Looking for a fabulous place to enjoy coffee or to find out some fascinating history about South Africa?
Take the road to Pretoria.
Over the years my sister has often mentioned having visited or being at Irene Farm
I was finally able to visit this much talked about working dairy farm on a day trip to Pretoria.
Irene is a village within the area of Centurion and lies between the R21 and N1 highways. Irene gets its name from Hugo Nellmapius, who named his farm ‘Irene Estate’, after his daughter. In 1896, John van der Byl bought the farm from Nellmapius and turned it into a successful dairy farm.
I bought the best tasting Curry Mince Vetkoek from The Deli that I have ever had. Delicious curry mince and fat, soft vetkoek. I wished that I had bought a 2nd one. Sat to eat the vetkoek by a picturesque dam with ducks. I also bought chilli sauce and Msobo jam to take back home to Durban for my husband.
Why visit Irene Farm?
- The Dairy – Buy farm fresh milk
- The Deli – Locally produced delicacies
- The Deck – Coffee shop style restaurant
- The Barn – Family friendly restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.
- Conference and Functions
- Activities at Irene Farm
- Watch milking (daily 3pm), watch calves being born, see the baby calves, little calves and the young cows.
- Wishing Fountain – proceeds are donated to local charities.
- Kids Playground – jungle gym and old tractors.
- Feed the birds – buy a bag of corn kernels at The Deli
- Buy a boat – assemble and paint a boat that can be bought from The Deli. Watch the boat float down the moat to the dam.
- River walk – stroll down the tree lined brick road or ride your bicycle and do the river loop.
Please note :
- No own food or drinks, No camping chairs, No dogs and No blankets.
- If you are visiting for a photoshoot, a donation of R350 to the Jan Smuts Museum is asked for in return. Arrange in advance with the office across from The Deli or phone 021 6671000.
- Cashless. All major credit and debit cards accepted.
- Working dairy farm – Entry is entirely at your risk.
Opening Times :
Monday to Sunday 7am – 6pm
Gates close at 6pm.
MELROSE HOUSE
Melrose House was built in 1886 by businessman George Jesse Heys (born in Durban 1852.) George and his wife Emma named the house after Melrose Abbey in Scotland which had impressed them after a honeymoon visit.
During the Second Boer War (1899–1902), the Heys offered the house to the government after Pretoria was invaded in June 1900. Lord Roberts, Commander of the British forces occupied the house until he handed over command to Lord Kitchener on 29th November 1900.
The Peace Treaty of Vereeniging, which ended the war, was signed in the dining room of the house at 10:30pm on 31 May 1902. Seated around the dining table was Lord Milner, Lord Kitchener, Acting President S.W. Burger, the State Secretary F.W. Reitz, Commandant-General Louis Botha, General J.H. de la Rey, Mr. J.C. Krogh, General L.J. Meyer, Acting President C.R. de Wet, General C.H. Olivier, General J.B.M. Hertzog and Acting Government Secretary W.J.C. Brebner.
The table on which the treaty was signed can be seen in the museum, and an example of the peace treaty is also on display.
The mansion stands as a superb example of the transition between the Victorian and Edwardian architectural styles. The interior is characterised by colourful stained glass windows, paintings by English artists, carpets in rich colours, ornate ceilings and fireplaces, as well as valuable porcelain ornaments. The majority of these items belonged to the Heys family itself.
Architect : W.T. Vale
Visiting hours :
Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Physical address :
275 Jeff Masemola Street, Pretoria. Free parking is available at 280 Scheiding Street to the south of the museum.
Admission :
Adults R25,00
Pensioners and students R12,00
Learners R7,00
No credit card facilities available.
SORCERY COFFEE
Seeing all the amazing photos of the Sorcery Coffee Roasters Ruins is what put it on the must visit list when I was up in JHB. I already knew the coffee would be good as I had tried their coffee before.
The Ruins is a coffee roastery but they also offer light meals and sweet treats. I had a delicious biltong mini quiche, a flat white and a cappuccino.
Sorcery Ruins is situated in the Bronberg Mountain Range and has wonderful views over the ridge and suburbs of Pretoria.
I bought 2 boxes of coffee beans.
No booking required
Fee for photoshoots
Kids and small pets welcome
Address :
Sorcery Ruins
3 Diep in die Berg
Wapadrand, Pretoria
Opening Times :
Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm
Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm
Public holidays 9am – 5pm
The next time I’m in JHB I will visit their 2nd location : Sorcery Colbyn 198 Bernard Street, Colbyn, Pretoria.
CUPOCAFE
Breakfasts, light meals, sweet treats, smoothies, milkshakes …………. and lots of coffee choices. Yes you can just order a cappuccino but maybe you want to step out of your comfort zone and order a coffee brewing demonstration at your table. Coffee brewing methods such as AeroPress, Siphon or Nanopresso.
I would have loved to have had a coffee brewing demonstration but our visit to Cupocafe was our last stop before heading back to Jhb. So I ordered a cappuccino and a mini lemon meringue. I did have time to take a look at the bags of coffee beans and chose 2 to take with me back home to KZN.
Address :
711 Sefako Makgatho Dr, Montana, Pretoria, 0151
Opening Times :
Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm
Sunday 8am to 3pm
There are a lot more coffee shops in Pretoria that I would love to visit and I look forward to another day trip to Pretoria the next time I visit my sister in Jhb.