Accommodation in Clarens - Madrid Farm Cottages, Clarens, Free State

Madrid Farm Cottages Self Catering Accommodation    Clarens, Free State, South Africa

Enjoy peace and quiet on this beautiful mountain farm which has been in the family since 1872. Between Clarens and Golden Gate, we offer three private cottages in the extensive garden of the homestead where you can enjoy a view of the exquisite and everchanging Rooiberge, a photogtapher's dream. "Madrid" is 12k from Golden Gate and 9k from Clarens on the tar and 3 k on a dirt road. The present owner and his son farm together, each with his own speciality. The son has just begun an indigenous nursery as a sideline and both are passionate about conservation. There is a thriving conservancy which has been in existence for nearly twenty years and covers several farms.

Accommodation & Facilities
The two larger cottages, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms are built in stone, quarried on the farm in bygone days when time was not a factor. Both have private patios with braai facilites and open-plan living areas with fully eqipped kitchens and open fireplaces. These cottages are called Sunrise and Sunshine and sleep four each. Sunrise has two extra pull-out beds for children or small adults, so can take six. The bathrooms have either a bath or a shower in each one so each cottage offers the options.

The one-bedroom cottage, called Sunset, is brick and has its own private garden and outdoor sitting area under an old Japanese Cherry tree, as well as a stoep with braai. The living area has the same facilities as the other two. This bathroom has a bath and a heater. The bedroom has a view over the garden towards the mountains.

All the cottages have heaters, electric blankets and fans and are serviced daily. Wood for the fireplaces is provided daily. Bedding and towels are provided as well as kitchen towels, dishwashing liquid and scourer. The bathrooms are provided with soap, bubble bath, shampoo and handcream.

Outdoor Facilities
These cottages are situated on a farm covering 1100 hectares, stretching up into the mountains, so there is endless space to hike or just to stroll. Birdwatchers can enjoy a large variety of birds, mentioned in the well-known bird books. New species are being spotted on a regular basis as they flee the cities and the deforestated parts. We also enjoy several buck species, including eland, which have come from Golden Gate. Mountain rhebuck and blesbok have populated these farms for decades.

Hikers can enjoy the laid-out trails, the vulture restaurant, and the amazing scenery at Golden Gate, 12k up the road. Our guests have the privelege of being offered the facilites of the adjoining guest farm, which include a swimming pool and two floodlit tennis courts. These are within strolling distance, just down our drive and up theirs. Clarens, with its art galleries and restaurants offer a different sort of entertainment for those who do not enjoy the outdoor activities but prefer to shop.

Sporting & Leisure Activities  
Hiking, climbing, golf, quadbikes, fishing, tennis,archery,painting courses,horse-riding, mountain biking, bowls,etc.

Cultural & Historical interest   
This valley forms part of the Conquered territory taken from Basutoland as punishment after the Basuto Wars ending in 1866. The Free Sate Government marked out three rows of farms to be populated by men who had helped during the wars. This was to be a bulwark against the cattle thieving from Basutoland, to protect the Free State Republic. The original owner, George Bennet Mousley was one of these fortunate men and his descendants are among the few who still own their farms. Others have sold and owners have come and gone as circumstances have changed. Clarens, the village was established in 1912 and has as always been a sleepy little village, until recently when it was discovered.