Stellenberg Gardens

About Stellenberg Gardens

Stellenberg Gardens lie on Oak Avenue in Kenilworth in the grounds of a beautiful, old estate. It rests surrounded by old walls, ancient oak trees, towering poplars; a series of gardens designed and implemented by Sandy Ovenstone, the current owner of the estate, with the help of several well known garden designers.

Open only once a year to the public in November, or by appointment with the nursery, the extensive and incredibly beautiful gardens are as remarkable as they are acclaimed. It's one of two well known Cape Town gardens overseas, the other being Kirstenbosch, after featuring in the BBC television series, Around the World in 80 Gardens.

There are about sixteen parts to the gardens, each with its own character and name - the vegetable garden, herb garden, garden entrance, shady walkway etc. - and in amongst these are a serious of garden statues and modern sculptures.

The homestead is a U-shaped, Cape Dutch manor house that has served over time as a farm dwelling, country retreat, family home and heritage site.

It is also the last example of its kind in the central southern suburbs of Cape Town. There is some fine bas-relief, a glazed screen attributed to the sculptor Anton Anreith, and the hand of the architect Louis Michel Thibault is thought to have played a part in the proportions of the façade of the house and the front gable.

A highlight of any visit is Stellenberg's nursery, developed to propagate plants for use in the gardens but it also to sell to visitors.

Stellenberg accepts organised tours and visits be appointment between September and April. Garden tours are arranged by the nursery.