All the seasons of Cheverells Farm

Apple picking in summer and winter stay special

Last updated: Monday, 29 May 2023

This working apple farm is an irresistible stop, whether it’s for a summer day trip or a cosy winter weekend getaway. 

The rolling hills surrounding Cheverells Farm are beautiful all year round. Image: Cheverells Farm 

BRUNCH ON FRESH BOWLS  

The Cheverells Farm Shed is a treat during the warmer months. The country café, converted from an old apple shed, has floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the sun to stream in and offer arriving guests a stunning view of the Elgin Valley’s green hills. It serves refreshing fare, like salad bowls, and guests quickly book out the apple picking experiences during harvest season.

Cheverells is only an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Image: Cheverells Farm 

The menu is seasonal and follows a farm-to-fork approach, with many ingredients either being grown on the farm or sourced as much as possible from small local businesses. 

The menu offers something for everyone from light meals, like the salmon trout, avocado, baby spinach and mange tout bowl, to gourmet homemade free range beef burgers and refreshing freshly-squeezed apple juice (you can choose between plain apple or apple, mint and ginger). 

The roast aubergine and edamame goodness green bowl is light and vibrant for a summer lunch. Image: Cheverells Farm 

COME FOR THE FOOD, STAY FOR THE COTTAGES   

Cheverells also boasts two sweet self-catering farm cottages: Kiku and Braeburn, named after apple varieties. With french green shutters and each with their own semi-private gardens and stoeps, for views of the surrounding Elgin Valley, they are irresistibly inviting. 

Filled with all sorts of floral plants (from velvety salvias to roses and fynbos), the lush green gardens surround a large pond. The grass is soft enough to lay a blanket down and have a picnic, or read a book. Sunny weather also means you can take a long stroll around the farm and see the apple-farming in action. 

The farm cottages are a picturesque escape from city life. Image: Cheverells Farm 

BOOK THE ACCOMMODATION SPECIAL  

The cottages themselves are adorned with lots of cosy details to keep you warm; a small fireplace and a basket of wood on arrival, as well as electric blankets, heaters and plush blankets. They also have a back-up gas camping stove, rechargeable lamps and candles in the event of loadshedding. 

The kitchen is fully kitted-out (it even has herbs and a coffee plunger), so a comforting bredie or soup can be made in the chilly weather. It’s also a 5-minute drive from Peregrine Farm Stall, in case a last-minute bottle of red wine is needed to warm you up from the inside out. 

Cheverells has a winter accommodation special: Stay for one night during the week, and get the second night half price (Valid from 1 June to 31 August 2023). 

Winter brings its own sense of magic and beauty on this apple farm. Image: Cheverells Farm 

TRY HEARTY SOUPS + WINTER TREATS   

Cheverells Farm Shed offers a more cosy menu during winter, like the warm grilled veggie bowl with roasted quinoa and goat cheese. 

There’s also a soup of the day (like cauliflower truffle soup or roast pumpkin soup with harissa, orange and coriander) and a winter meal of the week. You can expect hearty meals, such as slow-cooked oxtail in red wine with tomato gravy or rosemary lamb sausages. Homemade treats (which change weekly, like raspberry and vanilla cream cake) pair well with a cappuccino or pot of tea. 

The winter menu includes plenty of hearty soups. Image: Cheverells Farm

During this time, the Shed also serves a Weekend Set Menu (two courses for R265 or three courses for R320).  The menu changes weekly, but the dishes are winter warmers like slow-roasted pork belly or farm apple and blackberry pistachio crumble served with creme fraîche or home made ice cream. 

Please note: Cheverells is closed from 21 June to 18 July 2023, when the staff take their yearly break. 

One of the desserts on the Weekend Set Menu is this apple and frangipane tart (it comes with homemade cinnamon ice cream). Image: Cheverells Farm 

LEARN A NEW HOBBY OR SKILL   

Cheverells also hosts all kinds of events and experiences year-round. 

In the warmer months, apple-picking is open to the public (this gets booked up quickly). Guests get a guided tour, where the morning is spent exploring the orchards, learning about different apple varieties and picking their own apples. 

The food and wine pairing evenings are also popular. Cheverells partners with a chef and a wine farm to offer a fine-dining experience at the Shed. Other events include an array of hobbies and new skills to learn, like watercolour painting, jewellery making, gardening, floral arranging and more. 

Discover more about Cheverells Farm and the approach that owner, Catherine Boome, takes towards wholesome farm-fresh food. 

Many of the experiences include food too. Image: Cheverells Farm 

VISIT CHEVERELLS FARM

The Farm Shed is open: Wednesday to Sunday, 8am - 3pm
Annual break: 21 June - 18 July 2023
Find it: 55 Highlands Rd | Elgin Valley (5-minute drive from Peregrine Farm Stall)
Contact details: cheverellsfarm@gmail.com, 060 861 1044, @cheverellsfarm
See upcoming events: Via the website
Book a stay: Via Nightsbridge
Cost: From R1 450 per night, depending on season 

By Julia Rowley 

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MAKE MORE DISCOVERIES  

Looking to get out this winter? Try these cosy accommodation spots. 

Stay indoors (but not at home) with these indoor activities in Cape Town.  

Discover more about what you can do at Cheverells Farm. 

Go on one of these six incredible day trips. 

See what’s on in Cape Town this weekend.

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