As you may know by now, I’m a huge fan of road tripping in South Africa. There’s something really exciting about hitting the open road, the wind in your hair, leaving any worries or cares behind for a few days while exploring and discovering new places along the way to your destination. We’re really fortunate living in the Western Cape as there are many fun day trips within easy driving distance of Cape Town, as well as beautiful weekend getaways that you can drive to within an hour or two.

Which is why I was super excited when Charmane Johnston contacted me to say I was chosen as the lucky winner of a two night stay at Little Oak Cottage in Greyton … whoopee! Greyton, a charming and idyllic village in the Overberg, has been on my #localislekker travel bucket list for years and I was finally going to tick it off. Charmane, the bubbly owner of Little Oak Cottage, couldn’t possibly know how happy she’d made me by drawing my name out of the hat.

Arriving in Greyton a few weeks later, I was immediately enchanted as we took a slow drive down Main Road. It’s impossible not to be awestruck by what you see. I felt as if I had stepped back in time. Greyton, nestled at the foot of the majestic Sonderend Mountain range, was founded in 1854 and many historical buildings are found here. I fell in love with this quaint country village and I hadn’t even set foot on the ground yet! But before you think that it is unkempt and full of crumbling buildings, think again. It’s clean and tidy and the old and new are in perfect harmony with one other.

Driving slowly down Caledon Street (a dirt road), we passed some horses along the way – this is real country living folks! I gasped with delight when I saw our home for the next two nights. It’s a quaint whitewashed one bedroom stone cottage with a blue front door and shutters. It looked as if it had come straight out of an Enid Blyton storybook – absolutely charming and captivating. We were met by Charmane, our friendly host, who proudly showed us around.

Once inside, you’ll find a spacious downstairs open plan area with just about every modern convenience you could possibly wish for. The beautifully decorated cottage has a very comfy couch in front of the fireplace which is perfect for those romantic winter evenings. The dining table can comfortably seat four people and the kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering.

Thoughtful touches like a bottle of wine, fresh fruit and even doggie biscuits await you. Furry friends are welcome too. The patio doors lead out onto a large outdoor deck overlooking a beautiful garden with lovely mountain views, complete with a braai (barbeque), wooden table, chairs and an umbrella. The best part? A stunning plunge pool which I just couldn’t wait to get into! It was the perfect place to beat the summer heat and enjoy a cold one. Honestly, Allan and Charmane Johnston have thought of everything.

The top floor has a wonderful open plan bedroom and en-suite bathroom (bath and shower) with probably just about the most comfortable queen size bed I have ever had the pleasure of sleeping in. Elegant white linen, throws and cushions make for a very restful and peaceful sleep. Pity about the snoring hubby! All home-away-from-home comforts are provided so don’t worry if you’ve left your hair dryer or shampoo behind.

Before heading out to explore the village, we decided that a cold drink and a dip in the pool was a great idea. After all, we came out to Greyton for a break from busy city life and to relax as much as possible. Little Oak Cottage is the perfect tranquil and private hideaway to do just that. It was really tough to tear ourselves away from the peace and beauty of the cottage and garden, but somehow we managed to head into the village to do a bit of exploring.

The village is fairly quiet during the week but weekends can become busy with visitors. We easily found a shaded parking spot and took a slow stroll along oak-lined Main Road, peeking into various coffee shops, restaurants and stores.  I decided to explore the art galleries and vintage stores on our last day. For a small village, there are quite a lot of coffee shops and restaurants to choose from. You won’t find any chain restaurants here! Instead, you’ll be treated to delicious country cooking, sometimes with a fresh, modern twist.

It was a hot day. We were thirsty. So it made total sense to grab a cold one or two at the Old Potter’s Inn, Brewhouse and Gastropub. Nestled among the oaks, this charming 1830 heritage building – once a pottery – also offers comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation. There is a beautiful garden and swimming pool in the back for exclusive guest use only. The front stoep (patio), facing the Main Road, is the ideal spot to chat and relax with a craft beer whilst lazily watching the world go by. You’re in the country now so there really is no rush. You may even spot a cow or two wandering past slowly in search of some grass. And we did on more than one occasion.

There are a number of craft beers lovingly made on site in the Micro Brewery. I am first and foremost a wine and bubbly lover, but it would be a crime to have anything other than a craft beer here. Our favourite was the Saison “Plaas Japie”, a dry and thirst quenching beer that went down very nicely in the heat of the day. If this one doesn’t float your boat, there are three other ales you can try and decide which one (or ones!) you like best. Mariza, one of the friendly owners, told us we were in luck as it was Happy Hour that evening (Locals Night every Wednesday) and all craft beers were half price! They also offer a special Locals Night menu that changes weekly. So naturally we had to stay for that.

The stoep (patio) was soon buzzing with locals enjoying their half price beers and some really tasty grub. I had the Slow Smoked & Pulled Free Range Pork Taco with a Plum Barbeque sauce that was just heavenly. It’s amazing how many of the same people we bumped into on the same day and saw that evening at Old Potter’s. This is clearly the place to be on Wednesday evenings.

Again, it was tough to leave the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of Old Potter’s, but we knew we’d be back the following day. Somewhat reluctantly, we said our goodbyes and headed back to our cottage for a braai (barbeque) and drinks on the patio.

We were treated to a spectacular African sunset that became even more beautiful with the passing clouds. These clouds fortunately brought some much needed rain to the area during the night. It was so cosy lying in our warm, comfy bed while listening to the rain falling against the window panes.

We popped by Greyton Tourism the next morning on our way to brunch. Charlene was very informative and friendly and gave us some good info and advice on what to see and do. Next stop was Via’s Deli & Stay for some much needed sustenance.

Sitting on the patio facing the impressive Sonderend Mountain range, we sipped on a cappuccino and decided what to do for the day. Greyton has plenty of activities to keep everyone happy (see below for more info). Hubby declared his Full English breakfast delicious and my generous plate of Salmon Eggs Benedict was so tasty.

We decided to take a walk through the scenic Greyton Nature Reserve . You’ll find the entrance to the Reserve at the very end of Park Street (about a 5 minute drive from the village centre). There is no entrance fee and offers numerous walking and hiking trails. The walking trail was about an hour long and took us past the dam and near the gorge. It’s an easy walk to do and incredibly peaceful and scenic, with beautiful fynbos (fine-leaved plants) everywhere. Just beware of the baboons! Fortunately, we didn’t come across any.

Walking in the heat of the summer afternoon was probably not the best idea so we stopped at the Vanilla Café to quench our thirst. It’s a quirky country spot with an eclectic interior. It’s great for kids as it has a large outdoor play area with a jungle gym. We relaxed on gorgeous day beds under the vines while sipping on rosé wine and beer. I could easily get used to the slow, relaxed pace of country living.

We were keen for a swim and some relax time on the deck so headed back to our haven. I could have stayed here for the whole evening, but by now our tummies were growling so off we went in search of dinner. Most restaurants close around 9.30pm, so go out early enough so as not to rush your meal. We had a few lovely recommendations from Charmane, such as The Post House and Abbey Rose. We ended up at Abbey Rose and thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. Hubby opted for the Pork Belly with crispy crackling (he shared some of his yummy crackling with me!) while I had the creamy Mushroom Risotto. Both were excellent choices.

All too soon, our wonderful getaway had come to an end. I could easily have stayed another night or two. But first … breakfast! Fiore Garden Centre is a must visit. It’s really lush and green with a soothing waterfall in the garden, as well as a small play area for younger kids.

The coffee shop serves breakfast, lunch, tea, snacks and yummy sweet treats. While we were there, I got chatting to Mishka who works in the coffee shop. She mentioned they were installing a pizza oven and have applied for their liquor licence. They are also adding an undercover patio with drop down blinds for those cold winter days and evenings. I can see this becoming a very popular evening venue as well.

Hubby dropped me off at the one end of Main Road so I could explore the various shops, art galleries and vintage stores. Searle’s Trading Post is like stepping into a time warp. If antiques are your thing, you’re bound to find a treasure or two. Some antiques were rather lovely, while others were just downright creepy – think porcelain dolls with unblinking and unseeing staring eyes that seem to follow you wherever you go. Is it just me or do they also give you the creeps?

Thankful to be back outside in the sunshine, I walked across the road and popped into The Earthy Shop that supports sustainable community growth. Here you’ll find a wide range of organic soap, coffee, tea, hats, pottery, cards, candles and jewellery, to name a few.

Caring for the environment is very important to Greyton and its residents. Among their various projects, the civic-minded group launched a campaign to be the first plastic bag-free town in South Africa.

Vintage & Vogue stocks everything from artwork and Fitflop shoes to glassware and crockery. Willow&Bailey is a sheer delight where you are sure to find a rare (possibly first edition) book, distinctive gifts and home ware. The iconic Von Geusau Chocolate Shop is located next door but was unfortunately closed.

I met up with hubby at Old Potter’s Inn (where else?) where we lingered over one last drink and firmly decided that we would definitely return to magical Greyton. I have fallen head over heels in love with this enchanting village and its welcoming and friendly residents. Most people are quite happy to chat and tell you their story of how they came to live here. Some left to go elsewhere but the pull of Greyton was just too much and they found themselves living happily here once more. It may be quaint and small, but the infrastructure is sophisticated with excellent food shops, a pharmacy and doctor. You can buy everything from quality meat and free range poultry to freshly grown organic produce and piping hot bread straight from the oven.

Here are a few popular choices on what to do in and around Greyton:

They have awesome MTB (mountain bike), hiking and running trails, as well as fabulous events like the Greyton Classics, a feast of music, Greyton Creative Weekends and the Greyton Rose Festival.

Go for a walk or hike in the scenic Greyton Nature Reserve. It includes the famous Boesmanskloof trail between Greyton and McGregor.

I’m told the Saturday Morning Market is a must! I’m sorry we weren’t there to experience it ourselves. Get to know the locals and purchase fresh, wholesome fare. Eclectic arts and crafts are on sale too. As most food is sourced locally, it’s low on carbon-footprint.

Take a leisurely cycle through the town. There are places that rent them out.

Go for a horse ride through the valley.

The historic village of Genadendal is only 6km from Greyton. It is the oldest Moravian mission village in Africa with church buildings and a school dating back to 1738. Take a step back in time with a visit here as well as the fascinating museum.

Pop in to the Old Potter’s Inn for a pint of cold craft beer.

Enjoy a ½ pint of cold craft beer at Old Potter’s Inn.

Children will have a ball with tons of freedom while splashing in the leiwater channels, cycling past cows and donkeys and spending quality time with their families.

Indulge in culinary delights at some of the excellent restaurants, cafés and coffee shops. The Brewers Bistro Restaurant at Old Potter’s Inn and The Post House are on my list for our next visit.

If you’re a history fan, then book the Greyton Village Historic Walk through Greyton Tourism.

Ok, so my list contains a little more then 7 ½ things to do in and around Greyton!

Two nights gave us a tantalizing taster of what Greyton is all about and we had a truly amazing time. Greyton, you have captured our hearts and we can’t wait to visit you again soon. Definitely add this lovely country village to your travel bucket list. Let me know if you’ve been to gorgeous Greyton or are planning a visit soon.