Waterkloof Equestrian Farm

Cape Winelands magic

Tucked into the folds of the Paarl Valley, in the heart of the Cape Winelands, lies a lifestyle farm for sale that feels like it belongs to another time. At Waterkloof Equestrian Farm, a gentle rhythm of horse hooves, rustling oaks and shifting mountain light defines the day. This is a countryside horse estate for sale where life feels both expansive and deeply rooted, a wonderful find in this storied valley.

A home with history

The main farmhouse, over 130 years old, carries its history in every stone and beam. Extensively renovated in 2014 and lovingly maintained, it retains the romance of age while offering generous, light-filled spaces for modern family life. Like all grande dames, it now whispers for a fresh touch here and there – an invitation for new custodians to shape its next chapter.

The broad verandah looks out over paddocks, a saltwater pool glimmers in the sun and, inside, four bedrooms, a reading room and lofty upstairs quarters offer both privacy and gathering space.

The owner reflects: “I’ve always loved sitting out under the old oak trees, just listening to the sounds of the farm. There’s a serenity here you can’t really describe – it has to be felt.”

Space to breathe

There is plenty of accommodation on the farm. The original manor house has served as a family home and a holiday hideaway that was an instant hit with international visitors looking for a tranquil sanctuary in the Winelands. 

In addition to the two cottages the owner built next to the dam, she completely renovated another cottage next to the stable. Staff accommodation, storerooms and garages provide the practical backbone of a working lifestyle farm for sale.

“It’s not just a property – it’s a way of living. I simply love being outdoors, so this farm has been a dream. I start the day on the stoep, watching the early sunlight glowing on the mountains. The garden is huge, filled with a bounty of fruit trees – lemons, figs, guava, limes, pomegranates, granadillas and olives. There’s nothing better than a long walk with the dogs, checking to see what’s ready to be harvested. 

“We cool off in the pool in the heat of summer – although the house itself is deliciously cool in the Winelands heat. In the evening, we stroll up the hill to watch the sunset and take in the long views all the way to Table Mountain.”

For the horses

Waterkloof is first and foremost an equestrian farm for sale, beautifully equipped for serious riders and relaxed weekend riders alike. A 40x60m arena with a sand, rubber and fibre mix footing, a dedicated lunging arena, wash bays and well-kept stables make it an equestrian dream.

There are 27 paddocks, thoughtfully irrigated and sheltered, with solar-powered fencing, water troughs and feed buckets already in place. Together, the stables include 13 boxes, plus a tack room. A tractor, jumps, special arena rakes, trailers and a two-seater ATV are included – just some of the details that transform passion into ease.

Nature’s beauty

However, Waterkloof is more than a horse farm for sale in the Winelands! The beautiful land rolls across 13 hectares of paddocks, with dams and plenty of fruit trees. Old oaks stand sentinel, shading corners where you can linger on hot days. Two natural dams reflect the sky and attract birdlife. The surrounding Paarl mountains shift from gold to pink to indigo as the sun moves – a living canvas at the edge of every window and verandah.

The owner describes it best: “Every season here is different. The winters are crisp and beautiful, the summers alive with light. There’s always something growing, always something blooming.”

A gentle invitation

Like all grande dames, Waterkloof carries her years with grace, yet hints at places where a new hand might add polish – an invitation rather than a demand. This is part of its beauty: it’s a canvas ready for fresh chapters, while holding the grace of generations past. “I think whoever comes next will fall in love, just as I did,” says the owner. “It’s a place that draws you in and never really lets you go.”

For those seeking a lifestyle farm for sale in the Cape Winelands, Waterkloof Equestrian Farm is more than a countryside estate; she is a grande dame awaiting her next chapter, offering not just land and stables, but a way of life in sync with the seasons. A tapestry of horses, trees, mountains and family gatherings, where the air is fresher, the nights quieter and the days are touched by timeless light.

What are the property details?

• Farm size: 13 hectares
• Dwellings’ size: 1 076m²
• Manor house, 3 cottages & clubhouse (12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms)
• Staff accommodation (2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom)
• Garages
• Guest/staff bathroom
• 2 natural dams
• 27 paddocks
• Stables (including 13 boxes)
• Tack room
• Storerooms (feed room, tack room)
• Lunge arena (including washing area for horses)
• Main arena (40m x 60m)