Boschendal keeps historic entrance

New small commercial and parking component will give visitors to Boschendal a new approach and allow the existing entrance to return to its 18th century look.

Responding to criticism from those who feel that the tarred road approach to the historic Boschendal farmhouse and werf (which passes the popular Le Pique Nique area) is inappropriate for an historic setting, Boschendal's new owners are diverting the entrance road to the right and will be laying out a new 500 parking area on a currently unused field which has stunning views of the Groot Drakenstein mountains. (These are not easily visible from the Le Pique Nique and werf areas because of the many trees there.)

The move, said Clive Venning, Boschendal's CEO, has opened up several marketing opportunities because the walk from the new car park to the werf area and restaurants will take visitors past a row of seven disused labourers' cottages. These will be renovated and upgraded into boutique shops with simple white plastered façades and their farm ambience will be preserved.

The shops, said Venning, will sell mainly produce from the estate and its environs. Wine, cheese, lavender products, olives and fruit will be complemented by locally made handcrafts and jewellery. There will also be a coffee shop and an art gallery in the new complex.

Asked if these new facilities will not siphon off visitors to the main attractions at Boschendal, Venning said that some sections of Boschendal are overburdened during the peak holiday seasons and the estate needs additional tourist-related facilities.

Following up on plans to make Boschendal a more popular venue for corporate and sporting functions, Venning said that the new parking area will be flanked by an open-air weekend market at which local vendors, crafters and small farmers will be welcome.

The market, he said, will be expanded before the end of this year to host local festivals and fairs, including several for which Franschhoek is already famous – such as the cheese, wine and olive festivals.

"Our architects, Dennis Moss & Associates, are well known for their skill in the renovation of Cape village houses," said Venning. "The 80 metre paved walk along the front façade of these small shops should be a very pleasant addition to Boschendal's offerings and is likely to become as popular as the other public areas in the estate."

For more information contact Clive Venning on 021 870 4200.

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