The Bend Country House & Nature Estate has a history dating back to the early 19th century. Situated in a private nature reserve in the heart of the Midlands Meander, The Bend Country House offers an exquisite blend of accommodation in colonial tradition, with log fires, gracious style and sumptuous cuisine.
The Bend was first developed by the Doney family in 1876. They made their home in a cluster of wattle and daub rondavels directly across the river from the present house. The remains of these buildings can still be found together with what appear to be the graves of children, a poignant reminder of the hardships these early settlers endured.
In 1926 financier Montague Simpson bought The Bend and initiated a programme of grand design – all the stone outbuildings and the complicated system of drainage were the result of his energies and vision.
Simpson’s prize Ayrshire cattle and Landrace pigs were so highly regarded by him that the pig sties had Oregon pine cottage-pane windows. His cattle were probably the only cows in South Africa to be subjected to “orthodontics” – Montague required that their horns conform exactly to the breed specifications and the rings that were used to shape the horns during feeding can still be seen in the area behind the chapel. His animals were regularly paraded around the pond at the front of the house before admiring guests.
Montague relinquished ownership in 1956 and for 27 years the pace of life reflected that of serious commercial dairymen and sheep farmers. Then in 1983 an enthusiastic young couple, Jose and Sheila Holgado, took over. Together they designed their ideal home and set about making it a reality. The Holgados also turned The Bend into one of the most productive farms in the area. By 1996 the children had grown up, Jose had returned to Spain, and The Bend Country House opened to the public.
The stone reception room, with an elevated deck overlooking the river lands, has an elegantly draped ceiling, as well as timber rafters and wrought-iron chandeliers, and seats up to 150 guests. Adjoining the reception room is a charming stone chapel with stained-glass doors. The Bend is a popular choice for the exchange of wedding vows against a beautiful backdrop of trees and mountainside.
The hotel dining room, decorated with Persian carpets and antiques, and with a roaring fireplace, is made for wintry evenings. The magnificent staircase in the main house, built with timber from a World War I officers’ mess, as well as the wood panelling, ceilings, furniture and decorative pieces, recall a more gracious age and are an integral part of the atmosphere of The Bend.
The 1 400ha estate and the views beyond boast striking natural beauty, indigenous forests, towering mountain tops and 5km of the meandering Mooi River. Photographic opportunities abound and include the river, slave bell, the old farm buildings, mature gardens and paddocks.
l Before you book your stay, visit www.thebend.co.za or call 033 266 6441. - Sunday Tribune