“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” This well-known sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett Browning may not refer to a person in this case, but rather a place, and a very special one at that.
Before you think that I have totally lost the plot by quoting a sonnet, I can assure you that I am of perfectly sound mind (well, somewhat!). If you have ever stayed in the magical village of McGregor, you will know that this sonnet is very apt. There are many reasons to fall in love with this charming and quaint village. Have a read about what we got up to while staying in McGregor a few months ago.
WHERE WE STAYED – LAUREL COTTAGE
McGregor may be a small village, but there are plenty of places to stay. From self-catering cottages and farm accommodation to B&B’s and guesthouses, you will be spoilt for choice.
We wanted a relaxing and tranquil getaway in the countryside, and we got that in spades at stunning Laurel Cottage. As we arrived and parked beside the lush olive grove, we felt right at home.
Located on the edge of the village within easy walking distance of the main high street, this beautifully furnished, well-equipped spacious three bedroom cottage (more like a sprawling farmhouse) is charming and full of character, a true sanctuary from the demands of busy city living. I dashed from room to room, oohing and aahing at every turn. The décor is quite eclectic with old and new blending together harmoniously.
We brought enough food to feed a small army, along with the usual assortment of spices and olive oil. But fear not if you have forgotten to bring any of these as you will find them here, including tea, coffee and sugar in the very well-equipped kitchen. There is a small shop in the village that sells essentials. If you need to do a bigger food shop, Robertson is about a 20km drive from McGregor.
This house is perfect for entertaining with a large front veranda overlooking the olive grove, distant mountains and a lovely long swimming pool (it is very deep so children must be accompanied at all times by an adult). The grassy back garden with a sheltered rear verandah is another great spot to chill with a cold one while listening to gentle country sounds.
Sleeping up to six guests in three bedrooms (two double and one twin), the main bedroom is ensuite with an outside shower and French doors that lead on to the front verandah. The twin and double rooms have large sash windows and shared use of a spacious ‘Victorian’ shower room.
The relaxed open plan living space features a fireplace with comfortable couches, TV, a large modern kitchen island with an oven and hob and a lovely dining table. Double doors open from the living space on to both the spacious front verandah and the sheltered rear verandah where you can braai (barbecue).
This warm and welcoming cottage has all the amenities you could possibly need for your stay. Click here for a full list of amenities.
OUT AND ABOUT IN McGREGOR
There is much to see and do in and around McGregor. If you have limited time for sightseeing, then try as best you can to plan your excursions prior to your stay so that you don’t miss out on any of them. Keep in mind that some places, especially on weekends, either close early or are not open at all. I really wanted to pop in to Bemind Wyne, a boutique garagiste wine cellar in the village, but we missed them by just a few minutes on Saturday. Now I have a very good reason to go back to McGregor!
A VISIT TO ESELTJIESRUS DONKEY SANCTUARY
Our first stop on Saturday morning was the Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary. Providing a permanent home and loving care to destitute, rescued donkeys, they have cared for more than thirty donkeys at the Sanctuary since they opened and placed further numbers in approved foster homes. We spent some time learning more about the donkeys from the trained staff before heading to the Eseltjiesrus Restaurant for a light bite and a drink.
The outdoor verandah is peaceful and overlooks the lovely garden and small dam, where the symphony of birds fills the air. The shop in the Visitors Centre is filled with all sorts of donkey related items from cuddly woollen donkeys to keyrings, fridge magnets, wine (yes, they have their own small wine range), cards, succulents and more. There is also a secondhand bookshop which will delight any book lover.
Caring for donkeys is very costly. You can support the sanctuary by adopting a donkey, making a donation, buying wine, books or something from the shop.
If you have a MySchool/MyVillage/MyPlanet card, you can link Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary as a beneficiary (you may have up to three) earning income for the Sanctuary at NO cost to yourself. It is easy to apply for a card with Woolworths if you do not yet have one.
Take some time to slow down and get to know these lovely animals. I highly recommend visiting the Sanctuary, whether you have kids or not.
WHERE WE TASTED WINES – TANAGRA WINERY
Not far from the Eseltjiesrus, you will find Tanagra Winery, a boutique winery and grappa distillery which is part of the McGregor Wine Meander, a slow and winding 15km route that takes you through vine-clad hills, past orchards, farmsteads and stretches of veld. Shaded by an old giant fig tree, the scenic setting was made even more enjoyable with a personal tasting experience with Robert the owner.
Produced from single vineyard grapes, they produce mostly red wines with the exception of a Colombard released in 2017. The two standouts for me were the Cabernet Franc Rosé 2018, a crisp, refreshing and dry rosé and the beautifully named Carah 2016, a Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend. Naturally, I bought some to take home. Well, that was the idea anyway. I couldn’t resist sipping on the divine rosé during lunch 😉
WHERE WE ATE – LADY GREY RESTAURANT
We were told that the best pizzas in the McGregor area could be found at the Lady Grey Restaurant at Lord’s Guest Lodge. Our son in particular loves pizza so off we went, taking a slow drive along a dirt country road and literally headed for the hills. Reservations are recommended, especially if you want to enjoy the sweeping valley views and lush gardens from the outdoor verandah.
Situated atop the Koningsrivier Hills between Robertson and McGregor, the picturesque setting is just breathtaking. The elegant restaurant takes you back to a time of luxury and refinement, yet it has a homely feel to it. Warmly welcomed by the wait staff and the sound of ABBA playing in the background (yes please!), we were seated outside on the shaded verandah.
We had such a lovely afternoon together in a stunning setting, taking in the beautiful views, exploring the gardens, sipping on divine wine, chatting and munching on moreish pizza. They received very high praise for their pizza from our son. Mine was also excellent and I ended off with an adult milkshake, also known as a Dom Pedro. The a-la-carte menu offers a variety of other dishes such as salads and burgers if you aren’t a fan of pizza. But seriously, who doesn’t enjoy pizza?
I would happily return to the Lady Grey. What’s not to love about friendly and efficient service, amazing valley and mountain views, delicious food and fine wines in a tranquil setting?
BACK AT LAUREL COTTAGE
Both hubby and son were quite happy to spend a leisurely Sunday at the cottage. I often find that we are so busy exploring, that we don’t make the time to relax and unwind. A bubbly breakfast on the front verandah was an inspired idea if I do say so myself 😉 We enjoyed a braai (barbeque) for lunch, played board games and swam. I was so chilled that I even had a cat nap beside the pool later that day.
We ventured out that evening for a stroll through the village. It is like taking a step back in time. The village of McGregor (originally called Lady Grey) was officially proclaimed in 1862, so keep an eye out for national monuments and historical places of interest.
HEADING HOME – NUY ON THE HILL
On our way home, we stopped at Nuy on the hill for lunch and a craft gin tasting. This very popular spot on the R60 between Worcester and Robertson is a must stop on any traveller’s list of places to eat and drink. Well known for their extensive range of wines, they recently introduced their craft gin range consisting of Nuy Mastery Craft Gin and the limited edition Nuy Legacy Craft Gin.
Nuy ensures quality by producing and sourcing the very best botanicals, alcohol and packaging from within the borders of South Africa and around the world.
Nuy Mastery Gin has tangy, fruity flavours and is priced at R375 per bottle. The limited edition Nuy Legacy Gin is a complex spicy spirit and retails at R425 per bottle.
Both gins can be tasted at Nuy’s tasting room and restaurant at R30 per person. They are also available as specially designed gin cocktails at R58 each. They can be purchased at the tasting room and restaurant or online at Nuy Winery.
These hand-crafted gins are created in small batches at a time with 2500 bottles of the Nuy Mastery Craft Gin and only 1000 bottles of the limited edition Nuy Legacy Craft Gin. These are great gift ideas for Christmas.
Our lunch was a delight as always with friendly service and breathtaking vineyard and mountain views.
Our time in McGregor was truly special. Will we return? Absolutely! Should you visit this wonderfully charming and quaint village? Most definitely! This unique village is perfect to get away from the madding crowd and unwind in the countryside.
There is much to see and do, so make sure you stay long enough to explore McGregor and the surrounding areas. I would recommend at least one week 😉 It is a fabulous destination offering something for everyone. A real country gem that will capture your heart in so many ways. Have you been to stay in McGregor yet? I would love to hear about your experience, so feel free to leave your comments below. For more information about McGregor and where to stay, eat, play and shop, take a look at McGregor Country Getaways.
Yours in Travel, Wine and Food
xoxo
Please note – This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to stay at Laurel Cottage by Mira Weiner of Hot Oven Marketing for review purposes. All views are my own and based on personal experiences. Images are my own unless otherwise indicated.
