IRENE FARM, CENTURION

Tired of city living? If you’re in Gauteng, head to this historic dairy farm for a little rural relaxation. Watch the cows being milked in the afternoons between 3 – 4 pm or just zone out for a while as chickens scratch around in the dust and Egyptian geese paddle on the farm dams. The Deck restaurant is next to the deli – we can recommend a hamburger (R85) or a chicken frikkadel with zucchini and feta (R70). The other restaurant on the property is called The Barn and it’s an open-air affair where you can tuck into a braai buffet on Saturdays (R150 per person) or a chef’s carvery on Sundays (R160 per person). (During our visit, The Barn and adjacent conference facilities were closed for renovations. If all goes according to plan, the renovations will be done by June. In the meantime, there’s a pop-up restaurant in a tent.) While you wait for your meal, the kids can play on the lawn with its jungle gym, jumping castle and old tractors. Both restaurants have delicious dessert options, but rather head to the deli if you’re after something sweet – they have everything from Bar One ice cream to lamingtons, along with goodies like beetroot salt, syrup with roasted nuts, stoneground flour and fresh milk (R52 for 5 litres). Niggles? It’s a farm – you might catch a whiff of cow dung every now and again. Opening times: The deli is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm; The Deck daily from 8 am to 5.30 pm; The Barn daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Where? Nellmapius Drive (M31), near the Centurion golf estate. Contact: 012 667 4822; irenefarm.co.za