Just over an hour away from Cape Town, the apple farming district of Elgin is enjoying a month of spring celebrations with the Apple Blossom Festival.
Aside from the beauty of the green landscape covered in white seas of apple blossom, the area is warming up to summer with long lazy days of picnicking, wine-tasting, live music, honey infused menus, fynbos walks, child-friendly experiences, blossom trail runs and more.
Largely, and lovingly, owner-managed, Elgin’s farms, restaurants and accommodation establishments will open their doors to welcome visitors to share in the fun and prettiness of October in the Valley.
A visit to the Apple Blossom Festival can be a day trip or an extended stay with some great weekday specials on offer. Check in with #blossomwatch and #Elginblossoms to track the best places to spot the blooms then drive the farm roads to see it in all its splendour. Stop in at all the Festival venues to experience the Elgin magic and snap some springtime memories along the way.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Participating venues have pulled out all the stops to create a gentle, rustic, rural experience for visitors. The idea is to take it slow and enjoy!
- HARVEST YOUR OWN VEGGIES AND ENJOY ORCHARD PICNICS
Visit Terra Madre and harvest your own vegetables, then stay for a lunch or a generous picnic filled with gourmet goodies to enjoy right next to the orchards. Friday and Saturday only. Buy your Bee Box of bee-friendly plant seeds right here! Booking is essential.
Terra Madre is on Viljoenshoop Road T 082 328 1346
- CHOCOLATE, WINE, PICNICS AND A GREAT ACCOMMODATION DEAL
Pair handmade chocolate with premium Elgin wine at Paul Wallace Wines. Book ahead to picnic alongside the picture-perfect dam (wine from Paul Wallace only please). Picnics can be ordered from Terra Madre, or bring your own. A R30 fee for use of the picnic spot as well as R30 for fishing (catch and release only) will be donated to The Bee Effect. Grab this opportunity to book their 20% Sunday to Thursday rates for accommodation, only in October.
Paul Wallace Wines is on Highlands Road T 021 848 9744
- HONEY GOES GOURMET
Elgin’s gourmet farm-to-fork restaurant The Pool Room, is celebrating all things honey, with honey-infused desserts carrying a R5 donation to the Bee Effect. Visit their deli for all sorts of honey delights (R10 per item will be donated to the Bee Effect) and buy Bee Boxes filled with bee-friendly plant seeds. Booking essential, especially on weekends.
The Pool Room is on Oak Valley Estate T 021 859 4111
- A BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT AND ACCOMMODATION DEAL
Galileo Farm will be putting on some live music from noon till 3pm on 28 October at their gorgeous rustic farm venue The Shed. The Rivertones Reggae band will be setting the mood for this family-friendly to which you can bring your own picnic or buy from the food vendors who will be selling there. Be sure to bring your own alchoholic beverages (ice and ice buckets provided) as only cooldrinks will be on sale. Entry R150 per head, no charge for children under 8. Booking essential. Why not make Galileo your holiday destination too – their three nights for the price of two deal (October only) is too good to ignore.
Galileo Farm is on Highlands Road T 021 8498692
- FLY WITH THE BEES
Cape Canopy Tour will be flying with the bees. Purchase your Bee Box of bee-friendly seeds after you experience a flight of your own!
Book here or call T 021 3000501
- ART, BEES AND BLOSSOMS
Almenkerk Wine Estate is hosting an art exhibition called Buzzted that features artworks relating to bees. Walk this indoor-outdoor pop-up exhibition and taste wine in their breathtaking contemporary tasting room. Pre-order a picnic from Terra Madre (but please wine from Almenkerk only) or bring your own (they provide crockery and cutlery) and enjoy the gardens and view for R30 (donated to the bees). Kids play area too!
Almenkerk is on Viljoenshoop Road T 021 848 9844
- BBQ WITH THE BEES AND GET SILLY
The Hickory Shack is having a Pimp Your Beard stand. Dress up your own beard or select a fake one and pimp it up with springtime decorations for a #Blossomwatch selfie-snap. Donate R30 to The Bee Effect, please! Your snap may win a platter for you and a group of friends. After your BBQ feasting, walk into the orchards and see the prettiness. The Smokehouse Blowout happens every Saturday night when 1kg of BBQ ribs is just R150.
The Hickory Shack is on the N2 or call 021 300 1396
- WALK WITH THE BIRDS AND BEES
Walk into the wilds with The Green Mountain Trail as an expert guide takes you on an 8km walk into the Groenland Conservancy to spot the signs of spring. The experience includes a snack pack, wine tasting, walking stick, all the necessary insurance and a fabulous (well-deserved) lunch. The cost is R685 per person with R30 going to The Bee Effect. Booking is essential, walks happen by appointment only and only in October. Why not book to stay over at the luxurious Wildekrans Country House too.
Contact Green Mountain Trail or call T 028 284 9827
- BLOSSOM RUNS, BIKES AND A GREAT ACCOMMODATION DEAL
Guests of Africa’s first bike hotel Trail’s End can always expect a willing tribe of bikers and hikers. On the 15 October you can also join in on the fun at the Aquelle Apple Blossom race. Although the race is full, guests can grab 15% off accommodation on 14 October and soak up the post-race vibes. Keen for a longer stay? Get great 20% off deals on accommodation from Sunday-Thursday (October only). Family rooms available. Be sure to book your bikes (of all sizes) ahead of time!
Contact Trails End or call T 021 859 5193
- FUN FOR BUSY BEES, LONG LAZY DAYS FOR PARENTS
South Hill is celebrating the blossoms with a cellar art exhibition, part of an ongoing series of art on barrels. Taste South Hill wines with a honey-infused pairing and taste your way through honey-inspired menu items this October. Children will make a bee-line for the Busy Bee activity corner where fun, knowledge-building activities will be taking place whilst their parents unwind in the restaurant. Make a booking today.
South Hills on the Valley Road or call T 021 844 0888
- PICNICS IN PARADISE AND BUSY BEE WALKS
Head for the mind-blowing Lothian House & Wine Estate with the whole family. The kids will keep busy in our Bee & Blossom kiddies corner, packed with colouring-in kit, face-painting & dress up packs, while you enjoy our delicious Country Tapas & Lothian Wine Pairing platters at R165pp (you will need to book 24 hours in advance). Followed by honey hive estate walks (blossoms, proteas & fynbos in full bloom). We’ll also have our Lothian honey, bee food & bee friendly plants for sale. Visits by appointment only.
Lothian Vineyards is on Rockviewdam Rd. T 021 859 9901
- FULL DAYS OF PLAY, PLENTY TO EAT
Visit Old Mac Daddy’s Barn Restaurant for spring-inspired delights (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and spectacular views and then book to linger on this fabulous farm and play with zorbs, stand-up paddles, archery and more. Their eclectic range of accommodation options in a beautiful part of the Valley will make it a real relax.
Old Mac Daddy is on the Valley Road T 021 844 0241
It’s all about the bees
The Apple Blossom Festival is partnering with The Bee Effect to raise awareness for the bees. The Bee Effect has created a Bee Bank to fund the cultivation of plants that bees need for a diverse diet of foods that help them resist disease. Apple Blossom Activities carry a bee tax which will be donated to The Bee Effect but also look out for Bee Food Packs which carry a donation to The Bee Effect. These packs contain Spring-planting seeds for plants ideal for bees. For more info visit
Other Apple Blossom Festival events
The Apple Blossom Festival also falls over a busy event period for the area with the Apple Blossom Race (MTN bike race) on the 15 October, and both Elgin Open Gardens and the Wines2Whales Race/Adventure on the last weekend of October (28 & 29) and first weekend of November (4&5).
INFO:The Apple Blossom Festival is a project of Elgin Valley – a marketing and tourism association. Please visit for more info. For Apple Blossom specific information, please visit T 060 609 0802
See also Cape Town Green Map
