Situated on top of the hill in the Dargle Valley, between green paddocks and an enormous indigenous forest, Old Kilgobbin is the perfect haven for those wanting to escape from the hectic pace and pressures of city life. A 132 year old Irish settler farm, Old Kilgobbin was built by Meredith Fannin, a Dubliner whose family first arrived in the 1840s and recognised similarities between this valley and that of their home in Ireland, and so named this area the Dargle. The farm itself is named after a 1200 year old castle on the outskirts of Dublin. The Bronner family now look after the heritage that is Old Kilgobbin.
Austin Roberts, the famous South African ornithologist, was the son of a Fannin daughter and so spent school holidays here with his Uncle Meredith and Aunt Mary exploring the mist belt forests and developing his lifelong passion for birds. We still have Cape Parrots, all 3 species of cranes, Crowned Eagles and 150 listed birds in our valley. Take a walk on this 450 hectare farm and you may see reedbuck grazing on the ryegrass fields, the endangered oribi antelope blending into the hayfields, samango monkeys nibbling on nutgrass at the forest edge, and the shy duiker peeing out of his rocky home near the skinny dip dam. If you arrive home in the moonlight, the pesky porcupine may shake his quills at you and have you running for the cottage door! And of course you will see paddocks full of beautiful black horses because this is the home of Kilgobbin Friesian stud and HorsePlay.
The main cottage, Gobbins Cottage, is a spacious double storey two bedroom home with a large open plan kitchen and a cosy lounge with underfloor heating for those chilly Dargle winters. The kitchen is well equipped with large fridge, oven and hob, microwave and there is a cupboard filled with spices, olive oil, teas, coffees and cookies. The veggie garden is right outside the back door, and you can collect eggs if your egg-finding skills are good (if not, bring your own!!). Climb the wooden stairs, past the Victorian style bathroom (shower and bath), to the large bedroom that has 2 Queen size extra length beds, complete with down duvets and electric blankets, loads of antiques and a great sense of tranquility. The Cubbyhole is a small bedroom equipped with a luxury bundbed complete with electric blankets,, down duvets and patchwork quilts. The cool back veranda, nestled beside the veggie garden and old plum trees, offers a perfect spot for quiet reading. The front veranda is perfect for late breakfasts, lazy lunches, late afternoon G&T’s, and has a forest view to lift your eyes beyond all life’s deadlines.
Gobbins Cottage sleeps 6 guests. Self Catering. No TV. However, CD Player and radio is provided. Non Smoking Only.
(Tanglewood, our wonderful country pub down the road caters for rugby/cricket/sports matches you can’t possibly miss).
A second cottage, the Chicken Coop, is a quaint Victorian style building with stained glass windows and has 2 single beds, a bathroom with shower, a cooking nook, complete with fridge, convection microwave and gas hob, and a closed-in wood and iron veranda that is the cosy lounge and breakfast area. The beds are high and comfortable, layered with down duvets and rose quilts, and as you lounge in the sun streaming through the veranda windows, you can watch the chickens wandering across the lawn towards the veggie garden.
Chicken Coop Cottage sleeps 2 guests. Self Catering. No TV. However, CD Player and radio is provided. Non Smoking Only.
(Tanglewood, our wonderful country pub down the road caters for rugby/cricket/sports matches you can’t possibly miss).
We invite you to come and share the treasures of Old Kilgobbin with us for a while, where the only demands made on you will be those dogs wanting to take you for a walk up the dusty road at dusk.
Each unit has: heaters, electric blankets and hot water bottles, a Radio/CD Player, oven, microwave, fridge/freezer and Braai Facilities.
ACTIVITIES:
* Horseplay – a horse whispering experience. No under 12’s.
* 450 hectares for walks and Mountain Biking.
* Dams to swim in.
* 2 x Dams to Fish in.
* HorsePlay activity on farm.
ALL COTTAGES ARE NON SMOKING.