This neat home, currently operating as a delightful guesthouse, is full of historic (not heritage) charm and superbly situated with spectacular views over the remarkably biodiverse Knysna Estuary (fondly known by locals as the lagoon) and through the famed Knysna Heads.
The property consists of a three-bedroom homestead, a three-bedroom annex, two cottages (with space for kitchenettes), and an outside room, all with en-suite bathrooms. It is conveniently located within walking distance of Knysna town centre, Knysna’s waterfront tourist mecca, and good primary and secondary schools.
The homestead can be configured in multiple ways to suit a family and/or guesthouse, such as:
A three-bedroom homestead plus five income-producing rooms, or
A home with two separate cottages (with space for kitchenettes for extended family) plus three income-producing rooms, or
An owner’s/manager’s quarters plus seven income-producing rooms.
This property is presently run as a delightful, well-maintained historical guesthouse (no heritage restrictions). Furnishings are available separately for sale. Because of its layout, it can easily be adapted to a family home with many income-producing possibilities.
Set in peaceful, lush, and fully grown gardens, you would never think the centre of town is only a stone’s throw away. It will also be the closest guesthouse to the new Milkwood Square with its top-specification Checkers FreshX supermarket as its anchor tenant coming to Knysna.
The well-sized sparkling pool, tucked away, offers privacy. There is ample parking with a spacious driveway for turning around on level ground inside the gated property—no steep driveway typical of many guesthouses to contest.
Built by the first postmaster of Knysna, the historic homestead reflects that heritage in its traditional entrance and hallway, opening to the multi-table dining room that leads through the covered patio to the deck with tables and spectacular views southwards to the Heads. On either side of the dining room are the lounge with a games room alcove and a pub with a built-in braai for entertaining guests and family. The kitchen is across the passage, and down the hall are bedrooms that open to the north-facing courtyard (sheltered from the wind and sunny in winter).
Oregon pine floors give a rich, homely feel to the spacious lounge with a games room alcove, whose working fireplace warms the area if needed. The spacious dining room can seat 12 across multiple tables. Both the dining room and pub open to the expansive outside deck, where you can enjoy spectacular views overlooking the lagoon from breakfast through lunch to evening drinks. Importantly, there is enough cover for guests to be amused should rain restrict their participation in Knysna’s many activities.
The farm-style kitchen has tile flooring for easy cleaning, space for a centre table, a gas hob, an eye-level double oven, three fridges, and all necessary appliances, with the scullery tucked away out of sight of guests and the laundry room outside.
The master bedroom, also with Oregon pine flooring, has a fireplace, a full en-suite bathroom, a walk-in closet with a safe, a study alcove for admin, and its own private deck overlooking the lagoon. The other two bedrooms and two bathrooms in the homestead part of the property open to the sheltered courtyard, as does the kitchen.
The two spacious cottages have separate entrances—one leading off the courtyard and the other with its own grapevine-covered verandah. Each of the three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms in the outside annex opens onto its own walled private verandah with views over the lagoon and Heads, ensuring complete privacy for guests.
The parking area accommodates up to eight cars inside the property (five under shade cloth).
Encroachment rights given by the municipality extend the parking to the pavement for larger tour shuttle buses, with the olive orchard and Guinea Fowl Lodge signage completing the perfect picture.
