Keble Estate

Escape to one of the most beautiful historic homes in the scenic Eastern Free State. Keble Estate is a peaceful, self-catering retreat on a working 310-hectare farm with superb mountain walks and a pool. This serene paradise is ideal for family reunions, weddings, retreats and getaways.

The 140 year-old estate sleeps 10 guests in 5 bedrooms and has its own chapel set in a magnificent formal Victorian garden. The Manor House still has original features including woodwork and wainscoting and quaint art-deco taps in the basins and baths. Guests have the entire self-catering estate to themselves.

The first and second bedrooms are located in the Manor House. The first bedroom contains a queen-size bed and the second bedroom contains a double bed. These 2 rooms share a bathroom with a bath, a toilet and a washbasin. The third and fourth bedrooms are located upstairs in the separate Coach House. The third bedroom contains 2 single beds, and the fourth bedroom contains a queen-size bed. These 2 rooms share a bathroom fitted with a bath, a toilet, and a washbasin. The fifth bedroom is set in a garden cottage outside the Coach House and is furnished with 2 three-quarter beds and its own en-suite bathroom with a bath, a toilet and a washbasin.

The large farmhouse kitchen is well-equipped for self-catering with a fridge, stove and oven, microwave, cutlery and crockery. The large separate dining room features a 10-seater dining table and chairs. The spacious lounge offers ample seating as well as a fireplace and a TV.

Guests can relax on the veranda with its magnificent view of the ?Judges Head' sandstone mountain, dine al fresco under the wisteria, visit the horses and sheep at the stables, play snooker or pool on the full-sized table, relax at the pool, or play croquet and boulle.

Mostly, however, guests enjoy the history, ambiance and quiet pleasures of the estate. Keble was founded by Anglican priest, Algernon Harcourt Vernon, in 1882, who had studied Divinity at Keble College, Oxford University. Born in Nottinghamshire, and a direct descendant of William the Conqueror, he came to join his sister, Mother Frances, Mother Superior of the Community of St Michael and All Saints in Bloemfontein, and was priest vicar of the Bloemfontein Cathedral before moving to the Clocolan parish. While In Bloemfontein, he baptised infant J.R.R Tolkien who went on to write Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Homesick and very British, Harcourt Vernon carved a princely estate in the wild Free State with its prolific game. He and his wife Muriel lived at Keble in the English country style. He built the Victorian mansion and a chapel, using beautiful, cut Free State sandstone, and even brought acorns from Sherwood Forest to create a stately oak avenue.
We are pet friendly with some conditions. Please enquire when booking.