Once upon a beach
A cosy beach bungalow settled along the Southern Peninsula shoreline of Noordhoek, where the waves invigorate, and the village life is as charming as the cottage. Arriving at the alluring little village of Noordhoek, is like stepping into an Enid Blyton’s storybook of a picture-perfect family life in an urban farming community.
Only a thirty-to-forty-minute journey from the centre of Cape Town, along one of the most spectacularly scenic drives in the world – either side of the mountain – this bonny little hamlet awakens every joyful childhood memory of play and stirs them back to life.
Surrounded by mossy green mountains that are veined with winding lanes of old farmhouses, village centres, vineyards, paddocks and stables, soaring oak trees and open fields – where horses and hounds, chickens and children gleefully saunter and skip alongside each other – a long, magnificent stretch of sand with its beautiful blue waves holds centre stage to its audience of beach bungalows freckled about the hilltops that meet the sea.
Tucked into the natural fynbos of the SANParks Nature Reserve, emerging from the dunes – sitting adjacent its paternal homestead of Noordhoek Beach House – Chapmans Beach House looks out over the wetlands, up towards the mountains and all the way out to sea.
Set on two levels of lucid white walls and muted grey floors, French wooden shutters and glass doors. Refined furnishings and quirky home essentials. Clever cabinetry and consciously curated artworks and mementos, that have been sourced by the photographer / interior designer owners’ years of travel, this contemporary hideaway authentically puts the word beach beside bungalow as it settles itself into the sand. With a subtle statement on style, and lets the magic of what’s happening outside do all of the talking.
The three queen bedrooms – one on the ground floor with a separate shower room, while the other two sit upstairs, separated by a spacious bathroom – flank the helm of the home. Where the open-plan kitchen and dining space opens out onto a deck that wraps around the house. Gently cushioning itself into the verdant fynbos and wild olive trees. A cosy living room sits separately, with a TV, a decent collection of inspiring literature, and a little writing desk. Not that you’ll plan on much desk action during your stay at Chapmans Beach House.
Seaside tales and sunny trails
When the sun starts to rise you’ll be out onto the footpaths for a gentle amble along the beach. Witnessing the neighbourhood walking their hounds or trotting along on their horses. After a steaming hot shower on the deck outside you’ll enjoy your second brew down the road in the village. It’s up to you whether you opt for a hike up the mountain or a long cycle into the wilderness. Catch the surf or simply settle on one of the recliners on the deck. Listening to the sounds of the shoreline breeze through the wide open doors of the bungalow.
Time for that late afternoon glass of Chenin, as the chilled lounge tunes echo a mediterranean moment. Accompanied by an antipasti platter-come-tapas extravaganza, sourced from the village deli down the road. The clan’s back from the beach, and even though you had the best intentions of sitting down at the little desk, getting an hour done, there’s always tomorrow. Today you’re still in the pages of Enid Blyton’s Seaside Family. The sun is about to set, the birds are sweeping the skies, the waves are curling endlessly and the merry banter around the table is all that matters right now.
What we love!
- The views of the beach, the natural surroundings and the mountain ranges that transform in colour with each sunset. The property is perfectly positioned so that you can walk out onto the dunes and down the pathways to the beach – from the entrance of the property’s carpark – in under a minute.
- Though the bungalow definitely has the owner’s signature stamp of style and taste, it is not overly cluttered or hoarding beach house paraphernalia unnecessarily. Every room is furnished with intent and adorned with simplicity.
- For those slightly frostier Noordhoek nights, the wood-burning fireplace in the kitchen warms and cosies up the place perfectly. Welcoming the dark clouds above the ocean that dramatically transform the seascape.
- Whatever the weather – a hot shower on the outdoor deck is a beautiful way to start and end the day.
What you need to know…
- Chapmans Beach House sits adjacent the larger property of the owners – Noordhoek Beach House. Chapmans has its very own entrance and parking area, and is perfectly secluded from the main house. Access to the beach, however, can only be achieved by crossing the road entrance and into the dunes.
- Noordhoek Village is only a 5-minute drive away from the property where Chef Franck Dangereux’s Foodbarn Restaurant is. Together with The Roost Coffee Shop, Kristen’s decadent ice-cream, a pub and a playground. A delicatessen, souvenir shops and a yoga studio too.
- For a pint or two of a delicious craft beer, Aegir Brewery is no more than a 15-minute drive away, where the fabulous Italian eatery, Limoncello also sits, beneath the milkwood trees.
- All major supermarkets and large convenience stores are located at the Long Beach Shopping Mall – a 10-minute drive from the property.
- Cape Town’s city centre is no more than a 45-minute drive away, along one of the most scenic routes in the world.
- The property is serviced by a housekeeper and a gardener twice a week. Tending to the necessary errands of restocking wood, cleaning and maintaining the luxury of your holiday.
- For a pizza or some deli shopping, head to Imhoff Farm, that’s no more than a 15-minute drive away from the bungalow. A lovely spot for the whole family to venture to.
- If Chapmans Beach House is not available on your dates, browse our full collection of exclusive-use holiday houses in Noordhoek.
Written by Colleen Ogilvie