The Old Rectory is a stunning and quaint boutique hotel situated in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa.
Charming architectural details and centuries of heritage make The Old Rectory Hotel & Spa feel like both a rare find and an intimate home-from-home.
Historical Significance
Plett’s oldest surviving building, The Old Rectory, was identified on a 1777 map as ‘visitor’s accommodation’.
All indications are that from the time the timber shed was reconstructed in 1787, the Old Rectory building next to it was used to house employees of the Dutch East India Company, who supervised the storing of timber in the hout huis (timber shed) and arranged for its shipment to the Cape.
It was not surprising that it was thought necessary to house some military personnel at the Bay (then thought to be a promising harbour) towards the end of the 18th century, because of the unsettled state of affairs in Europe.
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There is no mention in the records of any alterations being made to the militaaren fogies (the house which is the subject of this article) until 1887, when the two wings of the building were joined and a new roof of corrugated iron replaced the worn-out thatch.
The building was later used as a rectory by the Anglican Church in the wake of the English settlers and was occupied by five rectors in succession until the present Rectory was built in 1939.
Key Historical Events and Figures
- 1777: The Old Rectory identified as ‘visitor’s accommodation’ on a map.
- 1787: Reconstructed timber shed and use of Old Rectory to house Dutch East India Company employees.
- 1850s: John Archibald Sinclair and his wife Julia Maria, supporters of the first chapel, resided here.
- 1869: Bishop Gray bought the property for the Church, renaming it The Parsonage or The Rectory.
- 1881: Bishop West Jones stayed at the Rectory and suffered a fall during the consecration of St. Peter’s Church.
- 1913: Author Pauline Smith visited and described the house in detail.
- 1939: The present-day Rectory was built, and the historic building became known as the Old Rectory.
- 1940: The Anglican Church sold the building.
The Old Rectory as a Church Residence
From this date onwards it was known as The Parsonage or The Rectory.
A long succession of gentlemen of the cloth, supporting their families on stipends of £100 a year or less, were to call this building “home” for the next 70 years.
The Rev. Edwin Gibbs occupied it briefly with his wife and children and then on a more permanent basis from 1870 until his death in 1891.
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After Gibbs’s death, the Rectory was occupied by the curate, William Breach (who was never ordained) and his large family until his death in June 1909.
For the following decade the Rev. W. Gratton Sharples was the occupant.
It was during his tenancy, in October 1913, that the famous author, Pauline Smith, and her aunt stayed in the Rectory.
Miss Smith left a detailed description of the house, the approach to it down a precipitous hill, the garden, the furniture and the built-in features.
Of the working quarters she wrote: “The kitchen has no stove but a fireplace about four yards wide and two deep, and about two feet raised, making it a sort of platform.
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Later Ownership and Preservation
From the time that the present-day Rectory, near to the church was built in 1939, the historic building below became known as the Old Rectory.
The Anglican Church sold the building with several acres of land in 1940.
In the almost 40 years she has occupied the house, Mrs Crawford Brunt has made only one structural alteration but has covered the rotting yellowwood ceilings and floors, repaired broken sections of the 60 cm walls and generally done valuable work in keeping the two-centuries-old building in good repair.
The Old Timber Shed was the topic of conversation at the most recent meeting of the Van Plettenberg Historical Society (VPHS) - held on 20 February 2024 - and was a truly historical occasion held, naturally, at the popular Old Rectory.
While we sipped our coffee we could see at the bottom of the garden, the old “Wood Barn” which was used as a temporary church until 1875.
It was here that the Bishop himself conducted services.
In 1881 the new St Peter’s Church was completed, and In 1901 this same Wood Barn was used as a school.
The Old Rectory Today
Boasting just 18 suites, The Old Rectory is the ideal getaway if you are looking for a peaceful, tranquil and personal weekend away or holiday.
Furnished with king-sized beds, suites include a luxurious rain shower, large bath and a private outdoor terrace or garden.
The spa, cosy bar, swimming pool and celebrated restaurant offer enough by way of dining and leisure options that you may never want to leave.
It’s inspiring to see a project and property that has managed to retain the magic and integrity of the original dwellings without sacrificing anything.
The original stone walls, ceiling beams, farm fireplace and much of the structure has been kept and restored.
This site is, after all, the oldest in Plettenberg Bay, and that’s really special.
You’ll see in my photographs an old stone structure which was the property’s original wood-store; there’s talk of restoring this dwelling which I think would make for a breathtaking function venue.
The new boutique hotel offers 18 luxury suites, a restaurant, bar and glorious outdoor swimming pool and deck area.
There’s also a spa for a little well-deserved R&R.
The Old Rectory is perfectly poised literally a stone’s throw from The Wedge, ideal for access to the beach and eliminating travel by car which can be a bit of a schlep in Plett’s busy season.
Even if you’re not staying over, I can strongly recommend a meal at the restaurant, another nice alternative to what the town has on offer.
The Old Rectory Hotel & Spa - 4K video tour of one of Plettenberg Bay's best luxury boutique hotels
Exploring Plettenberg Bay
Plett is not just about beaches, bubbly and good times, although these are available in bucket-and-spades-full.
The coastal golden child of the Garden Route is rich in history and heritage, and visitors to the region can expect to find interesting historic locations to explore.
Mountains crowd close to a shoreline dotted with beaches and bays, and vividly coloured wildflowers delight the eye.
Meandering trails are followed by hikers, the forests invite long, leisurely drives, and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming boating and fishing.
The region provides a stirring study in contrasts.
The delightful town of George, known as "The Gateway to the Garden Route", graces a coastal plateau in a fertile area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains.
Other Historical Sites in Plettenberg Bay:
- Robberg Peninsula: A national monument, nature reserve and Marine Protected Area with the Nelson Bay Cave, an archaeological site dating back 125,000 years.
- Athena Shipwreck: Visible from Robberg Beach.
- São Gonçalo Wreck:A Portuguese East-Indiaman that sank in 1660.
- Forest Hall: A Victorian Manor House built in 1864, declared a National Monument in 1992.
- Van Plettenberg Beacon: Erected in 1778 by Governor Joachim Baron van Plettenberg.
- Timber Shed: Erected in 1786 by the Dutch East India Company.
- St Peters Anglican Church: Established in 1851.
- Beacon Island: Site of whaling operations from 1913 to 1916.
Cultural Sojourn
Plettenberg Bay offers a multitude of varied and unique experiences for all ages.
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