Mountain meets sea
There’s something rather clever about Voelklip Villa’s position. Set high against the mountain on a 992m² erf, it looks out across the rooftops to the broad blue sweep of Walker Bay, while the mountain rises immediately behind. Head out through the garden and you can access the mountain paths; head in the other direction and Grotto Beach is just 1,4km away.
“We love that you can soak up the busyness of Hermanus beach life, and then come home to the tranquillity of the garden and our glorious outlook onto the mountains at the back when you’re ready to escape the sun,” the owner says.
And when the southern right whales are in the bay, there’s no need to go looking for them. Upstairs, an entire ‘whale-watching lounge’ has wraparound mountain and sea views – a very comfortable front-row seat, complete with built-in braai and bar.
This is a share for sale in a Hermanus beach house that has been a much-loved family holiday home since Sue Lederle bought it in 1998. The children who grew up holidaying here are adults now, but that long family history is still evident in the way the house works.
Feet firmly up
Voelklip Villa is big – 525m² – but it doesn’t feel grand or too precious. This is a home where sandy feet are expected, children have their own territory and nobody is going to worry if you put your feet on the sofa.
Sue, the renowned interior designer behind Lederle Design, has reimagined the house with her characteristic eye for colour, texture and, importantly, practicality. The result is polished without being remotely uptight: deep sofas, flashes of green and blue, woven lights, patterned fabrics and plenty of personality.
It’s a house designed for being together – but not too together. Three lounges mean grandparents can read somewhere quiet while teenagers commandeer the pool table and younger children disappear into their own play space. Later, everyone can reconvene around the table, pool or braai.
Room for everyone
Six bedrooms sleep up to 10, with four en suite. On the ground floor, the family garden suite is particularly good for parents with young children: one room has double bunks, a cot and playroom, while the adjoining king bedroom shares its bathroom. Another garden-facing bedroom can be configured with twin beds or a king, while a generous sea-facing king bedroom has its own bathroom.
Upstairs, two further king bedrooms make the most of the elevated setting. One opens onto a private patio facing the mountain; the other takes in both mountain and sea.
It’s an easy arrangement for several generations holidaying together – children, cousins, grandparents and friends can all find their corner without anyone feeling as though they’re living on top of one another.
Pick your view
The mountain and ocean in this Overberg holiday house almost compete for attention. The main open-plan living, dining and kitchen area looks seawards, opening onto a patio for lounging and eating outside. On the mountain side, the garden, pool and entertainment areas feel greener and more tucked away, with a covered pizza-oven and braai area ready for long lunches that wander happily into supper.
Upstairs, the mood shifts again. There are two patios, the whale-watching lounge with its indoor braai and bar, and a separate lounge with fireplace and pool table.
This abundance of places to gather is one of the house’s great pleasures. Follow the sun, dodge the wind, find the whales, light the fire – or simply claim a sofa and stay there.
Hermanus on hand
Part of the appeal is how little choosing is required. Mountain holiday or coastal holiday? You get both.
Hiking begins at the back door, while the beach is close enough for spontaneous swims rather than military-style family expeditions. Hermanus itself brings restaurants, shops and whale watching, with the Hemel-en-Aarde wine route nearby for a leisurely day away from the beach.
Then come home, rinse off the salt, put pizzas in the oven and see what the evening light is doing over the bay.
“At home you enjoy the sound of waves in the distance and the tang of the salt air, but at the same time the scent of the fynbos that covers the mountain amphitheatre outside our garden gate. It’s really the best of both worlds,” says the owner.
Your slice of Voelklip
For buyers who love the idea of a Hermanus holiday home but could happily do without managing one for 52 weeks of the year, the share arrangement of Voelklip Villa makes a great deal of sense.
Each share represents 12,5% ownership. Use is organised on a rotational calendar, including access to peak-season stays, while full property management takes care of the house between visits. A monthly levy covers maintenance, utilities and upkeep. If an allocated stay isn’t going to be used, there is also provision for the property to be rented on the shareholder’s behalf, generating income for that shareholder.
In other words, arrive with the family, the beach bags and a good book. The house is ready.
And once you’re here? Your biggest decision may simply be mountain, beach or sofa.
Written by Sally Rutherford
What are the property details?
- Erf size: 992m²
- Dwelling size: 525m²
- 6 bedrooms
- 5 bathrooms (4 en-suite)
- Sleeps up to 14 (10 people in king suites and 4 in children’s bunk room)
- Childminder’s room
- 3 spacious lounge areas
- Entertainment area with plunge pool, braai & pizza oven
- Indoor braai & bar
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Separate laundry & staff room
- Double garage plus parking for 4 cars in driveway
- Basic inverter
- Full alarm