Plan your trip
GETTING THERE
Take the N1 from Cape Town to Worcester via the Huguenot Tunnel (toll is R38), and head to Robertson on the R60 (50km). Turn right at the first four-way stop and drive until you cross a bridge (20km). Keep left and follow the road into McGregor.
STAY HERE
Rose House is an old Georgian home with a contemporary feel. It has four bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen plus braai area, a stoep for lazy days and a pool. From R1 250 (sleeps eight). 072-307-7399 Tigh-na-Breagha is a twobedroom house with spacious, comfy living areas. Sun bathes the veranda and enchanting garden in the mornings. Guests can order in picnic baskets (from R120) and home-cooked meals (from R65 per portion). From R625 pp sharing (sleeps four). 072-307-7399
Green Gables Country Inn has buildings dating from 1862, including a watermill. On Friday evenings the restaurant serves a meal with a complimentary glass of wine for R100. There’s a pool and pub on site. R550 pp sharing B&B. 023-625-1626, greengablesmcgregor.co.za
DO THIS
Taste the local produce. Wine tastings at Bemind Wyne are R30 pp (free if you buy a bottle). 083-380-1648. Tanagra Private Cellar does wine, grappa and eau de vie tastings for R20 pp. 023-625-1780. Rhebokskraal offers olive tours, including tastings and a platter, from R350 pp. 082-658-2370
Go to a show. Wahnfried is a house-turned-theatre for film screenings and music. Email wahnfried27@gmail.com for a programme of events. Admire the art. Edna Fourie Fine Art Gallery has works for sale as well as a permanent collection. The garden is just as interesting, filled with art installations. 083-302-5538. La Galleria on Bree Street displays photos and fine-art prints by Dani, whose work captures the beauty of the surroundings. 076-264-1417 Explore the countryside. Dogs on leads are welcome at Krans Nature Reserve, accessible from Church, Van Reenen and Smith streets. The vegetation transitions between mountain fynbos and succulent Karoo, and you may spot fish eagles and blue cranes. There are six different trails, including the walk beside McGregor’s leiwater dam. Time it right and catch a gorgeous sunset. 023-625-1954. Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve (5km outside the village) has two bird hides on the Heron Trail (one is wheelchair-friendly). It also has a Braille Trail, an 8km MTB track and picnic sites. Permits are R40 for adults, R20 for kids. 082-496-2448
Do a quirky tour. Awie Page, who has built many houses in McGregor, offers 40-minute historical tours on the ‘Noddy Bus’, a wooden bakkie he made. R35 pp for four or more people. 076-663-4494
Visit the donkeys at Eseltjiesrus (5km out of town). Free entry. It also has a curio shop, bookshop and restaurant that serves a delicious, filling vegetarian breakfast (R45). 023-625-1593
Play a game of boules (free, and boules are supplied) at How Bazaar, which also sells gifts and decor and has an art gallery and cafe. Don’t miss the cheesecake! R28 a slice. 023-625-1876
Browse the market on Saturday morning, opposite the NG Church. It often sells out in under an hour, so get there by 9am to snap up fresh veggies or home-baked goods, including homemade dog biscuits. 023-625-1954
EAT HERE
Tebaldi’s at Temenos is good for breakfast. It has muffins, croissants and great coffee. The traditional plate of eggs, bacon, bangers, rösti and toast costs R85. For lunch, the vegetarian tapas (olives, gherkins, humus, tzatziki, ciabatta) is R95. 023-625-1115 La Pizza Pazza uses doublezero flour for light, velvety pizza bases. You can add your own toppings (from R10), such as artichoke or truffle oil. Most ingredients (olives, goat’s cheese, charcuterie) are locally sourced. There’s also flammkuchen, German-style pizza, for R85. Pastas from R105. 081-856-7410 McGregor Ice Saturday Afternoon Food Market serves global cuisine. There are three main meals on offer, priced between R50 and R100. Open from 12.30pm. See Facebook for the menu.