The secret charm of Cheverells Farm

Fresh food, self-catering cottages + apple picking

Everything about Cheverells Farm is undeniably wholesome. Its main attraction, the light-soaked country café whose tables look out onto the rolling greenery of the apple orchards, has a view as crisp as the apples grown on almost every inch of the working farm (there’s guided apple picking). Behind the café sits two country cottages with creeping vines, French green shutters and a rustic stoep.

The view alone is a reason to visit. Image: Cheverells Farm

LUNCH IN A RESTORED APPLE SHED 

There are two secrets to Cheverells Farm’s charm, we think: The location, in the cool-climate, basin-like Elgin Valley, and Catherine Boome, whose restoration of an old apple shed built in the 1960s has unveiled an exquisite space. 

Called Cheverells Farm Shed, the café has high windows, ceilings with rustic hanging basket lights and a feature wall made from old produce crates from local farms. Warm and welcoming, even on a cold day, it’s simultaneously open and intimate, with enough standing space and seating for every kind of gathering.

Admire the view with coffee in hand. Image: Cheverells Farm

A DESTINATION WITH GREAT FOOD

As impressive as the Shed and its grand wooden doors are, it’s the food that makes Cheverells Farm Shed a necessary stop for lunch and breakfast (and what keeps the neighbouring farming families coming back). 

Catherine, who worked full-time as a registered dietitian before moving to her husband’s family farm, is interested in quality over grandstanding, which you pick up in the flavour-packed small menu she designed with a chef (with fair prices). 

“We’re not a foodie destination. We have an experience with great food,” says Catherine. With a farm-to-fork approach, she tends a small veggie garden of spinach, tomato, beans, basil, peaches, edible flowers and more, which is used in the cafe. 

Founder Catherine Boome is dedicated to delicious food that is also good for you. Image: Tascha Seccombe 

EAT A FRESH WHOLESOME MEAL 

It’s not a highfalutin menu, but the food itself is a visual wonder. You can smell, see and taste all the ingredients, like the bowl of salmon trout, avocado, baby spinach, mange tout, edamame beans, steamed sushi rice, carrot ribbons, pickled ginger and Cheverell's miso drizzle. 

The French toast on the kids’ breakfast menu is not just everything sugary; the cream is light and frothy and comes topped with a new delicately ripe fruit every morning. 

Fittingly, the apple makes a tasteful appearance on the menu. You can try Cheverells key produce in the homemade apple and sage sausages of the Cheverells Full Shed breakfast, apple date truffles that come with the coffee, and the fresh apple, ginger and mint juice. 

The apple and blackberry crumble is served with pistachio and crème fraîche. Image: Cheverells Farm

STAY IN A QUAINT FARM COTTAGE 

Just an hour from Cape Town, and on your way to the Overberg, Cheverells Farm makes for the perfect stop (it could be a new alternative to Peregrine Farm Stall) or a weekend getaway (even a working one, as there’s a generator and WiFi). 

The two self-catering cottages with French shutters overlooking the orchard and hills in the distance are named after two apple varieties, namely Kiku, one of the sweetest apples; and Braeburn, the old-fashioned bicolour apple.

With the french green shutters and crawling ivy, the cottages are irresistibly charming.  Image: Tascha Seccombe

Each cottage has its own private garden, and the stoeps are the base from which to drink a glass of wine, read a book or simply watch the rain. 

Studio-style, the cottages are kitted to be cosy for all seasons. The kitchens have everything you could need (even herbs and a coffee machine), the beds are covered in 400-thread count linen, and the lounge dining areas have fireplaces.

The decor is tasteful with tones of green and floral pastels. Credit: Cheverells Farm 

PICK YOUR OWN APPLES 

Cheverells holds apple-picking events seasonally. It’s a guided tour: A morning spent exploring the orchards, learning about the various varieties grown there and picking your own apples. The tour comes with a freshly squeezed apple juice and a tote bag for apple picking. 

Picking apples is surprisingly easy. It’s great to do with kids as no sharp shears or tools are involved (you simply twist the stem off of the branch and it falls off easily). At R120 per adult and R30 per child, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to spend a morning outdoors. 

Spend the morning exploring picturesque orchards in the Elgin Valley. Image: Tascha Seccombe 

LEARN SOMETHING NEW 

There are also an array of special events hosted by Cheverells Farm, where you can pick up a new hobby or learn a skill. There are workshops for activities like watercolour painting, jewellery making, gardening and floral arrangements. 

Their private food-and wine pairing evenings are very popular, where a gourmet chef designs a menu to pair with a selection of wine from one of the local wine estates. The chef introduces the carefully-curated menu and the winemakers entertain the guests by talking about the story of their wines. These are wonderful events that celebrate the pairing of gourmet food with excellent wines.

There are also weekly yoga classes in the brightly lit yoga studio atop the shed (and they’ve recently started hosting yoga retreats). 

See upcoming events at Cheverells Farm.

Pick up a new hobby or sharpen your skills at Cheverells Farm. Image: Sasha West

SUPPORT LOCAL + ECO-FRIENDLY  

Cheverells Farm can be your pocket of peace or your site for things to do on a day tour, depending on what you fancy. 

During your visit, make sure to mosey around the shop inside The Farm Shed: It’s entirely filled with products made by small South African and African businesses. It has everything from cooking and gardening books, art, hand-poured candles, reed diffusers, oils, herbs and spices, and even gin made in the Elgin Valley. Cheverells’ homemade rusks and cinnamon granola are particularly popular: We suggest picking up a bag or two. 

Buy a local trinket and bring home some of the peace with you.

There are almost too many products to mention: Stationery, pillows, stickers, children’s books, greeting cards… Image: Tascha Seccombe 

VISIT CHEVERELLS FARM

The Farm Shed is open: Wednesday to Sunday, 8am - 3pm
Find it: 55 Highlands Rd | Elgin Valley (a 5 minute drive from Peregrine Farm Stall) 
Contact details: cheverellsfarm@gmail.com, 060 861 1044, @cheverellsfarm
See upcoming events: Via the website

By Julia Rowley 

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