Imhoff Farm, located in the picturesque Kommetjie area of Cape Town, is a charming destination that offers a blend of natural beauty, delicious food, and unique experiences. It’s the perfect spot for a day trip with friends, family, or a loved one. The variety of activities here is amazing. Whether you’re in the mood to relax, explore, or eat something delicious, there’s no shortage of things to do.
The farm boasts a beautiful vineyard and a sea view that is simply magnificent. It’s a peaceful retreat with an atmosphere that makes you feel instantly at home.
If you haven’t yet visited Imhoff Farm, I highly recommend adding it to your list. The beautiful combination of nature, activities, food, and culture makes it a must-visit spot. Imhoff Farm is a wonderful, family-friendly destination that blends natural beauty, delicious food, and unique experiences.
To truly appreciate Imhoff Farm, it’s essential to understand its rich history, which dates back to the era of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
Origins in the Dutch East India Company
In 1741, the Directors of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) decided to stop anchoring at Table Bay due to its deadly winter storms. In 1743, the company sent Baron Gustav Wilhelm von Imhoff to Cape Town. He was appointed as Governor General of the Dutch East Indies and Commisioner Extra-ordinaire at the Cape. His task was to set up a refreshment station and harbor facility in Simon’s Bay and to provide food for ships calling at the Cape.
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Christina Rousseau (nee Diemer), a widow who farmed cattle and vegetables in the southern Peninsula and supplied ships from her farm Zwaansweide (Steenberg), approached Von Imhoff. She requested a grant of land in the Simon’s Town area. Von Imhoff granted her a piece of land above Simon's Bay called the ‘Goede Gift’. The ‘Kommetjie land’ and a piece of land now known as ‘Noordhoek’ were also granted to her.
In honor of Baron von Imhoff, the farm's name was eventually changed to ‘Imhoff's Gift’. The terms of the grant stipulated that vegetables grown on the farm had to be supplied to the Company at a fixed price. This was crucial for supplying fresh produce to ships anchored in Simon's Bay.
Imhoff Farm offers a quick one-stop retail spot for all your needs
Evolution Through the Years
Over the years, the farm had various owners, but in 1912, it was taken over by the Van der Horst family, who still own it today. They lived on the farm and used it to farm cows and produce milk.
The 50 years after the proclamation of the town of Kommetjie in 1903 were relatively uneventful. Then in 1958, a runaway bushfire swept across the valley and burnt the farmhouse to the ground. Less than 10 years later, in 1967, another portion of the farm was expropriated by the apartheid government to form the township of Ocean View.
Modern-Day Imhoff Farm
The dairy and livestock farming of the past is no longer viable on this once remote stretch of land. Having been restored after the fire, the farmhouse and its surrounding buildings were subsequently opened to the public to visit and enjoy. The old homestead now houses the Blue Water Café. The stables, silo, smithy, slave quarters, and milking sheds are occupied by local artists and various craft, furniture, and food shops.
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During a visit, one can enjoy a variety of activities:
- Restaurants and Cafes: Enjoy a relaxed meal with a view at the Blue Water Cafe or treat yourself to a delicious cake at the Free Range Coffee Shop & Deli.
- Higgeldy Piggeldy Farmyard: Spend time at the Higgeldy Piggeldy Farmyard, which is a fun experience, especially for families.
- Horseback Riding: Imhoff offers horse riding, including beach rides.
- Shops and Stores: There’s a wine shop, a thrift store, a nursery with beautiful plants, and a bookstore.
For families, Imhoff Farm is particularly appealing. There’s a play park for the kids and a petting zoo where they can interact with the animals.
You can easily spend just a few hours here or make it a full day trip. It really depends on what you’re in the mood for. If you’re short on time simply grab an ice cream. If you have lots of time have a meal and enjoy some horse riding or a stroll through the shops.
Imhoff Farm: A Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1743 | Baron Gustav Wilhelm von Imhoff sent to Cape Town by the Dutch East India Company |
| 1743 | Christina Rousseau granted land, farm named ‘Imhoff's Gift’ |
| 1912 | Taken over by the Van der Horst family |
| 1958 | Farmhouse burnt down in a bushfire |
| 1967 | Part of the farm expropriated to form Ocean View township |
| Present | Farmhouse restored and opened to the public with various shops and activities |
Saskia Noor van Imhoff's Artistic Connection
Conceptual artist Saskia Noor van Imhoff has explored the systems and structures that undergird collecting and valuation. Known for her site-specific installations, she examines the architecture of objects within a space, presenting them in a non-hierarchical way that forces the viewer to reassess how we organize and classify the world around us.
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Her studio is located on an old farm situated in the Gaasterland, in the southwest corner of Friesland, in the Netherlands. The property consists of 2.5 acres of land with a farmhouse from 1873 that her family lives in. Saskia Noor van Imhoff’s studio is located in a 19th-century dairy barn. The plot is surrounded by rolling grasslands, old forests, IJsselmeer (Lake IJssel), bird reserves, and the Frisian Lakes.
Van Imhoff has planted nearly 4,000 trees on a former dairy farm that she has turned into her studio space. Her work questions predefined notions of animal-human hierarchies and explores how to be a good steward of something so vast.
Berthold von Imhoff: The Artist
Count Berthold von Imhoff (January 14, 1861 - December 14, 1939), was an artist known for his religious murals and paintings. Born in Germany in 1868, Imhoff immigrated to the United States with his family and settled in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he established a successful art and fresco business. He left Reading in 1914, and made his home and studio in the St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, area in Canada.
In 1926, Imhoff completed what some people consider his masterpiece: the cathedral in Reading, Pennsylvania. Many of the 226 life-sized paintings were started in his studio in Saskatchewan and then transported to Reading where they were then completed by him and his family.
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