On our recent weekend to Mardouw Country House near Swellendam we also found ourselves spending quite a bit of time at the neighbouring property, Jan Harmsgat.
A beautiful estate with a rich history, Jan Harmsgat Country House is located on the R60 highway, just off the N2. A haven of historic charm, the property boasts a 5-Star guest house, a fine-dining restaurant and an on-site spa.
During our weekend we were accommodated at Mardouw, but we were equally able to spend time enjoying the picturesque Jan Harmsgat. We had most of our meals at the restaurant, enjoyed a farm tour on the back of a 4×4 vehicle, sampled the estates wine and Mardouw’s olive oils in a tasting and indulged in spa treatments at the gorgeous OENA spa space.
Our first outing at Jan Harmsgat was a tour of the working parts of the farm. We were collected for our farm 4×4 at our door at Mardouw and hopped on the back to enjoy a visit to the pomegranate orchards that Jan Harmsgat is most well known for being one of the top pomegranate exporters in South Africa.
The 680-hectare working farm also is home to hand-picked cultivars that make up the single-block JHG Wines. On our return to the estate’s historical hub we enjoyed sampling these with a wine tasting under the shade of a grove of pecan nut trees! Bliss on a hot summer’s day!
The tranquil country setting that surrounds all of Jan Harmsgat offers the opportunity to take things slowly and we really enjoyed the fact that we didn’t have to venture far all weekend – enjoying all our delicious meals in the relaxed, yet upmarket Just Amy’s restaurant.
We enjoyed breakfast and lunch on the terrace and dinner in the cosy dining room space that has an authentic country ambience reminiscent of its’ rich history.
All our meals were incredible and the service world-class. This little gem of a country restaurant is definitely worth a visit even if you’re passing through the area or staying nearby!
The estate offers beautiful outdoor spaces allowing guests to spread out and enjoy nature. There’s a gorgeous pool with luxe loungers to relax on, abundant walking, hiking and biking trails as well as the cutest little pomegranate “pod” – perfect for a lazy afternoon of reading!
A highlight of our time at Jan Harmsgat was our visit to the on-site spa located in one of the historical staff cottages on the estate. Beautifully renovated, the spa opened in late 2020 and has already become popular with locals and visitors alike.
The space is serene with splashes of soothing green to calm the soul and a gently atmosphere. Our therapist treated us each to 30mins of magic with a back, neck and shoulder massage that certainly felt longer than half an hour!
Visitors to the Oena spa at Jan Harmsgat can book individual treatments or day packages that include lunch at Just Amy’s as well as access to the pool and the opportunity to linger longer on the estate.
Our time at Jan Harmsgat was brief, yet beautiful – and we certainly left with a desire to return soon…
Contact Details
Bookings for Jan Harmsgat are made through Oena Escapes
Tel: +27 87 012 5356Email: reservations@oena.co.za
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