Greyton Accommodation

The Greyton area, in South Africa, was first occupied way back by a tribe of Khoi, known as the Hessequas who traded cattle with the Dutch East India Company for their ships en route to the East. In 1738, Genadendal, the first mission station in South Africa was established by Moravians to the West of the valley. In 1791, the area was given as a loan farm to a young Dutch farmer, Marthinus Theunissen who called it Weltevreden (well satisfied). He built a house, but lived in it for only a few years before selling the farm to Hendrik Cloete who was also owner of the famous Groot Constantia Estate near Cape Town. He was a successful horse breeder who used Weltevreden for this purpose as well as farming fruit, grapes for wine, vegetables and cattle.

In 1846 the farm was purchased by Herbert Vigne, a sophisticated and well educated young gentleman from London, who was related by marriage to Lady Anne Barnard and Sir George Grey, Governor of the Cape in those years. Vigne subdivided his farm in 1854 into 120 plots surrounding a large farm home he kept for himself. He called the new town Greyton, South Africa, after Sir George Grey. It was the first in South Africa where people of all races, colours, religions, political affiliations or language groups could own homes and live side by side in harmony. Descendants of the original settlers still live in the town to this day. The town was proclaimed a Municipality in 1910. 90 years later, this autonomy was lost as Greyton was incorporated into the larger Theewaterskloof Municipality. In 2013, the town of Greyton South Africa is 158 years old since its founding year.

Only 90 minutes (130 Km) scenic drive Eastbound from Cape Town, visitors are coming to Greyton in its cradle of majestic mountains, after passing along the rolling wheatfields of the Overberg. They are enchanted with its true country atmosphere and fall instantly under the village's spell. The reward is to share Greyton lifestyle in a friendly and relaxed experience.

One of the main attractions in Greyton is the Saturday Market at the Market Square. It is here where you meet the local people and the local artists of the village. It is also here where you buy local art and local products such as baked goods, crafts, fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, books, shrubs and trees and many more. After Saturday Market the visitor will delight in the many walks in and around the village. The surrounding nature reserve with its water streams, birdlife and aromatic fynbos will most definitely take your mind off anything that bothered you while travelling to Greyton. In winter, especially when it snows on these surrounding mountains, a fireplace burning with a glass of red wine will keep you company.

The village has become a popular weekend retreat and tourist destination. It takes 1hr40 minutes from Cape Town to enter the most tranquil village in the whole of South Africa. The many accommodation establishments, Greyton Bed and Breakfast venues, Guest Houses, Self Catering units, Greyton accommodation cottages, restaurants and coffee shops in town, all cater for the traveler to Greyton. Once in Greyton there is plenty to do. Walking, horse riding, mountain bike trails, river canoeing, tennis, swimming and fishing in the Sonderend or Gobos Rivers. The serious hikers enjoy the 17km challenging hiking trail through Boesmanskloof to McGregor. Spectacular gorges, waterfalls and Fynbos await you on this trail. Please click here for more information about Greyton.