret life of insects!

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Veg on fire! Get grilling with our Babel head chef

Only 15 places available

Every action at Babylonstoren is guided by the ever-changing tapestry of our magnificent garden. With the arrival of spring, we celebrate a new season with an array of interesting veggies. These are elevated in true South African spirit with the addition of smoke and fire!

We’ll kick off in the garden to harvest what’s in season before heading to the Old Bakery to light the fires and explore ways to prepare veg over the coals.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Old Bakery is included.

Discover the secrets of traditional Italian balsamic vinegar

Only 8 places available

When the time came to make our very own balsamic vinegar, we turned to the masters of la dolce vita for inspiration. With this artisanal venture, we salute true DOP-style balsamic vinegar, but with a twist of our own. Our resident balsamic maestro, Klaas Stoffberg, will start with a cellar tour, explaining the traditional methods and production processes used to create this heavenly liquid – from picking and pressing grapes and boiling the grape juice, to the lengthy maturation process.

In our maturation space, the balsamic vinegar is poured into a smaller barrel every year until, at last, it is ready to be enjoyed with family and friends.

Join us for this very special occasion of bottling from the smallest barrel in the battery – pure black gold! A tasting of this rare and sought-after delicacy will follow.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Tasting Room is included.

Encounter the colourful world of clivias and other indigenous bulbs

Only 15 places available

Every spring season, Babylonstoren’s exquisite collection of South African clivias come to life for their annual flowering. During this masterclass, you’ll learn how to grow them in your own garden. Babylonstoren botanist Ernst van Jaarsveld will share his wealth of knowledge on the different species of clivia, veltheimia, scadoxus, crinum, watsonia and many more to show you how to sow, grow and maintain them. You’ll be taught to divide old clivia plants, which potting mix and fertiliser to use, and how to treat common diseases.

The class includes an insightful, guided walk through the Babylonstoren garden to see the thousands of clivias growing in the shade of our wild olive trees, as well as the many other indigenous bulbs in our nursery collections. Before enjoying lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant, you’ll be able to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills to practice by cleaning clivia seeds and planting them to take home.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Cape food: seasonal green fig preserve at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Green fig preserve is one of the most sought-after and versatile preserves in the collective South African pantry – delicious with anything from aged cheese to Christmas cakes and a myriad of other sweet bakes. Join us in the Soetmelksvlei kitchen as we celebrate these seasonal gems.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, farm foodie Louzel Steyn will teach you the art of preserving your own green figs.

Put on your sunhat and comfortable walking shoes for this workshop as we’ll be heading into the garden and farm orchards to pick our own early, unripe green figs.

After an exciting morning, a hearty lunch will be served at the Old Stables Restaurant.

Create a natural freshwater pond

Only 15 places available

A thriving freshwater pond in your garden creates a habitat for various animals and plants. A well-established pond becomes a functioning ecosystem, including amphibians and freshwater invertebrates, and attracts birds as well as small mammals and reptiles.

In this workshop, master botanist Ernst van Jaarsveld and conservation ecologist and entomologist Arné Stander will share their knowledge on creating such an ecosystem at home – from where to start, what substrates to use, what plants to plant, and what fish you can add to create a wonderful oasis in your garden.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Grow your own summer vegetables

Only 15 places available

Babylonstoren prides itself on the seasonal fruit and vegetables that abound in our garden, and we are happy to share our secrets. Join Babylonstoren’s vegetable team, York Steyn & Tenecia Stevens, in the vegetable garden where they will demonstrate their top growing tips and tell you more about crop rotation, no-dig soil preparation, compost, mulches, propagation and planting.

The workshop will focus on planning your summer crop rotation, planting seedlings, companion planting and pest control.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Cape food: farm bread & kaiings at Soetmelksvlei

Only 10 spaces available

Ever heard of kaiings? If you’re from a rural part of South Africa, chances are you have fond memories of this delicacy. If not, join us for an education on one of the most underrated and utterly delicious savoury treats to come from the traditional kitchen.

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, farm foodie Louzel Steyn will teach you the art of making traditional kaiings.

Kaiings are crispy bits of lard or fat, rendered to perfection and served with lots of salt and a starch of choice. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll learn to make our own kaiings, as well as fresh farm bread to serve alongside.

After an exciting morning, a hearty lunch will be served at the Old Stables Restaurant.

Cape cooking: traditional bobotie with seasonal chutney

Only 10 spaces available

Bobotie is considered the national dish of South Africa, having been served at a special dinner by the United Nations Women’s Organisation in 1954. It is one of the most engrained recipes in traditional South African cuisine, with cultural influences from all over the world, including Malaysia, France and the Netherlands. Bobotie is celebrated everywhere in South Africa – from high-end restaurants to casual eateries, and around the dinner table in many homes.

Join us in the heritage kitchen of Soetmelksvlei to celebrate this South African icon. Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured.

Here, master baker Martjie Malan will teach you the art of making traditional bobotie alongside its classic companion. Chutney, or blatjang as it’s called in Afrikaans, is a spicy condiment cooked from a variety of fruits.

After a hands-on morning in the farm air, we’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at the Old Stables Restaurant before heading back to Babylonstoren.

Discover the healing powers of herbs

Only 15 places available

Welcome to the sanctuary of our Healing Garden, where Gundula, the guardian of this special space, will inspire you to look at herbs with new eyes. She’ll delve into the healing powers of each of the more familiar greens and uncover a few herbs you may not have come across before. You’ll return home with a few simple recipes for homemade remedies and an understanding of how herbs may support and guide the body – but not before indulging in a scrumptious, healthy alfresco lunch.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch in the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Birding at Babylonstoren

Only 15 places available

Bring your binoculars and comfortable shoes and join us for a walk through the garden and parts of the farm to spot some of our feathered friends. At Babylonstoren, we boast more than 70 bird species through the seasons – from the nocturnal barn owl to the gregarious mousebird. As the garden grows, more and more birds are attracted to visit or stay. Come and get to know your local birds and learn how to invite them into your own garden.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Pruning pros: focus on fruit trees in summer

Only 15 places available

A good trim goes a long way to ensure healthy and good-looking trees in your garden. Did you know that a summer cut is just as important as pruning your trees ahead of the season? Join our fruit tree expert Comine van Zyl as she guides you through the technicalities of summer pruning with our own Babylonstoren garden as reference.

The start of summer signals the last thinning out of our stone fruit – plums, peaches and apricots. It’s also the time for our younger fruit trees (specifically plums) to be trained and fixed as needed for the espalier systems. Guests will be able to help trim our quince step-over hedges that need a cut every second week to keep in shape. We’ll look at the citrus shoots that need clearing and take part in the pruning of pears and apples.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Grow your own edible and cut flowers

Only 15 places available

Let the seasons ahead be a flower feast! If you find joy in giving and receiving flowers, we hope to inspire you to grow your own. Join us at the start of summer for expert help to plan your cut flower and edible flower garden with flower specialist Louise Steenkamp and master gardener Gundula Deutschländer.

We’ll show you how to sow zinnias and other summer annuals, as well as how to propagate dahlias from cuttings and how to transplant seedlings – all in preparation for this summer’s fireworks.

In this hands-on workshop, guests will get to celebrate flowers for their beauty and their functionality. You’ll learn to use blooms as eye-candy as well as delightful snacks as so many flowers can be enjoyed both in a vase and on your plate. The class will give a whole different angle to skipping through the daisies this summer.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Christmas decor from the garden

Only 15 places available

Join Constance, our floral artist, as we get into the spirit of the Christmas season. Walk with her through the garden and fill your basket with seedheads, flowers, foliage and whatever piques your interest, before observing a demonstration of a few of her favourite Christmas decoration designs. Constance will guide you while you make your own Christmas wreath to take home.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.

Lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant is included.

Hands-on kids: bake & ice your own festive biscuits at Soetmelksvlei (kids aged 6–12)

Only 10 spaces available

All aboard the Babylonstoren bus to Soetmelksvlei for a day of baking fun! In this hands-on workshop, we invite aspiring young chefs between the ages of six and twelve to bake some farm animal biscuits – and eat them too!

Following a short ride along the picturesque slopes of Simonsberg, we’ll descend towards the historical farmyard of Soetmelksvlei, which represents a time when life was simpler and craftsmanship was treasured. Here, master baker Martjie Malan will guide young bakers to mix, roll, shape and bake their own vanilla butter biscuits with some farm flair. We’ll also make icing to decorate our festive biscuits.

After the baking session, you are welcome to explore Soetmelksvlei and all its offerings to your heart’s content. A shuttle departs frequently from Soetmelksvlei to take you back to Babylonstoren when you are ready.

Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum 2 children per adult.

Juice and a snack are included.