Slow living at its best
A destination that has been a part of a family’s life for decades, for its simplicity of life, its access to the abounding nature and the utter serenity of its surroundings, Churchhaven holds a very dear place in the hearts of the owners of Lagoon House. A place that harbours memories of multigenerational gatherings upon the tepid shores of the lagoon. Dreamy days spent wading about in the warm waters, rowing boats and paddling across the glassy blue. Long bicycle rides along winding dirt tracks, foraging for nature’s treasures and witnessing some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets imaginable. Just as it was so many years ago – a place for family bonds to strengthen and future celebrations to be planned – Churchhaven retains its eminence as the most sacred place to spend time with those we cherish, among the wilderness of the West Coast National Park.
One of the longest-standing original plots, tucked immediately behind the old church, with instant access to the lovely new wooden walkway that escorts you down to the shoreline of the lagoon, this hideaway is a family memoir written in the white sands, whispered across the wild landscape and carried with the coastal air, resting upon its deck. Built by renowned architect Michele Sandilands – who won an award for the intricacies of the design, in keeping with the strict vernacular regulations of the region – Lagoon House pays homage to the simplicity of the existence and the sincerity of the community that prevails at Churchhaven. Set on two levels that are centred around the main open-plan living, cooking and dining spaces, all overlooking the vast landscape of green and blue, four bedrooms, with a fun bunk room for the kids and a cozy room in the attic dart themselves around the cottage.
A lovely cocooning courtyard with an ancient olive tree leads to an additional bedroom. The views draw you out to a long verandah with its outdoor braai, an outdoor shower and sturdy timber roof with a ladder – beckoning those stargazing nights, all huddled around on cushions.
Immersed in nature
Given that the lagoon is under two hours’ drive from Cape Town and completely off-grid and ensconced in nature, your journey there will be as riveting as the days spent beside its waters. Whatever’s on the cards for the day, you’ll rise with the dawn, the resident sunbirds and a hot brew on the verandah. After a morning stretch or long cycle, a swift paddle and a warm swim, a breakfast feasting ensues around the table. Followed by a snooze on the loungers or in the courtyard or in one of the heavenly rooms, dipping in and out of a memoir – different to that of the one that’s unfolding before you. The kids are safe and free. The cooks are inspired and cool-tempered. The game-players are still at it around the long table. The music is rising and falling like the wings of the magnificent birdlife. The breeze is as affectionate as Granny’s warm embrace, reminding you of what holidays beside the lagoon are all about. As the colours shift with the sun’s salute farewell and the skies light up with stars, you’ll climb the ladder and rest on the roof, making wishes and recalling all of the ones coming true. The family memoir continues to write itself into the perfect sands of the lagoon.
What we love!
- The beautiful use of Japanese Cedar timber throughout, that adds to a cozy cabin feel of the home.
- The lovely community and village life of Churchhaven, where the kids can roam free in the wilderness, and the stillness of the surroundings induces hours of tranquility. Experience off-the-grid living, with limited mobile phone accessibility (the church steps sometimes have the best reception) and solar power rules supreme. Most houses rely on rainwater catchment or borehole water driven by solar pumps, and gas for cooking. In winter, fireplaces and ever-faithful wood-burning stoves keep things cosy.
- The layout of the property has been cleverly considered, allowing the eternal views of blue to filter through the open spaces.
- Spending time on the verandah, feasting around the table, playing boardgames or reading on the comfy recliners.
What you need to know…
- There are plenty of wonderful cycling tracks to explore from the property including access to Tsaarsbank beach in Langebaan, where you can dip into the ocean (should you feel the need) and venture back past Geelbek restaurant for a little bite or sip, then back onto the trails.
- Botanists come from around the world to witness the miracle of the annual wildflower season in Postberg, just past Kraalbaai beach. Spring flower dates vary according to winter rainfall, but August and September are usually the best..
- Avid walkers and paleontology buffs might want to do Eve’s Footprints trail, to the site where important fossilised footprints were found in 1995 along the shoreline of Langebaan Lagoon.
- There is plenty to do in the area: if you’re making a day trip of the journey up, why not stop along the way at !Kwa ttu, the San cultural centre, to learn more about the heritage of the San or Bushmen.
- Not a beach day? Take a trip to the recently refurbished fossil museum at the West Coast Fossil Park, an absolute gem for families and not far from Langebaan.
- Please take note of the following gate times for entering and leaving the West Coast National Park:
1 April to 31 August 07:00 to 17:30;
1 September to 31 March 07:00 to 18:30.
No entrance into the park is possible after the gates close in the evenings.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie
<Edited and optimised by Michelle Snaddon>