By Roxanne Reid
Taste the fruit and wine. Listen to the sound of birdsong. Feel the hot water of a natural spring on your skin. Smell the fynbos as you hike among ancient rocks. See a star-dusted sky. These are just a few of the pleasures that await you a two-and-a-half-hour drive northeast of Cape Town. Here’s my pick of things to do in Montagu, South Africa.
Taste the fruit and wine. Listen to the sound of birdsong. Feel the hot water of a natural spring on your skin. Smell the fynbos as you hike among ancient rocks. See a star-dusted sky. These are just a few of the pleasures that await you a two-and-a-half-hour drive northeast of Cape Town. Here’s my pick of things to do in Montagu, South Africa.
The Klein Karoo town of Montagu lies near the wine farming areas of the Robertson Valley and Breede River Valley and forms the western starting point the engagingly eccentric Route 62. Drive through the rock tunnel at Cogmanskloof and you’ll find the town stretching out among the Langeberg mountains and between the Keisie and Kingna rivers. It was founded in 1851 and named after John Montagu, the colonial secretary of the Cape at the time.
It’s perhaps best known for the hugely popular Montagu hot springs, although the main economic activities are farming of fruit, wine and table grapes. Tourism has grown by leaps and bounds, with a wide range of activities that focus on the fun to be had from history, food and wine, and adventure sports. Here’s my pick of some of the vast raft of Montagu activities.
1. Drive the Cogmanskloof Pass
The rock tunnel on the Cogmanskloof Pass
Cogmanskloof Pass connects Ashton with Montagu so if you come from Cape Town via Robertson, it will be along your way. The nearly 7km pass winds through towering reddish rocks. It was built by Thomas Bain, the same engineer who built the Swartberg Pass between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert. Cogmanskloof Pass took him five years and was completed in 1877. The route was extensively refurbished between 2015 and 2021 but some of Bain’s original stone walls are still there today despite the many floods they have seen over the years.
Pass through the oldest rock tunnel in South Africa then stop at one of the lay-byes to look back at the old English fort on top of the tunnel. It was built by the British in 1899 at the start of the Anglo Boer War and is now a national monument.
Look out for the concrete flood monument on the Montagu side of the tunnel, indicating the dramatic flood levels of 1981, 2003 and 2008.
2. Discover Montagu’s old buildings on foot
Pass through the oldest rock tunnel in South Africa then stop at one of the lay-byes to look back at the old English fort on top of the tunnel. It was built by the British in 1899 at the start of the Anglo Boer War and is now a national monument.
Look out for the concrete flood monument on the Montagu side of the tunnel, indicating the dramatic flood levels of 1981, 2003 and 2008.
2. Discover Montagu’s old buildings on foot
Cape Dutch building on the corner of Long and Church streets
Visit the tourism office inside the Montagu Country Hotel in Bath Street to get a copy of the historical walking tour of Montagu or download it here. Set out to learn about the Cape Dutch, Victorian, Cape Georgian and Karoo-style architecture. You can see all four styles come together on opposite corners where Long Street meets Church Street.
Discover the story behind the 1886 Poesieshoek in Montagu
Discover interesting stories along the way, like how when Paul Kruger visited Montagu, Montagu Hotel’s owner reneged on the planned reception for him because he didn’t like his politics. Kruger slept at Joubert House (see point 6) instead.
Another Montagu story I enjoyed was that of Poesieshoek in Mill Street. Built in 1886 in a Karoo Cape Georgian style, it was used as a temporary hospital during the Spanish Flu pandemic. Afterwards, it stood empty for a long time, believed to be haunted by the many people who had died there. Then twin sisters moved in to run it as a brothel – hence the name (you have to understand Afrikaans or Dutch to appreciate it). Today it’s a private home painted an electric blue.
There are 26 buildings along the historic route. You’ll also see the Spanish Flu plaque that commemorates those who died in this pandemic between 1918 and 1920, Joubert House (see point 6), the large Dutch Reformed Church and tiny St Mildred’s Anglican church, designed by Sophy Gray, wife of the Bishop of Cape Town, and completed in 1871.
3. Enjoy a classic car experience
Another Montagu story I enjoyed was that of Poesieshoek in Mill Street. Built in 1886 in a Karoo Cape Georgian style, it was used as a temporary hospital during the Spanish Flu pandemic. Afterwards, it stood empty for a long time, believed to be haunted by the many people who had died there. Then twin sisters moved in to run it as a brothel – hence the name (you have to understand Afrikaans or Dutch to appreciate it). Today it’s a private home painted an electric blue.
There are 26 buildings along the historic route. You’ll also see the Spanish Flu plaque that commemorates those who died in this pandemic between 1918 and 1920, Joubert House (see point 6), the large Dutch Reformed Church and tiny St Mildred’s Anglican church, designed by Sophy Gray, wife of the Bishop of Cape Town, and completed in 1871.
3. Enjoy a classic car experience
Feel like a film star in this 1956 Cadillac Sedan De Ville
Feel like a film star on a chauffeur-driven orientation tour of the highlights of Montagu with American Dream Cars. This experience is a member of Cape Country Routes, offering the chance of a lifetime to travel in style in a 1956 Cadillac Sedan De Ville with its tail fins and white-wall tyres to recall times gone by. Do the rounds of the Montagu hot springs, Cogmanskloof, see some notable historic buildings, and remember places you want to return to on your own to explore in more depth. This car has automatic transmission, air conditioning, electronic windows and amazingly comfy seats - not bad for a car that was built more than 60 years ago. There’s also a red 1964 Cadillac Sedan De Ville in the American Dream Cars stable, but this blue wonder stole my heart. The cars belong to P-J Basson of the Montagu Country Hotel and he often acts as chauffeur and guide. Our guide was Cas Groot, who gave us a fun and informative experience. Book your own Cadillac tour with the Montagu Country Hotel.
You can also book a wine tour in the area with American Dream Cars – a great way to have fun while not having to worry about drinking and driving.
4. Let your feet fly on an art bicycle
A third way to experience a town tour is to ride around on a Dutch-style bicycle with a single gear and back-pedal brake. Each bike is individually hand-painted with colourful art designs. Hire one to explore the town on your own, or join a historic town tour with Flying Feet to learn the stories that make up the town’s history.
Flying Feet also hires out e-bikes and mountain bikes (see point 15). Find them in the activity centre at the front of the Montagu Country Hotel.
5. Visit the Montagu Hot Springs
Multiple thermal springs were discovered at Montagu in the 1800s. They bubble up to the surface at temperatures of up to of 42 degrees Celsius and the mineral-rich water is thought to have healing properties. You can stay over or simply visit for the day. The springs, five swimming pools, a water slide, lush gardens and picnic areas are open seven days a week from 8:00 till 20:00. There are lots of other activities, like playing tennis or volleyball, renting a bike or letting the kids romp on the playgrounds.
6. Visit a museum
You can also book a wine tour in the area with American Dream Cars – a great way to have fun while not having to worry about drinking and driving.
4. Let your feet fly on an art bicycle
A third way to experience a town tour is to ride around on a Dutch-style bicycle with a single gear and back-pedal brake. Each bike is individually hand-painted with colourful art designs. Hire one to explore the town on your own, or join a historic town tour with Flying Feet to learn the stories that make up the town’s history.
Flying Feet also hires out e-bikes and mountain bikes (see point 15). Find them in the activity centre at the front of the Montagu Country Hotel.
5. Visit the Montagu Hot Springs
Multiple thermal springs were discovered at Montagu in the 1800s. They bubble up to the surface at temperatures of up to of 42 degrees Celsius and the mineral-rich water is thought to have healing properties. You can stay over or simply visit for the day. The springs, five swimming pools, a water slide, lush gardens and picnic areas are open seven days a week from 8:00 till 20:00. There are lots of other activities, like playing tennis or volleyball, renting a bike or letting the kids romp on the playgrounds.
6. Visit a museum
The kitchen at Joubert House in Long Street with its peach-pip floor
Visit Joubert House on Long Street to explore the past. Built in 1853, it’s the oldest town house in Montagu (although dwellings on surrounding farms predate it). It’s a house museum that shows how people lived some 160 years ago. I particularly enjoyed the toy collection and a large collection of dolls, from handmade rag dolls to porcelain dolls with historically correct clothing.
There’s a voorkamer with wide-planked wooden floors, furniture from the era and pictures of the Joubert family who lived here. There’s also a bedroom with a ghost story, and a kitchen and pantry with rietdak ceilings and peach-pip floors. I’m always fascinated by the gadgetry of old-fashioned kitchens. Riempie chairs, ceramic kitchen jars and old tins add to the mid-19th century ambiance.
Walk out the back door and wander around the indigenous medicinal plant garden. Read the info labels to find out which plants the Khoikhoi, San and settlers used for specific illnesses or conditions. There’s also a tiny square building called the Tronkie, which was used as the local jail.
A small fee gets you entrance to Joubert House as well as the Mission Church Museum just a short walk down Long Street, which depicts the history of the church and community.
7. Go wine tasting
There’s a voorkamer with wide-planked wooden floors, furniture from the era and pictures of the Joubert family who lived here. There’s also a bedroom with a ghost story, and a kitchen and pantry with rietdak ceilings and peach-pip floors. I’m always fascinated by the gadgetry of old-fashioned kitchens. Riempie chairs, ceramic kitchen jars and old tins add to the mid-19th century ambiance.
Walk out the back door and wander around the indigenous medicinal plant garden. Read the info labels to find out which plants the Khoikhoi, San and settlers used for specific illnesses or conditions. There’s also a tiny square building called the Tronkie, which was used as the local jail.
A small fee gets you entrance to Joubert House as well as the Mission Church Museum just a short walk down Long Street, which depicts the history of the church and community.
7. Go wine tasting
Montagu Wines & Spirits' famous red muscadel under the John Montagu label
Experience a wine tasting at Montagu Wines & Spirits (not to be confused with Montagu Kelders, which is a different company). This is the original maker of Montagu muscadel, which dates back to the 1930s and for which it is best known. The muscadel comes in two types – white and red – the second being their flagship. If sweet wines are your thing, you’ll want to taste them. They also make a range of normal white and red wines. If you enjoy local gins, ask to taste the two Tahlia gins made from prickly pear leaves and flowers. Montagu Wines & Spirits sells them but doesn’t make them; they come from a farm between Montagu and Barrydale.
Also remember that Montagu is only about 25km from a treasure-trove of Robertson wineries like Van Loveren, Weltevrede, Excelsior, Bon Courage and Springfield (the last one my absolute favourite both for its wines and its laid-back tasting deck overlooking a dam).
8. Browse the art galleries
Also remember that Montagu is only about 25km from a treasure-trove of Robertson wineries like Van Loveren, Weltevrede, Excelsior, Bon Courage and Springfield (the last one my absolute favourite both for its wines and its laid-back tasting deck overlooking a dam).
8. Browse the art galleries
This late-Victorian building used to house a bank, now it's home to an art gallery
If you appreciate art, there are quite a few places in Montagu to indulge your passion. They include Hicks Fine Art Gallery, the Ibis Gallery, THE Gallery, The Vault, and the Montagu Country Hotel’s gallery space, which hosts local artists in temporary exhibitions lasting two months each.
If you prefer a guide and fancy the idea of exploring on two wheels, join Flying Feet on a bike tour of the town and its art, including local art galleries, the Francois Krige collection at the KWV Museum and a private tour of one of the resident artists’ studios.
9. Pop in at the Montagu Village Market
If you’re in town between 8:30 and 12:30 on a Saturday morning, pop in at the village market in Euvrard Park, Bath Street. You’ll find a good local vibe with stalls selling everything from fresh veg, breads, cakes, honey and preserves to toys, plants, bric a brac, jewellery, pottery and other crafts.
10. Stroll through a nature garden
If you prefer a guide and fancy the idea of exploring on two wheels, join Flying Feet on a bike tour of the town and its art, including local art galleries, the Francois Krige collection at the KWV Museum and a private tour of one of the resident artists’ studios.
9. Pop in at the Montagu Village Market
If you’re in town between 8:30 and 12:30 on a Saturday morning, pop in at the village market in Euvrard Park, Bath Street. You’ll find a good local vibe with stalls selling everything from fresh veg, breads, cakes, honey and preserves to toys, plants, bric a brac, jewellery, pottery and other crafts.
10. Stroll through a nature garden
Stroll among the plants in the Montagu Nature Garden or relax on a bench
On the southern edge of town is the 12ha Montagu Nature Garden where you can enjoy the flowers and plants of three Western Cape regions – Fynbos, Succulent Karoo and Renosterveld. In early October when we visited, there were plenty of purple, yellow and orange flowers still in bloom, many of them vibrant vygies, but also fynbos, flowering shrubs and trees. There’s a pretty dam with water lilies and a wooden bridge over it.
There’s an almost negligible fee to enter, which you drop into the slot in the wall of the entryway. Take an energetic walk along one of the paths or relax on a bench and listen to the birds. The garden is open from 8:00 till 17:00 daily. You can enjoy tea and cake between 10:00 and 11:00 on Tuesday mornings between April and October.
11. Take a hike
For some fresh air, a smattering of birds and plants and great views, walk one of the trails in the mountains surrounding Montagu, such as the Bloupunt trail (15.6km, 5-9 hours), Cogmanskloof trail (12.1km, 4-6 hours) or the Aasvoëlkrans trail (3.2km, 90min). You need a permit, which you can get from the tourism office. Read more about the hiking trails here if you want to tackle them as self-guided trails. Just remember to take sunscreen, hats and lots of water in summer when it can be brain-meltingly hot.
If you’d prefer to go with a guide to ensure you have an informative and safe experience, book a hike with a local operator like Montagu Outdoor Adventures or Route 62 Mountain Adventures.
12. Pamper yourself with a spa treatment
Visit the Montagu Country Hotel Spa in Bath Street. Choose from a range of face or body treatments, mani-pedi, and Swedish, aromatherapy or hot stone massages. There’s also a sauna and a relaxing jacuzzi that makes use of mineral-rich thermal spring water from deep below ground. Make a booking beforehand.
13. Eat out at one of the Montagu restaurants
There’s an almost negligible fee to enter, which you drop into the slot in the wall of the entryway. Take an energetic walk along one of the paths or relax on a bench and listen to the birds. The garden is open from 8:00 till 17:00 daily. You can enjoy tea and cake between 10:00 and 11:00 on Tuesday mornings between April and October.
11. Take a hike
For some fresh air, a smattering of birds and plants and great views, walk one of the trails in the mountains surrounding Montagu, such as the Bloupunt trail (15.6km, 5-9 hours), Cogmanskloof trail (12.1km, 4-6 hours) or the Aasvoëlkrans trail (3.2km, 90min). You need a permit, which you can get from the tourism office. Read more about the hiking trails here if you want to tackle them as self-guided trails. Just remember to take sunscreen, hats and lots of water in summer when it can be brain-meltingly hot.
If you’d prefer to go with a guide to ensure you have an informative and safe experience, book a hike with a local operator like Montagu Outdoor Adventures or Route 62 Mountain Adventures.
12. Pamper yourself with a spa treatment
Visit the Montagu Country Hotel Spa in Bath Street. Choose from a range of face or body treatments, mani-pedi, and Swedish, aromatherapy or hot stone massages. There’s also a sauna and a relaxing jacuzzi that makes use of mineral-rich thermal spring water from deep below ground. Make a booking beforehand.
13. Eat out at one of the Montagu restaurants
Enjoy a meal or sit on the terrace behind Blu Vines District to sip coffee or taste wine
There’s a bunch of restaurants in Montagu to choose from. They include The Barn on 62 (the best flat whites in town, also a pretty garden and a collection of about a dozen local and imported gins), 22 Church Street (menus change according to what’s freshly available), The Blu Vines District (Truth coffee, fabulous apple crumble, and Mimosa Wines to taste), Die Boord/The Orchard (a relaxing garden at the back), The Rambling Rose (very popular with friendly service though our meals on a busy Sunday were disappointing), and Charlestons at the Montagu Country Hotel (traditional Karoo dishes like bobotie, lamb pie and lamb curry, as well as steaks, venison, and some vegetarian dishes).
Montagu is also within about 25km of a slew of Robertson restaurants and winery eateries to the west, or Greenlands Farm Table on the R60 south of Montagu towards Bonnievale. Read more about our experience at the fabulous Greenlands Farm Table here.
14. Go bird watching
Spend some time in the bird hide at the leiwater dam on the corner of Barry and Bath streets. To be accurate, it’s less of a ‘hide’ than a small open deck overlooking the dam. This is home and breeding ground to nearly 20 bird species like sacred ibis, herons, egrets, weavers and cormorants. Some 50 species have been recorded visiting the dam. Birders will also enjoy time spent at the Montagu Nature Garden (see point 10).
15. Ride a mountain bike trail
Get into the saddle of your mountain bike to explore some of the non-technical or more technical routes in the area – depending on your level of expertise. Whether you’re using your own bike or need to hire one, you can join a ride with Route 62 Mountain Adventures, who know the routes well. You can also hire mountain bikes from Flying Feet. Ask the activity centre at the front of the Montagu Country Hotel for a free map and guide with descriptions of seven of the mtb trails varying from 18km to 53km. It’s put together by Montagu-Ashton Tourism, and describes the trails as ‘from flat and easy for families, to mountain goat heaven for hard-core masochists’.
16. Go rock climbing
Montagu is also within about 25km of a slew of Robertson restaurants and winery eateries to the west, or Greenlands Farm Table on the R60 south of Montagu towards Bonnievale. Read more about our experience at the fabulous Greenlands Farm Table here.
14. Go bird watching
Spend some time in the bird hide at the leiwater dam on the corner of Barry and Bath streets. To be accurate, it’s less of a ‘hide’ than a small open deck overlooking the dam. This is home and breeding ground to nearly 20 bird species like sacred ibis, herons, egrets, weavers and cormorants. Some 50 species have been recorded visiting the dam. Birders will also enjoy time spent at the Montagu Nature Garden (see point 10).
15. Ride a mountain bike trail
Get into the saddle of your mountain bike to explore some of the non-technical or more technical routes in the area – depending on your level of expertise. Whether you’re using your own bike or need to hire one, you can join a ride with Route 62 Mountain Adventures, who know the routes well. You can also hire mountain bikes from Flying Feet. Ask the activity centre at the front of the Montagu Country Hotel for a free map and guide with descriptions of seven of the mtb trails varying from 18km to 53km. It’s put together by Montagu-Ashton Tourism, and describes the trails as ‘from flat and easy for families, to mountain goat heaven for hard-core masochists’.
16. Go rock climbing
Tony of Montagu Outdoor Adventures climbing at Bosch Crag (photo: Patsy Lourens)
For those who get a kick out of rock climbing, the Montagu area is paradise. There are tons of single and multi-pitch sport and traditional routes to explore. The difficulty levels range from easy enough for beginners to routes that will challenge experienced climbers. To make your rock climbing adventure happen, talk to the experts at Montagu Outdoor Adventures or Route 62 Mountain Adventures.
17. Meet Montagu’s ghosts
Want to experience something different and maybe get a shiver down your spine at the same time? Join a ghost tour with Flying Feet to winkle out a few of the town’s characters and spooky stories. Some of the ghosts you meet might give you goosebumps, but most are simply up to a little harmless mischief like turning lights on and off to mess with your head. The tour starts in front of the Montagu Country Hotel at dusk and takes around 90 minutes.
18. Taste olives
17. Meet Montagu’s ghosts
Want to experience something different and maybe get a shiver down your spine at the same time? Join a ghost tour with Flying Feet to winkle out a few of the town’s characters and spooky stories. Some of the ghosts you meet might give you goosebumps, but most are simply up to a little harmless mischief like turning lights on and off to mess with your head. The tour starts in front of the Montagu Country Hotel at dusk and takes around 90 minutes.
18. Taste olives
Taste olives and olive products at Olijvenhof just outside Montagu
At Olijvenhof Olive Farm 17km from Montagu on Route 62 you can learn more about the farm and the olives, try out their extra virgin olive oils, table-olives and pestos. They offer platters and picnics too. It’s open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10:00 till 16:00.
19. Take a tractor ride to the top of a mountain
Kids of all ages (even those over 21!) will enjoy this Montagu tractor ride on a protea farm in the Koo Valley 29km outside town on the R318. Load yourselves into the trailer for a ride to the top of Arangieskop in the Langeberg mountains 1500m above sea level. From there, you can see the Breede and Keisie rivers, as well as look down into the Robertson Valley. Enjoy a glass of muscadel before starting the descent. The trips are scheduled for 10:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but you need to book ahead because they need a minimum of 25 passengers. And of course it all depends on good weather. Groups of 30 or more are welcome to book ahead on any other day except Sunday. They also offer an optional three-course potjiekos lunch on the farm afterwards and you need to prebook this as well.
20. Munch on dried fruit
19. Take a tractor ride to the top of a mountain
Kids of all ages (even those over 21!) will enjoy this Montagu tractor ride on a protea farm in the Koo Valley 29km outside town on the R318. Load yourselves into the trailer for a ride to the top of Arangieskop in the Langeberg mountains 1500m above sea level. From there, you can see the Breede and Keisie rivers, as well as look down into the Robertson Valley. Enjoy a glass of muscadel before starting the descent. The trips are scheduled for 10:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but you need to book ahead because they need a minimum of 25 passengers. And of course it all depends on good weather. Groups of 30 or more are welcome to book ahead on any other day except Sunday. They also offer an optional three-course potjiekos lunch on the farm afterwards and you need to prebook this as well.
20. Munch on dried fruit
Cape Dry's factory shop has a wide range of dried fruit, nuts and seeds
Fruit is one of the mainstays of Montagu’s economy so it’s almost compulsory to enjoy some of it. At the Cape Dry factory shop, prices are lower than you pay at home and the selection much wider. You’ll find everything from dates, raisins and sultanas to dried peaches, apricots, pineapple, cranberries, kiwi fruit, mango and banana (not all of them grown here, of course). They also sell nuts, seeds, caramel popcorn and a selection of jams. There’s a playground outside to keep the kids amused, and a wine shop and bistro next door.
21. Go shopping
Apart from shopping for wine and dried fruit, you can indulge in some retail therapy at other places in Montagu too. You’ll find all the usual shops like supermarkets and pharmacies, where you can get anything you need for your stay. There are also some small gems like Montagu Local in Bath Street, which sells locally made cheese, cold meats, olive products, breads, veggies and herbs, and Fijn Botanicals’ aromatic toiletries and body products that you can buy from the Kogman & Keisie farm’s shop in Kloof Street. It’s also fun to browse an antique shop or bookshop, or visit one of the farm stalls in the area.
22. Stay in South Africa’s only Art Deco hotel
21. Go shopping
Apart from shopping for wine and dried fruit, you can indulge in some retail therapy at other places in Montagu too. You’ll find all the usual shops like supermarkets and pharmacies, where you can get anything you need for your stay. There are also some small gems like Montagu Local in Bath Street, which sells locally made cheese, cold meats, olive products, breads, veggies and herbs, and Fijn Botanicals’ aromatic toiletries and body products that you can buy from the Kogman & Keisie farm’s shop in Kloof Street. It’s also fun to browse an antique shop or bookshop, or visit one of the farm stalls in the area.
22. Stay in South Africa’s only Art Deco hotel
The Art Deco theme of the Montagu Country Hotel carries through from outside to inside
When we were planning our Montagu accommodation, we felt the pull of the Montagu Country Hotel, the only Art Deco hotel in the country. And we loved it. I can promise that you’ll get a four-star experience at three-star rates.
First opened in 1875, the original Victorian hotel burnt down and was replaced by the Art Deco building in the early 1930s. Now privately owned and part of the Cape Country Routes collection of quality hotels and experiences, it’s the only original Art Deco hotel in South Africa.
The muted facade doesn’t foretell the explosion of colour in the gardens behind, the exuberance of the Art Deco wallpapers, paintings and furniture. Explore the reception areas and rooms and you’ll see iconic echoes of the style in the veneered dressers, the chairs, streamlined tables and mirrors, the bold-coloured paintings, the sun ray motifs on wallpaper and door handles.
First opened in 1875, the original Victorian hotel burnt down and was replaced by the Art Deco building in the early 1930s. Now privately owned and part of the Cape Country Routes collection of quality hotels and experiences, it’s the only original Art Deco hotel in South Africa.
The muted facade doesn’t foretell the explosion of colour in the gardens behind, the exuberance of the Art Deco wallpapers, paintings and furniture. Explore the reception areas and rooms and you’ll see iconic echoes of the style in the veneered dressers, the chairs, streamlined tables and mirrors, the bold-coloured paintings, the sun ray motifs on wallpaper and door handles.
Montagu Country Hotel's Lubbe lounge
Stick a feather in your imaginary bandanna and don a virtual low-waisted dress to get into the right mood to appreciate the geometrical patterns, the audacious lines of furniture from a time when good design was applied to mass production. Pretend it’s the Roaring Twenties or Thirties as you enjoy a meal in Charlestons restaurant or a drink in the Feathers and Flatcaps cocktail lounge with its original bar counter from the 1930s. Wander through the art exhibition nearby to see how local artists of today are expressing themselves.
The garden is a blaze of colour in spring
Relax in the lush gardens. When we visited in early October, it was a riot of orange clivias and strelizias, pink Indian hawthorn, and purple pride of Madeira, with roses just beginning to come into their own. A formal herb garden is laid out between one of two swimming pools and a Victorian building in the garden that offers Victorian rooms to complement the Art Deco rooms in the main building.
Our Victorian room with its sash windows and gorgeous pressed ceiling
Each of the hotel’s 29 rooms is individually decorated for individual appeal with items lovingly gathered over many years. We stayed in one of the large Victorian rooms overlooking the garden. Sash windows, a gorgeous pressed ceiling and a Victorian dresser harked back to an earlier era while modern touches like an air conditioner, electric blankets, charging port for phones, and a large corner bath were bang up to date. (There are even charging ports for electric cars in the parking lot.)
There's a strong Art Deco vibe on the upstairs landing
We also had a sneak peek upstairs at the Art Deco touches on the landing and in some of the rooms. A veneered bedhead with an inlaid mirror here, a pair of plush armchairs with bold lines there, a circular display cabinet, an unfussy bright-coloured portrait – it’s like being back in the Jazz Age. If you’re lucky you might stumble across the spirit of Scott Fitzgerald or Jelly Roll Morton in one of the passages.
Our stay here filled me with nostalgia for hotel visits with my parents when I was a child, only this time there was a lot more class and none of the scruffiness. Relish it all safe in the knowledge that the hotel is a member of Fair Trade Tourism, which means that its policies and practices respect both human rights and the environment.
Note that this isn’t a full list of all there is to do in Montagu. Other activities include an alpaca farm, horse riding, a guano cave with a San rock painting, a private model Ferrari collection, a craft brewery, stargazing, golf, and so on. Two websites you’ll find useful for more info are https://www.montagu.org.za/ and https://www.montagu-ashton.info/.
Getting to Montagu
Drive along the N1 from Cape Town towards Worcester, then take the R60 to Robertson (about 160km). Continue along the R60 to Ashton (about 18km) and then turn onto the R62 to Montagu (about 14km).
Best time to visit Montagu
My favourite times to visit Montagu are in spring (September/October) or autumn (April/May) because I prefer to avoid cold winter nights and scorching summer days. Not everyone agrees, of course, and the hot summers are by far the most popular time for tourism in the town.
June and July are the coldest winter months, with temperatures ranging from around 0-5 degrees Celsius at night to 14 degrees at midday (good for visitors who love sharing a glass of wine or hot chocolate around a log fire). Some snow may fall on the high mountains in July and August. Average temperatures in summer are from the high 20s to mid 30s, with some days in January and February tipping over into the 40s.
Montagu doesn’t get loads of rain; it is, after all, part of the Klein Karoo. Rain falls mainly in May to August, with June being the wettest month. The driest months are from November to March, making these months popular with hikers and adventure sport enthusiasts.
When pushed for an opinion on the best month to visit Montagu, a local in the tourism business picked April (the start of autumn) because average temperatures hover around 25 degrees Celsius, there’s little wind, and it’s just after the busy summer season so a little more peaceful.
Places to visit and things to do near Montagu
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Our stay here filled me with nostalgia for hotel visits with my parents when I was a child, only this time there was a lot more class and none of the scruffiness. Relish it all safe in the knowledge that the hotel is a member of Fair Trade Tourism, which means that its policies and practices respect both human rights and the environment.
Note that this isn’t a full list of all there is to do in Montagu. Other activities include an alpaca farm, horse riding, a guano cave with a San rock painting, a private model Ferrari collection, a craft brewery, stargazing, golf, and so on. Two websites you’ll find useful for more info are https://www.montagu.org.za/ and https://www.montagu-ashton.info/.
Getting to Montagu
Drive along the N1 from Cape Town towards Worcester, then take the R60 to Robertson (about 160km). Continue along the R60 to Ashton (about 18km) and then turn onto the R62 to Montagu (about 14km).
Best time to visit Montagu
My favourite times to visit Montagu are in spring (September/October) or autumn (April/May) because I prefer to avoid cold winter nights and scorching summer days. Not everyone agrees, of course, and the hot summers are by far the most popular time for tourism in the town.
June and July are the coldest winter months, with temperatures ranging from around 0-5 degrees Celsius at night to 14 degrees at midday (good for visitors who love sharing a glass of wine or hot chocolate around a log fire). Some snow may fall on the high mountains in July and August. Average temperatures in summer are from the high 20s to mid 30s, with some days in January and February tipping over into the 40s.
Montagu doesn’t get loads of rain; it is, after all, part of the Klein Karoo. Rain falls mainly in May to August, with June being the wettest month. The driest months are from November to March, making these months popular with hikers and adventure sport enthusiasts.
When pushed for an opinion on the best month to visit Montagu, a local in the tourism business picked April (the start of autumn) because average temperatures hover around 25 degrees Celsius, there’s little wind, and it’s just after the busy summer season so a little more peaceful.
Places to visit and things to do near Montagu
- McGregor (50km south-west of Montagu)
- Swellendam (55km south-east of Montagu)
- Barrydale (62km south-east of Montagu along Route 62)
- Suurbraak and Tradouw Pass (84km south-east of Montagu)
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